Wendy Wolfson
RedwoodAge.com
One is never too old to rattle the halls of power.
In California, where in-home services are slated to be cut Nov. 1 due to state budget problems, a group called Senior Survival School is training elders how to lobby civic leaders while making the most of available services.
"It is an empowerment program to help folks live independently, " said program director Sarah Jarmon. "We also focus on advocacy."
The San Francisco-focused program, run by the advocacy group Planning for Seniors, has been in operation since 1992, advising seniors and people with disabilities how to access services.
Now the organization is training its constituency to fight the planned service cuts.
"A lot of people come in hearing about Senior Survival School, or get linked up with advocacy." said Jarman. "Others may have done advocacy for social justice in the past."
Senior Survival School includes four half-days of basic training over a period of weeks. There's also extended community organizing training that covers accessing transportation services and community healthcare services. CARA, the California part of a national organization, the Association of Retired Americans, as well as the Senior Action Network also participate in advocacy work.
Feedback Loop
In addition to explaining how to apply for programs, the program offers a chance
to give service agencies feedback. Participants also practice lobbying
scenarios.
"We are focusing on people who use public services," said Jarman. "We go into working class neighborhoods, [talk to] immigrants, people of color," Jarman said. "It is open to anybody."
One challenge is that many clients have health issues that make participation difficult. "But coming to Senior Survival School is different from doing the ongoing advocacy." Jarman said. "People are very interested to get ongoing information about the services."
The repetitive nature of the budgeting process can also be a challenge. "It is a constant cycle." said Jarman, who remains upbeat. "The people who come to our organization and work with us are really energized."
Marching in the Street
The organization helped organize a march on San Francisco City Hall,
dubbed a "Senior Tsunami."
"A few hundred seniors marched on [Mayor] Gavin Newsom's office to demand that services wouldn't be cut," said Jarman. They presented the mayor with a list of demands. "We served lunches after the speakers and rally."
The advocates also helped win an injunction against cuts from adult day health, which prevents people from going to nursing homes.
"There are certain key issues that are important for communities," said Jarman.
