Newsletters
Josie recently joined the Spectrum team, in our Fall Prevention Department, as a Walk With Ease instructor. Walk with Ease is a new class offering from Spectrum and is a 1 hour daily, six-week program that helps seniors use walking as an effective tool to increase strength, improve balance and help ease the symptoms of arthritis. The Walk with Ease program was initially developed through the Arthritis Foundation and Josie had been teaching that class at the San Leandro Senior Center for 7 years before the pandemic shut it down 3 years ago. She has now joined the Spectrum team providing the program.
- Details
Read more: Staff Spotlight - Meet Josie, Fall Prevention Fitness Instructor
Meet Linda, a long-time resident of California who still lives in the home where she was born and raised. Linda has been working at United Methodist Church in Castro Valley as a secretary for the past 19 years, and she is also one of Spectrum’s valued clients who regularly receives meals through the Senior Meals program.
Linda first learned about the Senior Meals program at United Methodist Church, which is one of Spectrum’s 12 Senior Meals Distribution sites. During the pandemic, she signed up for the program and began selecting several menu items each month that she enjoys and reserving her meals. Recently, Linda sent an email to Spectrum expressing her appreciation for a particular meal she received. She raved about the delicious turkey burger, fresh veggies, and sweet potato tots, and said she would reserve that meal every time it’s offered.
- Details
Read more: Client spotlight - Meet Linda, United Methodist Church - Castro Valley
LONG-AWAITED EXPANSION TO WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM NOW CONFIRMED
Spectrum Community Services is excited to announce the expansion of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) in Alameda County*. The program will now cover current, not just overdue bills, up to $2,000.
The LIHWAP Program ends in August 2023, and is a one time benefit granted on a first-come first-served basis.
To request an application for LIHWAP and/or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) visit our website to navigate to the online form to have an application mailed to you, or download and print out the form. To apply for LIHEAP online, visit CALiheapapply.com
** (the LIHWAP water assistance application is not currently available online)
- Details
Spectrum Community Services participated in the 21st annual March for Meals – a month-long, nationwide celebration of Meal on Wheels and our senior neighbors who rely on this essential service to remain healthy and independent at home, now even more so amid a lingering pandemic and high inflation. Spectrum’s celebration included various activities throughout the month of March, including receiving proclamations from various local municipalities.
“In the last year, we have experienced a continued increase in the demand for our services in Alameda County,” said Lara Calvert, Executive Director of Spectrum. “We have been in awe of the outpouring of support so far, and there’s still much we can do to ensure everyone in need of our vital lifeline can benefit from being well-nourished and more connected to our community through this challenging time and beyond.”
- Details
Put a Spring In Your Step with New Shoes
Many times throughout the year we wear a specific shoe for a specific reason. Flip flops to the beach, snow boots in the snow, dress shoes for the holidays... but what about the shoes you wear everyday? Why is your daily footwear important for fall prevention? Let's take this quick quiz and find out!
Do your feet hurt at the end of the day? Shoe rubber wears out and hardens, which means it is no longer absorbing impact to cushion your joints.
Are the bottoms of your shoes smooth? When the tread wears out, your shoes become slippery, which puts you at a higher risk for falls.
Do your shoes fit well? Shoes that are too tight and restrict movement can become loose and unstable.
- Details