In San Francisco, where the median income for a single person is well above $100,000, thousands of residents earn or subsist on much less. Nationally, under the official poverty measure, one in 10 (10.2%), or 5.9 million adults ages 65 and older, had incomes below the official poverty threshold of $14,040 in 2022. For adults … Continued
In less than 20 years, the U.S. population aged 65 and older will reach 78 million. By 2050, more than half of this population will be from American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Black and African American, Hispanic and Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities. And with 88% of older adults preferring … Continued
Care work is the work that makes all other work possible. It is the invisible foundation of our economy–some may even call it invisible labor. The devaluation of this work can be traced to a known history of racially exclusionary and patriarchal structures that framed caregiving as the unpaid, expected labor of women, particularly women … Continued
In homes across California, an essential exchange offers a glimpse into the throughline of care in our communities. An elder shares a story with the caregiver who helps them navigate the day. A housekeeper ensures a clean, safe environment for a family managing a loved one’s chronic illness. This work—the labor of caretaking—allows millions to … Continued
As more Californians age, the need for better solutions for home care providers and their clients has dramatically increased. Metta Fund grantee, the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), is a long-standing advocate for immigrant homecare workers, addressing issues such as wage theft, poor working conditions, and systemic inequities. Their work centers on building economic power and … Continued
Since 1972, Justice in Aging (JIA) has been working to ensure that all older adults age with dignity, safety, and stability using the power of law. Their legal team partners with on-the-ground advocates and pro bono law firms to identify systemic issues, file cases, and win landmark litigation that has returned billions in benefits to … Continued
Located on the border of the Mission and Excelsior districts in San Francisco is the Mission YMCA – a meeting point, second home, and third space for people in San Francisco’s District 11 and surrounding communities. While the Y has been providing this multicultural community with integrative, all-ages services and programming since 1953, the Mission … Continued
The San Francisco Chinatown YMCA’s dedication to its community is driven by a shared vision of providing programming that allows the community elders to live independent, informed, and meaningful lives. “There is also a larger vision and mission at the YMCA (Y),” says Executive Director Andy Chu, “which is the notion of ‘Be. Belong. Become’”—a … Continued
For nearly two decades, Tacing Parker has dedicated her career to fostering connection and community. There is no better place to do this than as the Senior Executive Director of the Bayview YMCA. Ms. Parker leads with a clear mission: to create a space where everyone feels they belong, especially the elders who call Bayview … Continued
Iesha Ena, Director of Community Affairs and Logistics at the Samoan Community Development Center (SCDC) in San Francisco’s Sunnydale neighborhood, has a favorite Samoan saying: “O le ala i le pule, o le tautua…” In English, she says, it means “the pathway to leadership is through service.” Iesha says she learned leadership by example through … Continued