Your Monthly News & Updates

San Benito County Seniors Connect Newsletter

Celebrating the Spirit of

Giving This November! ❤️

November is a time to celebrate generosity, gratitude, and the incredible people who make a difference in our community!

In honor of National Philanthropy Day, we’re proud to spotlight the Community Foundation for San Benito County and its commitment to recognizing individuals who give their time, talents, and resources to strengthen our community.

Giving back comes in many forms, from charitable donations to volunteering and lending a helping hand. Every act of kindness makes a difference!

Join the Community Foundation on Thursday, November 19, 2026, for its National Philanthropy Day celebration, 250 Years of Freedom: Generations of Giving, honoring those whose generosity and dedication have helped shape San Benito County.

See the flyer below for event details, tickets, and nominations!

Turning the Master Plan for Aging Into Action

The San Benito County Master Plan for Aging Local Playbook is more than a plan—it’s a roadmap for creating a community where people can live, age, and thrive.

Community partners are continuing to move the Playbook’s priorities forward in five key areas:

🏠 Housing for All Ages & Stages

⚕️ Health Reimagined

🤝 Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation

🫂 Caregiving That Works

💰 Affording Aging

Throughout the year, San Benito Seniors Connect will share updates, resources, and examples of how these priorities are being put into action right here in our community.

📘 Want to learn more?

CLICK HERE to read the San Benito County Master Plan for Aging Local Playbook.

Stay Active & Connected! 💪🎨

Enjoy weekly exercise, arts and crafts, and Lotería, a fun, bingo-style Mexican game that brings people together for laughter and friendly competition. Stay active, have fun, and make new friends! See flyer below for details👇

✨ Looking for a relaxing

and creative way to connect?

Join the Adult Knitting & Crochet Group at the San Benito County Free Library! 🧵💬 Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned crafter, come share ideas, meet new friends, and enjoy some creative time together. 🪡🧤

✨ Looking for a gentle way to

move, relax & recharge?

Join us every Wednesday for Qigong & Tai Chi in Hollister! 🌿 These slow, mindful movements can be modified for individual needs, making it a welcoming way to move your body, focus on your breathing, and enjoy some time for yourself. 🧘‍♀️✨

Chair Yoga

San Benito County Free Library

470 Fifth Street, Hollister

For more information, visit us at www.sbcfl.org or call (831) 636-4107

Relaxing and rejuvenating Chair Yoga session designed especially for senior citizens! Whether you're looking to improve flexibility, reduce stress, or simply enjoy a peaceful hour, this program is perfect for you.

What’s Happening at the

 Mary Velasco Sellen Senior Center?

Looking for fun activities, new friendships, and ways to stay connected? The Mary Velasco Sellen Senior Center in San Juan Bautista has a variety of activities planned for November, including yoga, guest speakers, crafts, lunch, and bingo! Check out the November calendar and join in the fun!

Upcoming Online Classes:

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Education

Topics include early warning signs, caregiving basics, communication, and healthy brain habits.

To register click HERE or call (800)272-3900

For on-demand recorded classes, click HERE

Caregiver Support & Education 💙

The Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center and Health Projects Center invite family caregivers to join their monthly workshops at the Community Foundation Epicenter in Hollister.

Each session offers practical caregiving tips, valuable resources, and compassionate support to help you care for a loved one while also caring for yourself.

💙 Caregiver Support Group –

 You’re Not Alone!

Caring for a loved one can be challenging. Join the FREE Caregiver Support Group to connect with others, share experiences, and discover helpful resources.

Meetings are held the second Monday of each month, 1:00–2:30 PM, in San Juan Bautista.

See the flyer below for details!

Get Out & Vote Early!

🗳️ November 3, 2026 General Election

Planning ahead for the upcoming General Election? San Benito County Elections has information on Vote Center locations, official ballot drop boxes, Vote-by-Mail, and important election dates.

For the latest election information and voting options:

Click HERE for more details

See the flyer below for voting locations and important dates.

Events Happening in the Community

💉 FREE Flu Vaccination Clinics

San Benito County Public Health is offering FREE flu vaccinations every Wednesday and Friday from 1:00–4:00 PM at Public Health Services in Hollister.

Vaccinations are available for ages 6 months and older, and walk-ins are welcome!

📍 351 Tres Pinos Road, Suite B, Hollister

📞 (831) 637-5367

👉 Click here to schedule an appointment through MyTurn.

Protect yourself and those around you this flu season!

🎃 Trick-or-Treat Street Returns

 to Downtown Hollister!

Join us for the 9th Annual Trick-or-Treat Street on Friday, October 30, from 4:00–7:00 PM along San Benito Street in Downtown Hollister!

Bring the family for an afternoon of costumes, candy, prizes, and community fun! Be sure to stop by the San Benito Connect Volunteer Network booth, where we’ll be sharing volunteer opportunities and spreading a little Halloween cheer!

🍬 Bonus: The first 1,000 children can receive a free treat bag! Stop by the Veterans’ Memorial Building at 649 San Benito Street to get started.

We look forward to seeing you downtown! 🎃

$1.8 Million Grant to Strengthen Aging Services Across California

Kaiser Permanente invests in leadership, innovation, and long-term sustainability for California’s aging services network.

The California Association of Area Agencies on Aging (C4A) has been awarded a $1.8 million, three-year grant from Kaiser Permanente to help strengthen California’s 33 Area Agencies on Aging and better prepare communities for the needs of a growing older adult population.

The initiative, A Future for Aging Where Local Communities Thrive, will focus on building stronger organizations through leadership training, technical assistance, financial sustainability, and regional collaboration.

Why This Matters to Our Communities

As the number of older adults continues to grow, so does the demand for services that support independence, dignity, and healthy aging.

Area Agencies on Aging play an important role in connecting individuals and families with essential resources, including caregiver support, nutrition programs, transportation, information and assistance, and other community-based services.

This investment will help strengthen the statewide network of organizations working to meet those needs, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Building a Stronger Future for Aging

The three-year initiative will run from September 2026 through August 2029 and will include statewide assessments, leadership development, technical assistance, and opportunities for collaboration.

The Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties welcomes this investment in California’s aging services network and the opportunity it represents to build stronger, more sustainable support systems for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families.

Source: California Association of Area Agencies on Aging (C4A), October 19, 2026.

Medicare Open Enrollment:

Know Your Options for 2027!

Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15–December 7! Senior Network Services HICAP program is offering FREE, unbiased Medicare presentations to help you understand your coverage options and what’s new for 2027.

Join one of three local presentations in Hollister or San Juan Bautista. See the flyer below for dates, times, and locations!

Healthy Meals, Healthier Lives!

Teen Kitchen Project offers a special program for eligible Medi-Cal members in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties. Participants may receive 12 weeks of home-delivered, medically tailored meals, groceries, or fresh produce, along with nutrition education and support.

Interested in learning more? Call (831) 316-4540, Ext. 1, or see the flyer below for eligibility requirements and enrollment details.

Hot Meals, Connection, and

Care for San Benito Seniors 💛

Enjoy nutritious meals and meaningful connection through local senior dining programs in Hollister and San Juan Bautista. For those who are homebound, weekly meal delivery is also available to help ensure no senior goes without support.

📞 To sign up or learn more, call or text (669) 437-0865

🌐 Visit: https://www.marthas-kitchen.org/san-benito-county

Making a Difference Across Generations! 💙

Through the Seniors Council’s Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent Programs, adults age 55 and older can make meaningful connections, support others, and give back to their communities.

Two wonderful programs making a difference, one life at a time!

Project SCOUT:

Free Tax Prep & CalFresh Assistance

📘 Aging & Disability Resource Directory

– San Benito County

Aging & Disability Resource Directory created by the Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) in partnership with the Seniors Council. This guide serves as a “No Wrong Door” resource to help older adults, caregivers, and individuals living with disabilities easily find support across San Benito County.

Stay Connected!

Get In Touch

   •       📞 Phone: 831-975-2596 ext 204

   •       📍 Address: 440 San Benito Street, Hollister, CA 95023

   •       ✉️ Email: Coreys@seniorscouncil.org

   •       🌐 Website: www.seniorscouncil.org