Burning candle on abstract green color background
It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. 
Facing  the New Year Together  With Hope &  Resolve
As we enter a year of great uncertainty and change, we will get by with a little help from our friends. Thank you for your friendship and support over the past year.  By working together, we will grow stronger and more impactful in the months and years ahead.  
Looking for ways to survive and thrive? 
See below for some suggestions. 
      Fighting for Our Future in San Francisco 
Survival Guide for the New Year 
words - don_t mourn_ organize
Here are a few ideas (thanks to Caille Millner, SF Chronicle, for some suggestions): 

Talk to people who have been through tough times before - immigrants from other countries or older neighbors and family members who have lived through hard times in the U.S. - for advice and perspective.  

Be diligent about small, persistent acts of resistance. Visit www.RiseWhenWeFall.org for a daily action that will only take you a few minutes and expand your view of how to strengthen democracy. Ideas are sent via text message.

Stand Up and Be Counted! This month provides many opportunities:

Fri. January 20 - March Against Trump Policies on Inauguration Day
- March starts at 5:00 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza. 

Sat. January 21 - Women's March - Rally with speakers, arts and music from 4 - 6PM at Civic Center in S.F., then leaving at 6 for a reverent, festive candlelight march down Market St. to Justin Herman Plaza.   Find more details here .   CLC invites you to join us as part of a senior and disability contingent.   

Fri. Jan 27, Protect, Improve, and Expand Medicare and Medicaid! Join CARA in a State-wide action at US House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's office in Bakersfield.  Buses leaving from the SF Bay Area; call CARA toll-free at (877)223-6107.

Stick with trusted news sources and limit time online, where the stream of bad news can become overwhelming and demoralizing. Limit time on news channels and on websites that highlight controversies to increase their audiences.

Make time for fun, friendship and renewal - We will get by with the help of our friends. Know folks around you without friends or family nearby? Draw one or two into your circle for the support and encouragement they will need. Look out for each other. Find little kindnesses that you can do for friends, neighbors, and others you meet.

Have other ideas/advice? Send to [email protected] and  we will feature next month.
Dignity Fund Implementation Underway 

Yes on Prop I sign
With so many things in flux, one thing bright spot is the pa ssage of the Dignity  Fund, which will protect current local senior and disability program funding, and grow it by $6 million in the coming year. CLC has created a simple website to track progress on the implementation of the Dignity Fund. You can keep up-to-date by going to www.sfdignityfund.org.  
Connectors Build Communities & Friendships
Cayuga Logo
Cayuga Connections 

The American History Series continues at Bethel Community Center, 2525 Alemany.    

Wed. Jan 4th at 7:00PM - SFSU American History Department presented by  Sarah Crabtree, SFSU (BA, MA, PhD) and Susan Englander, History Dept. SFSU, Instructor.  Topics will include  Presidential executive orders, Balance of Power, the appointment process, treaties and trade provisions (TPP, NAFTA), the role of commander in chief (limits as well as powers), the constitutional provision for inauguration, the annual state of the union, and the power to grant pardons. The Supreme Court, original jurisdiction, judicial review, nature of treason and more.

Fri. Jan. 13th at 11am discussion will continue with Eva Sheppard Wolf, PhD, SFSU.  For more information, contact  Patti Spaniak (646) 409-7775 or  [email protected] . See more on the  
 
And now for something new - see below for the new Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP).

Turkeypalooza: 1,200+ Turkeys Fly to Good Homes
three volunteers in front of truck
woman organizing uploading of turkeys
With turkeys and fixings provided by  Glide and CLC, scores of volunteers and organizations in the southern part of the City  received  and delivered over 1,200 turkeys and groceries for the holidays. 
In the Bayview, Veronica Shepard (below, right) and Chester Williams (top right) worked together to recruit and organize the teams that covered that neighborhood.  In the OMI, Deb Glen (below center) led the effort with help from Karen Holt and family (below right) and other CLC members like Jim Battaglia and his son (pictured below left). 
This would not have been possible without the generous support of Glide Food Program. Year after year, they have helped brighten the holiday for so many San Franciscans struggling to make ends meet. 
Please remember that hunger is not a once a year thing. Support efforts to make end food insecurity for so many San Franciscans - learn more at the SF Food Security Task Force site.

two mens loading bags of groceries

woman organizing delivery of red Glide bags

team of volunteers

Classes and Workshops 
DEEP Sign Up Now for Free Diabetes Workshop
word images related to diabetes

Are you Diabetic? Pre-diabetic? 
Worried about your blood sugar levels?
Sign Up Now!  It's Free!!

Thursdays from Jan 26 to March 2 
10 am - 12 Noon 
Bethel Community Center, 2525 Alemany 

To promote wellness, sign up for the  Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP), co-sponsored by 30th Street Senior Center and the Cayuga Connectors.  
The program is looking for 15-20 committed people to meet for two-hours a week for 6 weeks.  For more information, contact Patti Spaniak at [email protected] or call ( 646) 409-7775
Connections for Health Aging Workshop Empowers
Vial for Life on door
Stay Safe! Sign up for a Vial of Life Session for a simple, quick way to make sure your key health and contact information is available in an emergency. Our first one of the year is January 10 in the Bayview. Find out more about the Vial of Life here.  
To schedule a free presentation for your organization on the Vial of Life or one of our other workshop topics like Surviving a Hospital Stay, Advance Directives, or our Empowered Elder "To Do" List, contact Lizette Martinez at [email protected]. Available in Spanish and English
Stay Engaged with Classes and Tutoring
computer tutor with senior

We have a great roster of technology classes, tutoring opportunities and presentations. This month's topics include shopping and online calendars, photoshop and so much more.   Download a list of free classes and open labs here .  

Due to construction  issues, CLC will be unable to use the Valencia Garden lab at 360 Valencia Street for the next few months. We are working on finding nearby alternative sites in the Mission for drop in lab time and classes. For an update, contact Judy at [email protected].

Economic Security 
Economic Security & Housing Among Older Adults 
older woman with hands on head looking worried
UCSF Institute for Health and Aging and the
Dorothy P. Rice Center for Health Economics presents  keynote speaker Dr. Steven Wallace, Professor, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.  
January 30, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. 
Laurel Heights Campus Auditorium.  
Event will conclude with a reception.  You may recognize Dr. Steven Wallace as having developed the Elder Economic Security Index, which more clearly measures the monthly income needed for basic needs like food, transportation, medical care and housing. 
Job Openings Appear on the Horizon
bulletin board with letters spelling jobs
View job announcements at the links below: 

CLC is looking for a new  Coordinator for our Vision and Hearing Initiative.  

Felton Institute is looking for an   Activities Coordinator at 66 Raymond in Visitacion Valley.

Coalition of Agencies Serving the Elderly is looking for a  Part-time Administrator.  

Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Sites Are Opening 
united way logo
Get the latest info about free tax preparation, access to refunds, and more by going to 
http://www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org. Link provides locations for free help as well as a list of what to bring when you go. 
Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program Offers Help 
piggy bank with sign that says save
If you think you might be eligible for the Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program, access a simple factsheet about the Program here.  If you have more questions or would like help navigating the approval process, contact Jose by calling the CLC office at 415-821-1003.  
Community Events & Information 
Forgot to Mention...CLC Folks Got Published
two signs that say Stop and Read This
Over the past few months, we've been so busy, we forgot to share this good news about when CLC Board and Staff publishing interesting articles.
First, CLC Board member Jarmin Yeh co-authored a piece first published in the 
Co-authors include CLC Community Connector Jennifer Walsh, Cathy Spensley of the Felton Institute and Margaret Wallhagen of UC San Francisco.
CLC Staffers Kate Kuckro and Marie Jobling also crafted an  which highlighted some of the work of the SF Tech Council and its coordinator, Susan Poor. 

Please take a minute to read and let us know what you think at [email protected].
MUNI Fare Changes Coming January 1 
muni bus
Remember, fare change start January 1, 2017.   Good News - The  existing reduced fare programs, including the  Lifeline  pass and  Free Muni  for eligible low- and moderate-income youth, seniors and persons with disabilities remain unchanged.   More detailed information is available at the ILRC Blog or by contacting  [email protected] .