On November 14th, 2024, ACC’s Home & Community-Based Programs held a community wide Open House event that resulted in an amazing turn-out! Attendees learned more about all of ACC’s Home & Community-Based programs from classes and events to caregiving resources and support. Learn More: accsv.org/services
This September, ACC’s Senior Escort Program is not only celebrating its second year, it’s also spearheading a community event in honor of United Against Hate Week (UAHW). UAHW is a week-long effort promoting local civic action from various communities to combat hate and promote safety and inclusivity in our neighborhoods, towns, and cities.
This year, UAHW is from September 21-27. Leading up to UAHW, the Senior Escort Program is hosting monthly trainings on important topics such as Bystander Intervention, Situational Awareness, and Cultural Sensitivity. Building a more equitable and safe community begins with educating our communities by giving them tools to face and prevent various forms of hate – physical and emotional.
Over the past two years, ACC has acquired funding from the California Department of Social Services under the Stop the Hate grant to support the Senior Escort Program. To kickoff UAHW, we’re collaborating with other grantees, Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP) and Asian American Liberation Network (AALN).
We’ll also be joined by some of our other community partner organizations – highlighting the crucial work we’re all doing to “Stop the Hate.” Together we stand united against hate by creating a safe space for community celebration and understanding. Our hope is that attendees can learn about our communities through cultural performances, food, art, and conversation.
Hate impacts everyone – regardless of age, gender, race, or culture. Our goal is to reach across generations and cultures, and provide resources and visibility to unite against hate.
If you’re interested in being a part of this movement and joining the effort against hate, we encourage you to take part in one (or all) of our trainings, attend our event, and become a Senior Escort Program Volunteer! More information on these topics can be found on ACC’s website under the Senior Escort Program.
What happens when you get two ACC volunteers looking at soil? Well, you get the start of the ACC Garden Club. Mid 2023, Mike Lee was digging up the dirt from the unused garden planters to fill in the low spots by the walkway in back of ACC, so people wouldn’t trip stepping onto the grass during events. One day, Mike was thinking, maybe we could start a garden again. After a month goes by, Mike chatted with Alfred Yee about it, and Alfred thought it was a great idea. Alfred looked at the remnants of the garden area and the old planter boxes beside the shed in back of ACC. He thought about the hard work Mike was doing moving soil to fill in low spots, and thought, why not start a garden club and rejuvenate the garden area.
Alfred approached Mike about starting a garden club with each of them co-managing the effort. They tossed around ideas for a month or so and thought there should be a sizable group of people who like to garden and want to socialize. They put an announcement in the ACC Newsletter on starting a garden club, inviting anyone with intertest to join. The first Garden Club meeting was April 15th with about 10 people showing up. Word got around and as of May 7th there are 24 participants and growing weekly. Veggies for the sight impaired who come to ACC were planted by Mike for them to enjoy the garden and harvest what grows.
People are still welcome to join the Garden Club to help. Alfred meets Garden Club members on Mondays at 9 am to answer any questions. All the gardening space is taken up right now and if more gardening space becomes available, the new members can get to plant.
Alfred and Howard Lockard did a lot of prep work clearing out the weeds and surrounding areas the week of April 15th. Many thanks to them and others who did the heavy weeding. Alfred and Mike’s goal, socialize, make new friends, learn from each other, work as a team, and of course, plant anything you want, veggies, succulents, flowers, herbs, what ever you want! There is excitement among the gardeners planting, watering, and watching the plants and flowers flourish. Numerous people have donated to the Garden Club, sharing supplies. Many thanks to the Garden Club participants and who also look out for each other’s plants. Everything is flexible and a work in progress. So far, we have been successful in all respects, with the anticipation of a bountiful crop this summer!
Since its inception in 2022, ACC’s Senior Escort Program celebrates the incredible milestone of completing 1500 walks. In response to anti-Asian hate incidents, the Senior Escort Program was formed as a collaborative effort to protect seniors while out in the community. Over time, the program has evolved from a safety initiative to a source of independence and social connection for seniors – one walk at a time. 
The Senior Escort Program matches seniors with friendly volunteers who meet them at their home or a location of choice to take walks around the neighborhood, shop at local grocery stores, or navigate through doctors’ offices for appointments. During walks, participants are able to connect with volunteers one-on-one and boost their physical and mental health. Based on our 2023 survey, 90% of participants feel safer using the Senior Escort Program, and 72% of participants have felt an improvement with their mental health since starting the program.
In addition to daily walks, Senior Escort Program staff schedules multiple shopping trips and group outings for participants and volunteers. These outings not only give participants a variety of opportunities to get out safely, but also provide extra socialization between participants at a similar stage in life. Volunteers have also shared their joy in meeting other volunteers, and connecting on their passion of giving back to the community. “I love meeting such a wide range of individuals, providing a safe feeling outside, and letting seniors know that they are not alone. I enjoy this program so very much, and I am sure I get more out of it than the seniors,” says Senior Escort Program Volunteer, Julie Zumalt.
Another goal of the Senior Escort Program is to combat isolation – physically and emotionally. 83% of participants feel less socially isolated since starting the program. “I feel that having 
an escort improves my social isolation since I am a widow and cancer survivor. Despite having family members to help, it’s better having a neutral party to talk to,” says Senior Escort Program Participant, Mariko Yamashita .
ACC’s Senior Escort Program has been able to expand, not only in size, but across generations, race/ethnicity, and disabilities. In creating a safe space for seniors and volunteers, we’re able to work towards creating a community of caring and sense of belonging. “I appreciate and love all of the escorts. I always look forward to walking with them. I feel like I can be myself and become more independent,” says Wanda Thomas, a blind participant of ACC’s Senior Escort Program.
Reach out to our Senior Escort Program Coordinator and learn about ways you can become a participant/volunteer, or support our program!
