Bears for Elder Welfare

Amistad House

Having a good quality and affordable place to live is a basic necessity, but there is more to a high quality of life than housing. People need social connections, outlets for creative expression and opportunities for healthy living.

The goal of Satellite Housing’s volunteer program is to create opportunities to enhance the quality of life, promote health and well-being, and foster community among our senior residents. This can take the form of arts and crafts classes, bingo games, English-as-a-Second-Language classes, group exercise classes, and more.

Harper's Crossing

Harper’s Crossing is a 42-unit senior development located northeast of Ashby BART station. There is residential living space and community room with computers and an outdoor landscaped courtyard. Harper’s Crossing residents love to be active and therefore B4EW volunteers get the privilege of going on walking groups with these elders where they dish on the latest nursing home gossip. It is a great opportunity to form great friendships with elders as your walking partners!

Belmont Village Senior Living

Belmont Village is a Summer 2017 newly opened assisted living home right across from University Village in Albany. The community is affiliated with the UC Berkeley Retirement Center on campus, giving B4EW a special opportunity to incorporate their Golden Bear spirit to engage with Cal alumni and other residents at Belmont. Thanks to the University, we have common grounds with many of the seniors here to share the Berkeley we know now with people who have seen it at a different time. There is room for creativity with this new connection--we are in coordination with the activities director to host events such as a one-on-one mentorship and aging-themed theatrical reads, and also to hopefully participate with their unique Circle of Friends, an activities program for residents who have dementia.

Center for Elders' Independence

Center for Elders' Independence is a non-profit organization that provides community-based, long-term care to elders in East Bay. Established in 1992, Center for Elders' Independence has strived to serve frail seniors, fulfill their needs, and enable residents to enjoy a higher quality of life. More specifically, CEI's main mission is to provide health care services to elderly with care giver needs but prefer not to move into a nursing home. At Bears for Elder Welfare, we coordinate with CEI to host, participate, and volunteer at various activities and events to entertain and interact with elders, contributing to improving their overall quality of life.

Stagebridge

Stagebridge is America's oldest and most renowned theater company of older adults. Based in Oakland and established in 1978, the company's mission is to transform the lives of older adults and their communities through performing arts. Stagebridge offers Creative Aging programs that provide elders a chance to learn and participate in performing arts, and also continue to contribute to communities around them. Classes and programs are offered for all elders -- both active and frail, who subsequently have the opportunities to produce theater works to showcase their talents. Volunteering at the Oakland location, Bears for Elder Welfare members facilitate the organizations of activities, teach workshops, and at the same time learn from the elders and their stories.

Kyakameena

Kyakameena is a local skilled nursing facility in South Berkeley. It is staffed with caring nurses and physical therapists who provide excellent care to its residents. In fact, it is rated one of the Best Nursing Homes by U.S. News. We are anticipating various upcoming volunteer opportunities, especially for the weekends! If reading stories, playing charades, and having holiday dances with elders sounds like a fun afternoon to you, be sure to sign up for events here.

North Berkeley Senior Center

The North Berkeley Senior Center caters towards adults 55 and older in the Berkeley community. The Center provides various services, social programs, and recreational facilities. The staff is both loving and knowledgeable, being able to both care for elder adults and provide assistance on income tax! The mission of The Senior Center is to empower Berkeley seniors by helping them to remain active, healthy, and independent. If this sounds like something you are passionate about, join other B4EW members and volunteer at The Senior Center! You could start by signing up for events here. If none of these events fits your schedule, don't fret! We have many more events coming up this semester. Stay tuned and check again next month!