Social Accountabilit y
2013–2014
EPISCOPAL SENIOR COMMUNITIES
1965 - 2015
As Episcopal Senior Communities
approaches its 50th anniversary, we
take this opportunity to reflect on
past success and look to the future.
W
e are proud of our heritage and our ongoing
mission to serve the senior population, a
commitment which began in 1965 with the opening
of our first community in Pacific Grove. A short time
later, at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Senior
Resources began linking services to seniors to help
them remain healthy in their homes.
Fifty years later we have grown and changed,
but are still guided by our original commitment.
The original John Tenant Memorial
Home in Pacific Grove.
“87% of people 65 years and older want to remain living
in their home, in the community in which they reside.”
— AARP Public Policy Report, April 2014
2 | Social accountability 2013–2014
T
his year we celebrated our history by combining
This past year, we made exciting
our Home & Community Based Services programs
progress in the West Grove expansion
under one name: Senior Resources. In response to
at our largest continuing care
changing demographics, we created the position
retirement community in Santa Rosa,
of Director of Diversity Initiatives, to emphasize
Spring Lake Village. It includes 62
inclusivity and ensure that services and programs
new accommodations that feature
support all seniors’ lifestyles and cultures. Building
larger living spaces to meet changing
on our long-standing practice of offering supportive
consumer preferences. We opened
services to the seniors in our affordable housing
the Bistro at Spring Lake Village and
communities, ESC has grown its successful Resident
updated the dining room to provide
Services Coordinator program and now serves seniors
more dining choices. Additionally,
throughout California. Senior Resources @ Home is
to support our residents’ healthy
our newest business initiative, providing non-medical
lifestyles, we opened the new
Home Care in Sonoma and Marin counties, with plans
Montgomery Center, which serves
to expand to San Francisco and Alameda counties.
as an auditorium and fitness center
for the community.
Episcopal Senior Communities
continues to respond to seniors’
desire to age successfully in their
own communities, and to anticipate
and meet additional needs through
ongoing innovation. There have been
significant changes over the last
fifty years, but our commitment to
Social Accountability and service has
never wavered. We are pleased to
share our mission with you.
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A
s ESC’s flagship community program, Senior Resources provides innovative and creative
service models to address the changing needs of seniors in seven Bay Area counties.
Some of our volunteers bring groceries to seniors who can’t leave their homes, while others
offer telephone reassurance in both Spanish and Italian. Seniors gather at community halls
in churches to enjoy nutritious meals, educational programs, and interaction with their
neighbors. Exercise classes promote wellness and also serve as community gathering-places.
The Pantry of Hope provides much needed food and a friendly smile.
Preventing Social Isolation
INformation and assistance
As a volunteer for the Home Delivered Grocery
Program, I am often the only person my senior
client sees all week. I also notice if there are
health changes or safety issues in the home.
I appreciate having the Pantry of Hope as
a place to go to fill all my needs: I get food
as well as other necessary resources.
— Senior Volunteer
4 | Social accountability 2013–2014
— Senior Resources Client
Emergency Funding
I can’t tell you how relieved I was
when I went to pay the PG&E bill
with the last of my money and
found it had already been taken
care of by ESC.
— Senior Resources Client
Senior Resources serves
specific needs in each county
through unique programs and
partnerships, including:
• Durable Medical Equipment,
Monterey County
• linkAges Volunteer Program with
Palo Alto Medical Foundation,
Santa Clara Country
• Always Active Exercise Program,
San Francisco County
• Monthly Senior Lunch at
St. Augustine's Episcopal Church,
Alameda County
• L atin Moments, Contra Costa County
• Telephone Reassurance, Marin County
• Sonoma County Interfaith Alliance,
Sonoma County
Home safety
For the last five years, ESC’s partnership with
Rotary HOME Team has provided seniors
assistance with common household repairs at
no cost. Contra Costa County Director Patt
Schroeder was named a Paul Harris Fellow by
the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
for her important work in keeping seniors safe in
their homes. “It’s an honor for me to work with
such a great group of men who do such good
things in the community,” says Patt.
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SENIOR PRODUCE MARKETS
E
ach week our Senior Produce Markets
allow seniors to purchase affordable,
quality produce at wholesale prices, as
well as meet friends, volunteer, and
gather resources. Held in affordable
housing communities, senior centers and
churches, our markets enable seniors on
fixed incomes to purchase just what they
need—whether it’s half a cantaloupe, a
couple of oranges, or a single stalk of
celery—while also building connections
and community.
Number of Shoppers
Number of Spoken
Languages
Number of Volunteers
Transactions Made to
buy untold Pounds of
Fresh Fruit & Veggies
Number of Senior
Produce Markets
Number of Counties
1,500
8
350
51,370
22
7
6 | Social accountability 2013–2014
The market allows us
to volunteer and give back
to the community.
— Market Volunteer
I began coming to the market soon
after it opened. It’s a wonderful respite
for me since my late husband had
dementia. I cherish the opportunity
and the socialization provided
by the market.
— Senior Shopper
SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT WALLS
O
ur award-winning program builds friendship
and community 365 days a year. Senior Center
Without Walls offers telephone activities, friendly
conversation, and an assortment of classes and
support groups to older adults in California who find
it difficult to participate in events in their community.
Seniors can participate in the free activities from their
homes, using their own telephones or via our new
on-line programs.
We are excited about our new partnership with the
Veterans’ Administration in Palo Alto to develop
activities for older Veterans, especially in rural
counties such as San Benito, Calaveras and Tuolumne.
90 volunteer facilitators led
approximately 2,393 groups serving over 800
seniors ranging in age from 55 to 97 years old
across 37 counties in California. The program
Over the last year,
operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Senior Center Without Walls gives me a
hopeful reason to get up each day…thank
you! What a thrill for a hard-of-hearing,
visually impaired, ninety year old.
— Senior Center Without Walls Participant
Award-Winning Program
2010 J efferson Award for Public Service,
San Francisco Bay Area
2009 Citation of Honor from the
International Association of Homes
and Services for the Ageing
2008 MindAlert Award from the
American Society on Aging and
MetLife Foundation
2008 G
old and Silver Award from
the City of Oakland
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ElderWISE
(Working in Service to Elders)
ESC’s Friendly Visitor program, ElderWISE, serves to alleviate the loneliness and depression
that are all-too-common among seniors. ElderWISE matches isolated seniors with trained
volunteers who commit to two visits each month—but it is customary for the participants to
visit more often and develop genuine friendships. We are excited to work with new partners
and launch the program in at least two new counties this year.
THE 8 LANGUAGES OF ElderWISE
Hello Friend
Ciao amico
Sai Bai dee, mu
English
Italian
Laotian
Hola amigo
Hello ban be ’
Spanish
Every time I leave Gertrude she
makes a big point to thank me for
stopping by. It makes me realize
the impact I make in her otherwise
solitary life at home.
—ElderWISE Volunteer
Vietnamese
Bonjour ami
Péngyou ni hao
French
Chinese
Annyeonghaseyo
chingu
Korean
Partnering with ElderWISE continues
to be an amazing experience as we
collectively train volunteers who
reflect the rich diversity of San
Francisco and the Bay Area older
adult community.
—O
penhouse Program Manager,
Scott Jay Haitsuka
Based on a study in 2010, scientists believe “social isolation is as bad
for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”
8 | Social accountability 2013–2014
Shared Housing
Fewer housing resources coupled with many seniors’ desire to live at home motivated
ESC to pilot its Shared Housing program in Marin. It successfully matches homeowners
with home seekers in exchange for reduced rent or an exchange of services. It’s a
win-win situation enabling seniors to save on costs, build new relationships, and enjoy
stable housing.
Shared housing is a communityfocused solution that fosters
social connectedness and creates
mutually beneficial relationships.
— Former US Secretary of HUD,
Henry Cisneros
Your program touches people’s
lives in such a positive way.
Thank you forever for helping
me find a ‘home’ again.
— A Home Seeker
Just a quick word of thanks and
appreciation for putting me in
touch with my tenant—it has been
a great fit and I thoroughly enjoy
having her share my home.
— A Home Owner
72 million Baby Boomers are turning
65 at the rate of 10,000 a day—1/3
are struggling with where to live on
fixed incomes.
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Continuing Care
Retirement Communities
I
n seven counties, from the Monterey
Peninsula to Sonoma County, just over
1,500 residents live in our six continuing care
retirement communities, where we provide a
My life and the lives of many of our
residents are being immeasurably
enhanced by the changes here at Spring
Lake Village that focuses on the wellness
of both body and mind.
— Resident Joan Bossart
continuum of residential and innovative aging
services that actively promote intellectual,
physical, social and spiritual wellbeing.
At Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa, the
exciting West Grove expansion is nearing
completion. The 62 new living accommodations
will soon be occupied and the Montgomery
Center has already opened to great excitement
and is being enjoyed by many residents. It
houses a pool and fitness center, with flexible
spaces for classes such as Pilates, yoga, and
tai chi.
Volunteerism
is central to the life of many
ESC residents. In recognition
The whole community came out to support
National Safe Night Out! Organized by
Alameda County Senior Resources Director
Carolyn Bolton, this festive event was
supported by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,
St. Paul’s Towers staff and residents, and
Senior Center Without Walls staff.
10 | Social accountability 2013–2014
of his contributions, Jack Shnider
of Los Gatos Meadows was
presented with the Lila Lee Atkin
Volunteer Service Award from
County Supervisor
Mike Wasserman.
Affordable Housing
W
e have long understood that
English, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Thai, and
it takes much more than bricks
American Sign Language to better serve close to 2,750
and mortar to build a community.
residents in 20 communities across California.
Over the last year, staff members have
devoted their energies, resources, and
expertise to build a strong Resident
Services Coordinator (RSC) program
that supports both seniors who
live in ESC’s six affordable housing
communities, as well as residents
across the state. The RSCs receive at
least 36 hours of training to meet the
challenging needs of the residents
they serve, ensuring access to services
and enhancing seniors’ lives. Our 24
Resident Services Coordinators speak
Finding resolutions for difficult situations for my residents
is one of the main reasons I love doing what I do!
— Resident Services Coordinator
The garden at Oak Center Towers in Oakland had always been central
to residents’ lives—but after a year-long major renovation, it is
now a place of beauty that also provides purpose and enjoyment.
The garden boxes are higher so
it's easier on our backs. With the
tables and benches it is great for
eating sandwiches and coffee
at lunch while having fellowship
with old friends.
— OCT Resident
Gardening is good exercise
for seniors because it
provides the opportunity to
plant vegetables and then
harvest them.
— Resident Services
Coordinator
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Senior Resources @ Home
S
enior Resources @ Home (SR@H) provides
one-on-one non-medical care to seniors
in their private homes and in assisted living,
skilled nursing, and memory care facilities
in Marin and Sonoma Counties. SR@H has
partnered with many nonprofit, private, and
government agencies, including the Sonoma
County Adult and Aging Department,
Becoming Independent in Santa Rosa, and
has participated in the 911 First Responders
Project with the San Rafael Fire Department.
As SR@H staff work in the community, they
raise awareness of Senior Resources’ many
charitable programs that allow seniors to age
in place in the communities they call home.
We value the many
benefits of our partnership
with Senior Resources @ Home
through the 911 First Responder
Project. Their helpful program
really complements our emergency
medical services by assisting
seniors with many of
life’s challenges.
— San Rafael Fire Chief,
Christopher Gray
12 | Social accountability 2013–2014
We so appreciate
the positive
attitudes of your
caregivers and
their willingness
to tackle our
challenging cases.
— Becoming
Independent
Service Director,
Tim Mead
DARBY BETTS FUND
The Darby Betts Fund was created by Episcopal Senior Communities and the Episcopal
Diocese of California to support senior service programs. This year, $85,000 was distributed
to 18 nonprofits and church parishes who work to provide nutrition, alleviate social isolation,
and support seniors as they age successfully in their homes.
Providing Food and
Nutrition
Supporting Seniors As
They Age in Place
Alleviating Social
Isolation
The Living Room, Santa Rosa
Bethlehem Lutheran Church,
Oakland
Saint Giles Episcopal Church,
Moraga
Episcopal Community Services,
San Francisco
Sonoma Section on Aging
St. John’s Episcopal Church,
Marysville
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church,
Walnut Creek
Trinity Center, Walnut Creek
St. Michael and All Saints,
Walnut Creek
Berkeley Food and Housing
Epiphany Lutheran Episcopal
Church, Marina
Pantry of Hope, Oakland
Church of Incarnation,
Santa Rosa
St. George’s Episcopal Church,
Salinas
St. Dorothy’s Rest, Conference
and Retreat Center of the
Episcopal Diocese
Senior Access, Marin
AEMCH, Albany
CIC, Santa Clara County
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Last year, in 37 counties
across California, in 20
Affordable Housing
Communities and
TELLING OUR STORY THROUGH NUMBERS
S
ocial Accountability is a deeply held value at ESC. Last year, the
Retirement Communities,
committed a total of $3.5 million to
provide life changing support for seniors across
the state of California. Of that amount, ESC spent almost $1.6
through Rotary Home
million to support Senior Resources and enhance programs at our
Team and Telephone
Affordable Housing communities; the ESC Foundation raised close to
six Continuing Care
organization
Reassurance, in our 22
$400,000 to supplement those efforts.
Senior Produce Markets
In keeping with its mission and promise to residents, ESC
and every
day on the
provided
just over $1.5 million towards Residents' Assistance.
phone with Senior Center
This commitment continues to give residents the security they need
Without Walls, in one-time
to thrive and live full lives.
encounters and through
on-going daily support, at
countless lunches and
educational presentations,
through our outstanding
employees and working
with valued partners,
Episcopal Senior
Communities had
the privilege of
making a difference
in the lives of over
15,000 seniors.
14 | Social accountability 2013–2014
Marin Senior Resources/NIEP is a prime example of community
collaboration. Sincere thanks to the Marin Community Foundation,
Supervisor Judy Arnold, the City of Novato, the Area Agency on
Aging, and Community Development Block Grant funding for
on-going support for critical programs which help Marin seniors
successfully age in community.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
I
n Monterey County, Episcopal Senior Communities received the
Giving Tree Award from Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula
“for the outstanding support that ESC offers to partner agencies,
seniors, and their families.”
For the fifth year in a row, ESC is
proud to be voted one of the Best
Places to Work in the Bay Area by
the San Francisco Business Times.
Mary Anna Colwell, a
resident at St. Paul’s
Towers in Oakland,
was the recipient of
LeadingAge California's
L
Community Service of
ooking to the future, ESC is developing future leaders in the field of
the Year award. “Ever
Aging Services. We are thrilled that Connie Yuen, Program Coordinator
since I moved into St.
at St. Paul’s Towers in Oakland, and Jen Arent, Director of Senior Resources
Paul’s Towers in 2002,
for Sonoma County, were both accepted into EMERGE, Leading Age’s
I have been interested
comprehensive, year-long leadership development program. “This
in learning more about
program has become a catalyst in changing the way I approach issues
care for older people
within my county and the ability to become a better leader within my
like me. That has led me
community. It has been an honor to have this opportunity,” says Jen.
to my involvement as a
volunteer representative
to the ESC Board and a
On its first anniversary,
Stoneman Village
Senior Produce Market
in Pittsburg received
a commendation from
the California State
Assembly.
resident member of the
LeadingAge California
Board. I’ve learned a lot
and enjoyed doing it.”
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Where we serve
With programs and services in 37 counties throughout the state,
Episcopal Senior Communities cultivates and builds healthy
communities for seniors far beyond the walls of our buildings.
2185 N. California Blvd. • Suite 575
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925.956.7400
•
www.jtm-esc.org
© 2014 Episcopal Senior Communities