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On November 17, 2020, ACC Senior Services began loaning laptop computers to 50 participants in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), ACC’s job training program for older adults. The refurbished laptops were purchased with a $16,400 grant from SMUD as part of its Shine Award Grant Program. 

The participants of ACC’s SCSEP program are low-income seniors who face multiple barriers to employment. Most come from underserved communities with few resources across Sacramento County. Many have raised children and grandchildren and now seek work to make ends meet. Some are veterans who are at risk of being homeless. Others were incarcerated and now want to be productive members of society. While most have worked their entire lives, they do not have the technology skills to compete in the tight COVID-era labor market.

“SCSEP is giving these seniors a human connection and the technical training to get employed during this challenging time,” says Jeri Shikuma, SCSEP Program Manager. “With SMUD’s support, ACC’s SCSEP program will help these older adults develop digital literacy skills, making them more employable.”

 The loaner laptops are refurbished models and come fully loaded with Microsoft Windows and Office applications.

“Getting one of these laptops will be a great help for me to navigate online with my distance training,” says LaTonya Anderson. “I’ve currently been using my phone to do distance learning and it’s challenging being that I am legally blind. Not only will the laptop help me with my distance learning, it will also help me greatly with job searches.”

The Pew Research Center found in 2017 that 73 percent of low-income seniors in the U.S. don’t have home broadband. Many go to senior centers and libraries to get Internet access. The pandemic has shut down that access. 

“We’re proud to partner with local nonprofits on projects that will immediately address COVID-19 impacts in underserved communities,” said SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau.  “I’m looking forward to round two so we can help even more people during this unprecedented time.  By supporting our community with job training, academic support and community services, we will make a lasting impact in our neighborhoods.” 

The Shine Award Grant Program is part of SMUD’s Sustainable Communities Initiative that uses innovative programs and local partnerships to help bring environmental equity and economic vitality to neighborhoods in the Sacramento area. ACC is grateful for SMUD’s partnership in helping seniors in our community find employment. For more information, visit https://www.smud.org/en/Corporate/Landing/Sustainable-Communities/Shine-awards.

By Darrick Lam, President and CEO, ACC Senior Services

Recognizing that California’s over-65 population is projected to grow to 8.6 million by 2030, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order in June 2019 calling for the creation of a Master Plan for Aging to be developed by December 2020. The Master Plan will serve as a blueprint that can be used by state government, local communities, private organizations and philanthropy to build environments that promote an age-friendly California.

In September 2019, I was appointed a Member of the Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) to work alongside those who represent a broad array of Californians with an interest in building an age-friendly California, such as older Californians, adults with disabilities, local government, healthcare providers, health plans, employers, community-based organizations, foundations, academic researchers, and organized labor.

Since the Governor’s Executive Order, the Master Plan for Aging’s Together We Engage campaign has included nine SAC meetings, as well as thirteen Long-Term Services & Supports Subcommittee, six Research Subcommittee, and four Equity Work Group meetings. In between these meetings, countless hours of work took place, including review and consideration of over 240 stakeholder organization recommendation letters and over 1,000 public comments collected via meetings, surveys, email, and nine Webinar Wednesdays. Legislators convened communities to discuss the Master Plan for Aging at six legislative round tables. Throughout the past year, the Master Plan for Aging team has gathered a wide range of input through dozens of Master Plan for Aging forums with associations, local communities, and private sector partners.

This engagement process has culminated in over 800 SAC recommendations to inform the final Master Plan. In September 2020, an executive summary was released by SAC, focusing on Long Term Services and Supports, Housing, Poverty, Equity and Leadership priorities along with over 800 recommendations. The California Health and Human Services Agency and an All Cabinet Work Group are currently reviewing these recommendations and developing the Master Plan for Aging with the Governor. This month, the Governor will release the final Master Plan for Aging, including the State Plan, Local Playbook, and Data Dashboard in alignment with the Governor’s Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force. I look forward to partnering with state and local governments, as well as non-profit and private entities, on implementation of the Master Plan in 2021.

By Lisa Poon, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, ACC Senior Services

2020 is undoubtedly a year we will never forget, yet one most of us are glad to see coming to an end. We kicked off 2020 with the usual excitement that a new year brings – plans to fill up our beautiful new facility, ACC Maple Tree Village; sprucing up ACC Greenhaven Terrace with fresh décor; new window treatments and bed linens at the ACC Care Center; and continuance of lifelong learning and social services provided through ACC Home and Community Based Programs.

And then came the global pandemic. March 2020 is a date that is imprinted in all of our minds, a date where the term “normal” took on a whole new meaning. We’ve seen the pandemic have the most significant impact on our senior population, the very people ACC has been serving every day for almost 50 years. Restrictions on where they can go and whom they can see has put an incredible strain on them and their family caregivers. The cancellation of in-person classes and workshops at ACC has further increased feelings of isolation. We long for the days when we can greet our friends with a hug or a handshake. 

However, rather than give in to the urge to raise the white flag, ACC has risen to the challenge and has vowed to keep our seniors healthy and safe, and to provide the best and most “normal” life possible. As 2020 comes to an end, we hope you can make a generous year-end gift to help ACC continue its remarkable work to:

• Protect the health and safety of our residents, staff, and volunteers
• Keep seniors engaged through new online services such as virtual classes, workshops and support groups
• Provide transportation for essential appointments
• Create a “No Wrong Door” social services system for our community

Since the last publishing of ACC News, we have spent approximately $73,000 on COVID-19 testing and over $20,000 on Personal Protective Equipment. We ramped up ACC Online Learning with hundreds of seniors participating. With funding from SMUD, ACC purchased 50 laptop computers to help seniors develop computer skills and find employment.

Our employees in skilled nursing, assisted living, and our home and community based program departments have never been so resourceful and are the true heroes of ACC. With your year-end support, they can continue to rise to the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Bring it on, 2021 – we are ready for you!

As 2020 comes to an end, we reflect on how much and how quickly ACC and its volunteers have responded to the current health crisis. Early on, people made thousands of cloth masks for ACC. They rushed to donate supplies and their time to help ACC mitigate the crisis. 

In May, ACC’s Big Day of Giving saw an outpouring of donations like we’ve never seen before. The virtual telethon raised $160,000, three times the amount raised at last year’s event. In the face of this crisis, we saw a community that cares about others above itself.

All the while, our leadership team was mobilizing the workforce for what has become the deadliest pandemic in 100 years. Most important were the safety measures put in place for our residents, volunteers and staff in early March, which we continue to improve on. 

We have stayed on top of PPE procurement, infection control, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. Last month, the Care Center expanded its license to provide skilled nursing services at Maple Tree Village (see page 3). ACC Senior Services also transitioned to Zoom to remain connected with the community. We felt it was really important to be open, transparent, and timely with critical information. We held town halls at all our facilities, some more than once.  We did the same with our volunteers and employees. When we learned about the first case of COVID-19 at the Care Center, the employees and the Board were notified within hours and families shortly thereafter.

Through all this, we remain passionate about serving this community in the best tradition of ACC. This includes finding new ways of serving our seniors.

In October, we launched ACC online classes, workshops, and concerts. More than 400 people have signed up (visit accsv.org/online). We received a grant from SMUD to purchase and distribute 50 laptops and training to seniors seeking employment (SCSEP program). We are making reassurance calls to residents and continuing to operate ACC Rides for our most vulnerable seniors.

Before the pandemic, we started a “change management” initiative, which looked at how ACC can develop stronger working relationships between volunteers and staff, so that future challenges can be met. Managing our business growth was one of them, but, practically overnight, COVID-19 took center stage.  The effects of COVID-19 will be felt for years to come, even with a forthcoming vaccine. This has been factored into our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. We have to embrace change. It is the only way we will move forward in this brave new world. 

Last, we want to mention that on Wednesday, December 16, at 6 PM, ACC is having an online musical event, “Home for the Holidays,” to honor the heroes of ACC (see page 12). We encourage you to watch it and make a year-end gift in tribute to the staff, volunteers, and family caregivers who care for our seniors. For nearly 50 years, your philanthropic donations to ACC have spurred growth and service to the community. We want to thank the people who make ACC truly a community of caring – families, staff, volunteers, and our Board of Directors.

On behalf of a grateful organization, we wish you Happy and Healthy Holidays and a bright New Year ahead!

In these times of COVID-19, we miss our wonderful volunteers. Your generosity and dedication to ACC makes ACC what it is today. While the administrative center is closed and onsite events are cancelled, we still need our valued volunteers. If you would like to continue helping ACC while you are sheltering at home, we have several opportunities that might interest you that are listed below.

SCSEP needs someone to

• Help make phone calls to participants who are at home now and can help with mandatory online training
• Help train participants on smart phone and computer basics

TEAM/CHANGES needs

• Volunteers who speak other languages to help translate for non-English speaking clients (the goal would be to have a dedicated group that could be called upon when needed)
• Volunteers (ESL focused) who are part of other groups and could get materials out about utilities assistance 

Mickey Yamadera has come full circle at ACC. This remarkable volunteer who mobilized people, resources, and goodwill for ACC for decades is now living in ACC’s “community of caring” that she helped create. Read Mickey’s story.

Marketing needs help with

• Editorial writing for the print and online newsletters
• Production assistance for online streaming content

ACC Needs Clerical Support to

• Help take and type up meeting minutes

Volunteers Needed to Make Reassurance Calls to

• GT IL Residents
• Rides participants

If you are interested in helping with any of these opportunities, please contact Dave Lin at dlin@accsv.org or (916) 394-6399 x 143. As always, thank you for your generous support of ACC!

In 2008, Linda Revilla came to ACC with a PhD in Psychology, but she was no ordinary academic. She was a people person with a knack for turning ideas into full-blown community programs. In the past 12 years, Linda transformed ACC Programs into a vital community resource, improving the lives of seniors and their family caregivers by the thousands. She put ACC Programs on the map of the region and nurtured ACC into people’s hearts.

Linda is leaving ACC Senior Services as the Program Director to become the Director of Programs at Meals on Wheels by ACC. ACC recognizes her commitment to shepherding ACC Programs through a period of tremendous growth.

Linda grew up in a family that placed high value on participating in community activities by including everyone who wanted to join. Many of her childhood memories are of her mom serving as a room parent for her kids when they were in elementary school while her father coached Little League games.  Even though both her parents worked full-time, they always found time to volunteer and to make a difference where they lived. 

In ACC, Linda found a place that shared her values. Everyone believed older adults had the capacity to live fulfilling and independent lives and wanted to figure out how to make that happen.  Linda was hired for her grant writing and program development experience. She quickly got busy building up programs and embracing volunteers to join forces with her.

Over her 12-year tenure, Linda developed the Lifelong Learning and Wellness Program, 65-70 classes, clubs, and activities that met every week at the ACC Campus. She implemented Bridge to Healthy Families, a program to improve access to comprehensive support services for family caregivers; respite care through the Friendly Visitors Program, where volunteers serve as friendly companions to seniors or people with disabilities; and SCSEP (Senior Community Service Employment Program) a community service and work-based job training program for older adults. Many other programs have come and gone depending on the needs of the community and the availability of funding. 

Linda says her favorite grant was from Sac Metro Art Program. This grant funded classes in playwriting, acting, dancing and performance.  At the end of the grant period, the students came together and performed a play written by one of the them, Pattie Hashimoto.  The effect was lasting. Over the past 10 years, with volunteer Glenn Watanabe, ACC developed an outstanding ukulele, guitar, singing, and hula program. The community has come to recognize the talents of the students when they perform at senior centers and community celebrations. 

One of Linda’s most memorable moments was her first-time ride with ACC Rides, the transportation program started by Virginia Wieneke in 2003. She rode with volunteer drivers Ken Ito and Ann Okamura. Linda appreciated the independence the program gave to older adults but was very impressed with the level of care and friendliness the volunteers gave to the riders.

Whether people were introduced to ACC through the Care Center, looking for senior classes, or in need of assistance, Linda brought many of them into ACC to teach a class, participate in community celebrations, or volunteer in some capacity. Linda knew and valued the volunteers and their great capacity to enrich their lives and others by participating in ACC. The connections she made with them encouraged many of them to continue their involvement with ACC for many years.

Linda shared that one of her favorite things the volunteers and participants would do over the years is to bring sweets to the office — Janet Sakata’s apple pie, Gee Kong’s pear pie, Keiko Damon’s weekly cookies, Sheri Morishita’s blueberry mochi and dips, Jean Shiomoto’s baked treats, Michelle Ogata’s desserts, and Pattie Hashimoto’s holiday treats.  And, of course, Alfred Yee’s lunches at ACC were always a highlight.

ACC has a firm policy of keeping classes and programs affordable to anyone who wants to participate. This made funding rather challenging at times and Linda saw Big Day of Giving as a great opportunity to help raise money for programs.  In 2014, Linda began showcasing ACC’s programs and made it a community event. It raised $9,000. ACC’s success was even recognized one year on the front page of the Sacramento Bee! This year, BDoG raised $160,000, breaking the all-time fundraising record for a single event. It highlighted all areas of ACC Senior Services in its first ever telethon.

Recently, Meals on Wheels by ACC recognized its participants would do well to have its program services expand and developed a Director of Programs position.  Linda saw this as an opportunity to grow new programs from scratch. She knew with her experience, knowledge, and the ethos of valuing volunteers and community she would create something great for them. 

Outside of ACC Linda is active with the Alzheimer’s Association, Yolo Hospice, and UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center.  Currently, she is a mentor for the Big Day of Giving organization, and sits on the Community Advisory Board for UC Davis, and API Advisory Council for the Alzheimer’s Association.

It is with utmost admiration and gratitude that ACC honors Linda Revilla for her lasting contributions to our community, made with so much love and care.

Along Came Linda

Louise Joyce, Director of Community Development, Yolo Hospice…

“Linda understood that the conversation with our seniors in regards to end-of-life issues were limited, so she collaborated with Yolo Hospice on several events. Her ever present and endless commitment to the service of our seniors is a delight to behold. She never stops listening, paying attention and meeting their needs in creative ways.”

Bonnie Rae, Family Care Specialist, Alzheimer’s Association, N. Cal and N. Nevada Chapter…

“I met Linda when I was completing my Master in Social Work (MSW) degree. She was one of my supervisors for my internship. She, along with my other supervisors, mentored me throughout the academic year and beyond. I give credit to Linda for helping me develop skills in micro-, meso-, and macro-practice of social work. She is one of the reasons why I have an interest in grant writing and program development. Of all the years of knowing and collaborating with Linda, I would have to say we have done some of our best work together over food.”

Glenn Watanabe, Music Volunteer, ACC Senior Services…

“Linda  might not have realized it then but she became our first booking agent when she asked us to perform at the annual ACC Open House.  Since then, the Pocket Pickers and newer ukulele and guitar groups  have performed at  sister agencies, the Crocker Art Museum and all the Big Day of Giving and holiday concerts, just to name a few.  Linda recognized early on that it really wasn’t about the ukulele but the seniors learning new skills, socializing and giving back to our communities.”

Oanh Meyer, PhD, MAS, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine…

“I’ve known Linda for a couple of years through my research studies in the community. She has been a valuable source of information throughout the years and is currently serving on my community advisory board through the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. I very much appreciate all the knowledge and insight she has provided!“

ACC has served the Sacramento community since the early 1970s. Long on vision and strong on planning, ACC has enjoyed tremendous growth decade after decade. Next year, ACC will celebrate its 50-year anniversary. But its work doesn’t stop there.

On August 18, 2020, ACC rolled out its 2021-2025 Strategic Plan at a virtual town hall meeting attended by approximately 80 ACC staff, members of the Board, volunteers, and key stakeholders. This was the culmination of a one-day strategic planning retreat held last year on August 17th and twelve  meetings of the ACC Executive Committee and Executive Management team since then. 

Attendees of the strategic planning retreat worked collaboratively to develop the four key goals and then the ACC Executive Team and the Executive Committee developed the action plan and guiding principles to achieve them. The ACC Board of Directors approved the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan at the August 31, 2020 Board meeting with the theme of Honoring the Past – Transforming for the Future.  The Goals are:

Goal #1: To be a premier provider of community and residential services focused on creating meaningful life experiences for older adults and their families 

Goal #2: To develop a business model that spurs program growth and charitable giving, while ensuring high levels of quality services and financial stability 

Goal #3: To be the preferred employer of an engaged workforce by supporting professional development and the collective contributions of our staff 

Goal #4: To cultivate an organization-wide culture where volunteers and staff work hand-in-hand to fulfill the vision and mission of ACC Senior Services 

The COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s racial issues played a role in developing these goals. They have broadened our view of health and safety and our responsibilities to the greater community. ACC will remain clear-eyed and proactive about handling these and other exigencies that will come our way.

The 2021-2025 Strategic Plan will be guided by the following principles:

• Emphasizing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Ensuring Financial Sustainability
• Reshaping Services & Programs with Technology
• Reimagining Volunteer Engagement
• Enhancing Social Interaction 

The Five-Year Strategic Plan lists specific strategies under each goal. These include:

• Creating a holistic environment at ACC where clients, residents, families, volunteers and staff have opportunities to nurture their body, mind, and spirit 
• Promoting ACC in the community as a thought leader and trusted expert on aging issues and best practices 
• Increasing transportation services to older adults living in ACC residential communities as well as those living at home 
• Developing a plan to remodel the Care Center and/or build an additional post-acute facility to maintain ACC’s viability and improve the level of resident privacy and self-direction 
• Evaluating the efficacy of ACC adding or collaborating on affordable housing options for seniors 
• Continuing to integrate services throughout ACC, eliminate siloed thinking, and promote teamwork across program lines 
• Developing a robust Intergenerational Program, engaging the local community throughout all ACC divisions to enhance community service and connectedness 
• Establishing a viable fundraising and endowment plan to sustain current programs and enable future growth of ACC 
• Expanding the Career Advancement Program (CAP) to include all employees and develop additional modules to meet employee development needs 
• Developing and scaling ACC’s unique “Community of Caring” brand throughout the community 
• Exploring and developing options to attract and retain high quality staff 
• Cultivating an ACC Core Value-driven workforce including both staff and volunteers. 
• Promoting communication, mutual understanding, and respect among staff and volunteers 

Each of these strategies (and there are many more) has an action plan and owners assigned to them. ACC’s Executive Management Team will report quarterly to the ACC Board of Directors on the progress of the strategies and action plans.  The Strategic Plan will be reviewed annually, adjustments made as needed, and shared with the ACC Community.   

Amidst all this, ACC is prepared to adapt to future changes in the marketplace. The number of older adults and their life expectancy will continue to rise, driving more demand for assisted-living, memory care, and in-home services. More social services and life-long learning programs will be needed too. 

The Strategic Plan also calls for developing a strong culture of philanthropy and business innovation. The Big Day of Giving held in May raised a record-breaking $160,000, a clear indicator that the community is passionate about what ACC does. Jean Shiomoto, our Board Chair, believes that the challenge in the next five years is to create more opportunities for philanthropic donations and creating endowments that will lead to  new, impactful programs for seniors.

ACC’s stature in the community has risen over five decades. People and other institutions will continue to seek ACC’s views on a range of healthcare and social issues, especially those that affect underserved seniors and people of color. Because of this, ACC needs to move in the direction of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are no longer just serving the Asian community.

ACC is already seeing a more diverse workforce and client base, but there is more work to be done. The transformation will continue in the next five years.