In San Francisco’s Cayuga neighborhood, the Cayuga Community Connectors continue to turn strangers into neighbors and neighbors into friends. This intergenerational network of neighbors nurtures the friendships and connections that seniors and people with disabilities need to age and thrive in their own homes.
Join Us! How To Keep Your Brain Healthy at 60, 70, 80+
On Thursday, March 12 at 1:30PM at Bethel Church at 2525 Alemany Blvd, the Cayuga Community Connectors will be hosting a free presentation on keeping your brain healthy as you age. Chris Thompson, PhD, one of California’s top healthy aging doctors, will share the most important things we can do to keep our brains healthy, including activities to strengthen your memory. Translation in Spanish and Cantonese will be available. Download and share flyers in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
“How Saving Cayuga Park United the Neighborhood”
Read more about how the Cayuga Community Connectors started, and what they’ re accomplishing in this great article in the Ingleside Light by Judy Goddess.
The challenge of creating community did not fade with the opening of the park. The Reverend Glenda Hope, community organizer and neighbor, explained: “We wanted to create an infrastructure so people will stay in the community. We don’t want anyone to feel isolated, whether they’re seniors, immigrants, new residents. We wanted to integrate people into the community, to keep our neighborhood together. Our ultimate goal is for people to connect with each other and look out for each other; we want everyone to know they have something to offer. It’s not going to happen by itself. We’ve got to let every person know we’re here. People who thought they had nothing to offer found themselves happily engaged in a network of mutual exchange.”
Celebrating 90th Birthdays
Supervisor John Avalos dropped by one of the Cayuga Connectors’ Always Active senior exercise classes to present two members with a Citation from the City recognizing their 90th Birthday’s. Carmelia Lozano and Joe DiMartini have lived in the Cayuga neighborhood over 100 years combined. John stayed to celebrate with the group, held a discussion regarding the importance of Cayuga Connectors and renewed his commitment to keep it going. He took the time to take a look at photos, current events and group photos posted on the bulletin board at Bethel Church.
Creating Connections Through Neighborhood Activities
In addition to Always Active exercise classes, a walking group, and other regular activities, Cayuga neighbors get together to learn, try new things, and just have fun! To join in, please contact Patti Spaniak at pspaniak@me.com or 646-409-7775.