Covia Communities

For more than 50 years, covia has been a leading nonprofit provider of housing and services for older adults in the bay area. Our mission is to promote positive aging by cultivating healthy and engaged communities with a continuum of innovative services that actively support the whole person. In addition to providing housing through our 13 communities, 8 of which are affordable communities, covia serves more than 18,000 older adults through our community services division's innovative programs, including: (1) home match shared housing provides economic stability and enhanced wellbeing for older adult home providers who offer rooms in their homes in exchange for additional income, help around the house in return for lower rents, and/or companionship. Currently available in marin county, san francisco (sf), contra costa county, and alameda county (fremont). (2) well connected offers more than 80 weekly activities, classes and support groups through free telephone conference and video calls in english and spanish. (3) social call (sc) is a friendly visiting program that began in sf in 2009. Sc makes thoughtful and precise matches between community volunteers and older adults 1:1 for weekly social visits, in-person or by phone. Phone visits anywhere in the us, inperson visits in sf, alameda, marin & sonoma counties. Sc knows older age is a time of creative growth and we want volunteers (often much younger) and participants to find equity and meaningful connection during their visits, with the ultimate goal of reducing loneliness. (4) market day: 24 weekly markets are located at senior centers, affordable senior housing communities, community centers, and faith-based organizations across california that provide fresh fruit and vegetables at wholesale prices along with volunteer opportunities and a social gathering. (5) senior resources provides information and referral assistance and emergency funding in seven counties. Emergency funds are designed to be disbursed on a one-time basis, to provide safety net funding for expenses such as: rent, utilities, car repair, household repairs, medical/dental expenses etc. Three counties have additional unique programs tailored to the specific needs of each county, that is, rotary home team in contra costa county and pantry of home in alameda county. (6) creative spark is a new program inspired by ruth's table at bethany center in san francisco which is founded on creative aging principles of culture shift, be well, grow, and connect. Creative spark intends to package the success and impact of ruth's table, and bring it to a larger community, other residences, aging services, and older adults through staff training and consultation, creative aging curriculum, art kits, and virtual classes with older adults.