St Marys Center

TO SERVE EXTREMELY LOW-INCOME SENIORS AND PRESCHOOLERS IN DOWNTOWN AND WEST OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

PROGRAM #1: PRESCHOOL: ST. MARY'S CENTER PRESCHOOL HAS PROVIDED MUCH NEEDED TUITION-FREE PRESCHOOL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. ST. MARY'S CENTER PRESCHOOL IS CERTIFIED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND IS QRIS FIVE STAR RATED FOR QUALITY. ST. MARY'S PRESCHOOL OPERATES 5 DAYS A WEEK ALL YEAR, AND HAS BEEN WELL RECOGONIZED FOR ITS SUMMER SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAMMING. ST. MARY'S CENTER PRESCHOOL IS LICENSED FOR 30 DHILREAN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 3 AND 5.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND SERVICES: SENIORS COME TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR A MEAL AND A GAME OF DOMINOES AND FIND THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN OUR SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES THEY STEADILY IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. OLD FRIENDS WHO HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR DECADES REMINISCE. OTHERS REDUCE LONELINESS BY BONDING WITH NEW FRIENDS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR UNHOUSED SENIORS ARE WELCOMED IN FROM THE ELEMENTS WITH A HOT CUP OF COFFEE AND A SMILE. WE BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH OUR SENIOR INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM, WHICH USES SENIOR FRIENDLY PRACTICES TO RESPOND TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND HELP REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF CHRONIC POVERTY. OUR STAFF WORK WITH SENIORS IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, CANTONESE, AND TAGALOG TO PERFORM COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS TO IMRPOVE CAPACITY TO PERFORM DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES. WE ADDRESS BARRIERS TO HEALTHY LIVING INCLUDING MEDICAL, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION AND FINANCIAL ISSUES AS WELL AS ADDICTION, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. THE WECONNECT PROGRAM PROVIDES ACCESS TO FREE TECHNOLOGY, INTERNET, PERSONALIZED LESSONS AND ONLINE EXPERIENCES WE HELP SENIORS NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF TECHNOLOGY. THE PROGRAM'S GOAL IS TO REDUCE ISOLATION BY SAFELY CONNECTING SENIORS TO FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND THEIR ST. MARY'S CENTER COMMUNITY, CREATING NEW CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION VIA ZOOM, TEXTING AND EMAIL.

PROGRAM #2: SENIOR HOUSING SERVICES: SENIORS FIND AN ADVOCATE, CRUCIAL RESOURCES, AND THE WAY HOME WITH ST. MARY'S CENTER SENIOR HOUSING SERVICES. ADULTS 55 YEARS AND OLDER, WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, CAN MEET WITH AN INTAKE WORKER TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY AND OPPORTUNITY. WE PROVIDE INTAKES INTO ALAMEDA COUNTY'S HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (HMIS) AND COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM (CES.) THROUGH HMIS AND CES, ST. MARY'S CENTER CAN TRACK SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER AGENCIES AND SUPPORT SENIORS IN ACCESSING URGENT NEEDED SERVICES. CASE MANAGERS WORK WITH CLIENTS TO COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION, INCOME VERIFICATION, HEALTH CARE ACCESS, AND HOUSING APPLICATIONS.

PROGRAM #3: TRADITIONAL HOUSING: SENIORS 55 AND OLDER TAKE THE NEXT STEP ON THEIR JOURNEY TO A PERMANENT HOME THROUGH ST. MARY'S CENTER'S TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS HAVE INDIVIDUAL ROOMS, AND SHARE BATHROOMS, KITCHENS, AND COMMON AREAS. MONTHLY PROGRAM FEES ARE CAPPED AT 30% OF INCOME. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE SHELTERED WHILE ACTIVELY SEEKING HOUSING, SECURING DOCUMENTATION, AND PREPARING FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING. EVERY SENIOR IS CONNECTED WITH A CASE MANAGER, HOUSING NAVIGATION AND OTHER SUPPORTS. WEEKLY HOUSE MEETINGS AND INDIVIDUAL WORK WITH CASE MANAGERS SUPPORT THE SENIOR'S INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN TO BECOME AND REMAIN HOUSED.