“Not your typical center” is how Openhouse + On Lok Community Day Services (CDS) describes its new, first-of-its-kind adult day center at 75 Laguna Street in San Francisco.
CDS brings together the experience and community expertise of Openhouse and On Lok, a leading nonprofit provider of healthcare and programs for older adults, to provide services that embrace LGBTQ participants’ identity and individuality.
In this safe and life-affirming space, LGBTQ seniors can engage with their community and benefit from meals, services to support wellness and personal care, transportation, and social activities. The program is offered with a sliding scale discount to make it affordable to all.
“The center is on the second floor of a brand-new facility built by Openhouse. It houses an activity room equipped with a projector, screens, and other state-of-the-art technology—this is where most therapeutic sessions, meals, and social interaction will take place,” said Francesca Gonzalez, On Lok’s Director of Senior Programs - Day Services.
“We have a kitchen where we can receive and serve daily hot meals and gender-neutral bathrooms with showers for personal care and toileting. There is also a library where participants can enjoy quiet space and a variety of queer magazines, books, and memorabilia.”
The center shares an outdoor space with the residents of Openhouse Community at 55 Laguna, with picnic tables and natural shade.
“We have found highly qualified staff who are passionate about working with LGBTQ seniors and who also identify within the queer community,” said Gonzalez. “We have brought on board Gessika Krieger, who will manage day-to-day onsite operations and is helping to get the center ready to welcome participants, Ephraim Getahun, manager of community partnerships, Openhouse + On Lok Community Day Services, has been working with the community to identify seniors who would most benefit from CDS services.
“Openhouse is a trusted name in the LGBTQ community, while On Lok is the expert in senior programming and healthcare,” said Gonzalez. “Ours is a true partnership that will ensure community members feel heard, seen, and taken care of, with no barriers from intake to participation, in full respect of their individual story.”
