Experience Connection at a Sequoia Living Senior Center

The San Francisco Senior Center (SFSC) opened in Aquatic Park in 1947 as the first nonprofit senior center in the United States. Today, Aquatic Park Center serves seniors daily.

Opened in 1966, our Downtown Center was the first senior center in California to receive funding from the Older Americans Act.

Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) specialists provide free services for adults age 60+ and adults 18+ with disabilities. ADRC provides many services, including translation, reading mail, filling out applications, applying for benefits, and utility rebates. ADRC can also provide information about resources in the community, assist with referrals to community programs, and provide information about housing, including low-income and senior housing.

免費為長者和殘障人士提供有關資訊和幫助，我們可以講英語，普通話，粵 語，和台山話。資訊及輔助專員專為根據您的不同需求而探索不同的社區資源 並跟相關部門進行溝通。您將會瞭解到的社區服務包括：翻譯，看信，填表， 推薦指引社區資源，低收入電費，電話，或上網折扣，申請各項相關的社會福 利，或申請低收入老人房屋等等…

Windy Ng
(415) 202-2982
wng@sequoialiving.org

Jaren Liang
(415) 923-4488
jliang@sequoialiving.org

Ang mga espesyalista sa ADRC ay maari magbigay ng mga kaalaman ukol sa mga naaayon na pangangailangan katulad ng pagsasaling wika (English-Filipino), pagbasa ng inyong mga liham, pagsagot sa mga aplikasyon, pag aaplay para sa mga benipisyon na gusto ninyong matamo, at magkaroon ng mga diskwento na makukuha sa pagbabayad ng inyong buwanang utility at marami pang iba. Sila din ay maaring makapaglingkod na magbigay ng mga kaalaman tungkol sa programang pangkomunidad.

Luisa Balatbat
(415) 923-4490
lbalatbat@sequoialiving.org

Social Services The San Francisco Senior Center offers social services at each location. Social Service Coordinators are available to provide outreach, assessment, and care planning to seniors, disabled adults, and their families and caregivers. Services can address health, financial, recreational, nutritional, and legal needs. They can assist with information and access to community resources.

SFSC Downtown Center Social Services Coordinator:
Ione Ishii, MSW
(415) 923-4487
iishii@sequoialiving.org

SFSC Aquatic Park Center Social Services Coordinator:
Jill Spezzano, BSW
(415) 923-4481
jspezzano@sequoialiving.org

The San Francisco Senior Center (SFSC) opened in Aquatic Park in 1947 as the first nonprofit senior center in the United States. It began with a bold idea: to create a place where older adults could come together, learn, and build community.

In 1947, San Francisco resident Charles Rose was forced to leave his job due to his advancing age. He noticed how his outlook improved when he spent time with other retirees instead of feeling isolated in his one-room apartment. He envisioned creating a place where aging friends could gather and socialize.

That same year, the city of San Francisco was looking for a new use for the Aquatic Park Bathhouse, a public bathing center that the U.S. military had used as a lookout post during World War II. After learning about the vacant bathhouse, Mr. Rose and his friends encouraged city officials to use the building as a gathering space for older adults. After many meetings with the mayor and politicians, it was finally decided to turn part of the building into a recreation center for retired people. This was a turning point because, at that time, the United States had no major organized social or recreational programs for aging adults.

The city put the new center into the capable hands of Florence Vickery, a social worker with innovative ideas about aging. She believed that isolated older adults would benefit from accessing recreation, services, and opportunities to build community. Under Ms. Vickery’s leadership, the vision for a senior center became a reality. After founding the San Francisco Senior Center, she served as its director until 1967 and wrote several books on social aging.

More than a thousand adults across San Francisco flocked to the center in its first year. SFSC became so popular that the building’s lower floor was remodeled to add more classroom and workshop space and an elevator.

SFSC made history again in 1966 when its downtown branch became the first senior center in California to receive funding from the Older Americans Act. In 1985, the downtown center moved to its current location on 481 O’Farrell Street, which tripled its space for programs and social services.

Today, SFSC continues to create powerful programs that spark creativity and build human connection for seniors in the San Francisco Bay Area. Whether it’s art classes, support groups, Living Well, Aging Well programs, social services, fitness classes, or nutritious meals, there’s something for everyone. Join us, and let’s keep making history.

Your gift to the San Francisco Senior Center helps provide older adults (age 60+) and adults with disabilities (18+) with opportunities for lifelong learning, healthy living, and social activities that foster independence and self-reliance. Staying connected to the world is what we strive for. Your tax-deductible donation is greatly appreciated.

Senior Services for Northern California is a nonprofit foundation that raises funds for the San Francisco Senior Center. Visit our secure online donation page and make a gift with your credit card or mail a check with San Francisco Senior Center in the memo line to:

Senior Services for Northern California
1525 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

• Making a gift of stock
• Including the Senior Center in your estate plans
• Participating in your company’s Matching Gift Program

To learn more about these giving options, please email David Madson, Chief Fund Development Officer at:

dmadson@SequoiaLiving.org

office: (415) 202-7805

cell: (415) 722-5885