Avenidas

Re-Inventing Aging

Avenidas in the News

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See the latest coverage and and read our press releases about Avenidas and our senior services in the Palo Alto and Mountain View area.

A Doctor for the End of Life: Geriatricians Take a Holistic Approach to Preserve Older Adults’ Autonomy

Published in Palo Alto Weekly on December 1 by Elizabeth Lorenz.

Palo Alto Weekly features Avenidas Care Partners Manager Paula Wolfson and Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center Director Nancy Keegan in an article on the importance of geriatricians for those 70 and up.

“Their mode is more of the old fashioned family doctor who visits you at home, is patient, gentle and kind. They conduct a comprehensive intake to manage your care, from head to toe.”

Paula Wolfson, Avenidas Care Partners Manager, LCSW
Palo Alto Weekly article on the importance of geriatricians for those 70 and up.

Click the image to download the PDF, or read the article online here.

Center’s Celebration of Chinese Culture Fosters Diversity, Sense of Belonging

Published in Palo Alto Weekly’s “Living Well” by Chris Kenrick, the article features Avenidas Chinese Community Center, Director of Diversity and Outreach Pinki Fung, and Center Director Tracy McCloud on how Avenidas builds connections through bilingual classes and group activities.

“We want people to mingle, have fun, make some more friends and not feel any barriers because of the language or culture.”

Pinki Fung, Director of Diversity and Outreach
"Center’s celebration of Chinese culture fosters diversity, sense of belonging" in Palo Alto Weekly's Living Well

Click the image to download the PDF, or read the article online here.

Celebrating the Holidays Without the Stress at Avenidas

Published in Palo Alto Weekly on November 3 by Elizabeth Lorenz.

The “Living Well” article on page 32 describes how this time of year can be challenging for older adults, and how Avenidas embraces the array of emotions it brings by making sure there’s something for everyone. Following celebrations like the Moon Festival and the Day of the Dead, Avenidas will provide ways to participate and enjoy traditional festivities through the holiday season.

See the activities scheduled for November here.

Living Well feature of the November 3, 2023 Palo Alto Weekly

Click the image to download the PDF, or read the article online here.

Avenidas Rainbow Collective Services in Palo Alto Weekly

Kristina Lugo, Thomas Kingery, and two Avenidas Rainbow Collective members talk with Elizabeth Lorenz at Palo Alto Weekly about seeking safe spaces for LGBTQ older adults and meeting people where they are at.

Thomas Kingery, program manager at Avenidas Rainbow Collective: “The program aims to create opportunities to find, build and enhance relationships…(to) create chosen families.”

Avenidas ‘collective’ provides a safe space for older LGBTQ+ adults

A local gathering of older adults in the LGBTQ+ community is giving them a safe social space, with monthly “gayme” and movie nights at the Palo Alto senior center Avenidas, as well as many excursions to museums or other activities.

Read the complete article »

Press Release: Avenidas Appoints Nisha Koul as Vice President of Development

Starting September 25 with this hire, Avenidas fully staffs a leadership team under President and CEO Amy Yotopoulos

Avenidas, an organization with services and programs devoted to older adults in the San Francisco mid-Peninsula, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nisha Koul, a nonprofit development and fundraising strategist, as the Vice President of Development. This appointment marks a fully staffed leadership team under President and CEO Amy Yotopoulos. With the over 60 population in Santa Clara County expected to grow over 200% in the next 40 years, this leadership team collectively has more than over 145 years of experience in health and gerontology.

Koul, who begins her work at Avenidas on September 25, has 22 years of nonprofit experience in resource development and fundraising strategies. Most recently at YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley, she served as the Director of Annual Campaign, where she led the annual fundraising priorities of the organization and raised nearly $4 million dollars for key YWCA programs and services. Koul also held fundraising and recruitment positions at Clinton Health Access Initiative (Clinton Foundation), High IQ for Humanity, and A. F. Ferguson (a Deloitte group company). With a MBA from the Institute of Rural Management, Anand, and a bachelor’s degree from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Koul’s focus areas include microfinance, gender-based violence presentation, and health and human services.

The development and fundraising team at Avenidas, which Koul will lead, is responsible for signature events in the community, including the annual Lifetimes of Achievement. In concert with the Avenidas Board, she will also direct planned giving at the Avenidas Legacy Society.

“We are delighted to welcome Nisha Koul, who brings an impressive depth and breadth of experience,” said Amy Yotopoulos, President and CEO of Avenidas. “Her track record at the YWCA — plus her dedication to vulnerable populations — aligns perfectly with the mission and vision of Avenidas.”

“Joining the mission and the people at Avenidas will connect my passion for making human-centered impact and my purpose as a resource mobilizer to help communities thrive,” said Nisha Koul, the new Vice President of Development at Avenidas. “I look forward to building and nurturing relationships with the Avenidas community of supporters to help them meet their philanthropic goals in advancing our mission.”

About Avenidas

Since 1969, Avenidas services and programs have been helping older adults in the San Francisco mid-Peninsula area be as active, engaged, and healthy as possible. Annually, Avenidas serves nearly 6,000 participants in two adult enrichment centers and one adult day healthcare center located in Palo Alto and Mountain View. Whether seniors require rides to a doctor’s office, counseling sessions, or technology assistance, or if they want to learn a new language, take an exercise class, or make new friends, Avenidas is here for them.

Contact:
Michelle T. Shinseki
650-289-5427
mshinseki@avenidas.org

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Avenidas Rainbow Collective on KCBS Radio Program, “I’m Listening”

Thomas Kingery and two Avenidas Rainbow Collective members talk with Mary Hughes on KCBS Radio about finding community, healing spaces, and giving back.

Thomas Kingery, program manager at Avenidas Rainbow Collective: “People have come and joined us who…didn’t have either real family or chosen family…they were completely aging alone. And then they come and join our groups and meet people. And I know for a fact they they created healthy relationships with each other…”

Finding community is hard, especially for the elderly LGBTQ+ community

As part of the national I’m Listening campaign, all this week, we’ve been bringing you stories of mental health struggles and resilience from right here in the Bay Area.

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