Transforming Lives - Building Community
Creating Change

Programs

"Together we can dissolve hatred into love;
separation into connection;
unworthiness into self-esteem;
and injustice into equality."
 From the poem "Dedication," written by members of our Senior Art Project


Senior Services
St. Mary’s Center Senior Services Program offers a broad range of free services to meet the comprehensive needs of extremely low income seniors. Focused on the specific needs of homeless seniors and isolated elders, St. Mary’s provides for basic human needs~ housing, food, heath care and community. Last year more than 1000 seniors were helped by the Senior Services Programs.
  • Outreach & Advocacy provides a lifeline for 500 isolated elders who live alone without family support. “Aging in place” provides a higher quality of life and is possible with advocates providing: friendly visiting, safety checks in homes to avoid falls, transportation to shopping and medical appointments, exercise programs and problem solving on critical issues. 59% of the clients are over the age of 75, 82 % are women, 96% live below Supplemental Security Income of $836/month and 99% are functionally impaired.

  • Senior Homeless Program provides extensive case management and easy points of entry for people, 55 and older who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Services include: winter shelter, transitional housing, help to find permanent housing, con-current treatment for addiction and mental health disorders, money management, leadership training, community nurses and art. 70% are diagnosed with substance abuse and/or mental illness, 65% are men and many are veterans.

  • Seniors Advocates for Hope and Justice Lived experiences inform action on social policy. Formerly homeless seniors train as leaders, do research, work in collaboration with others and speak on issues of housing, healthcare, hunger, transportation and other issues affecting extremely low income people.
Food for All Ages
St. Mary's food program addresses hunger and food insecurity for 1250 seniors, children and families. The program collaborates with Alameda County Community Food Bank, Mercy Brown Bag Program, Bay Area Community Services, local churches and community to provide daily meals and groceries to supplement inadequate food budgets.

St. Mary’s Preschool
Our preschool is a California State Licensed Program increasing the academic and behavioral skills of 48 low –income 3 – 5 year olds so they enter Kindergarten ready to learn. Closing a critical educational divide, preschool enhances the possibility of students graduating from high school and reduces the chance of being incarcerated later in life.
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