LIFELONG LAGUNA: HOW IT HELPS & HOW TO JOIN

In year three of Lifelong Laguna — and in the midst of a global pandemic — it’s clear that our efforts are making a difference. Our trained and supervised volunteers, professional care managers, and licensed mental health team have created a support network for anyone who needs it, no matter their age or income. We do not charge for Lifelong Laguna's services, but we are always grateful for donations that support our work.

A Thank You Letter to Our Community

March 13, 2020 was a Friday and the day a National Emergency was declared in the face of a virus ripping through our communities. Little was known at the time as to the severity and extent of transmission of the virus, but one thing was clear: seniors were among the most vulnerable.

Lifelong Laguna, our aging-in-place program that connects older adults to community resources, volunteer friendships, and professional support was tasked with protecting the clients we serve. So we devised a plan for our volunteers to check-in with each member of Lifelong Laguna (95 at the time) to determine what their needs were, what types of support systems they had in place, and how Lifelong Laguna could help. The result: Lifelong Laguna Volunteers have provided several thousand selfless acts of service.

We conducted check-in phone calls; picked-up prescriptions from the pharmacy; made 275 trips to the grocery store; delivered 300 handmade face coverings to each members of Lifelong Laguna, volunteers, and residents at Vista Aliso; installed earthquake safety kits for large furniture items; purchased and gave iPads to low-income seniors to engage in our Zoom programming; organized drive-by birthday celebration parades; and above all, provided friendship, a reassuring voice, and a lifeline for those who needed it most.

To our volunteers: THANK YOU.
     
To our community partners such as the Assistance League Laguna Beach (iPads), Laguna Presbyterian Church (home modification assessments), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (face coverings), Laguna Beach CERT (earthquake kits), Ebell Club; the City of Laguna Beach and Habitat for Humanity OC (home repair program): THANK YOU.

To the community of Laguna Beach for supporting us as we do our best to help the most vulnerable:  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
 
Sincerely,

 John Fay, MSG
 Director | Aging in Place Services

How Do You Become a Member of Lifelong Laguna? Just Ask!

Use the form below to contact program director John Fay. He will make a in-home visit — strictly observing all public health pandemic guidelines — to identify the resources that best meet your needs. These can include:

• One-on-One Volunteer support and engagement
• Activities at the Susi Q or via Zoom
• Support Groups at the Susi Q or via Zoom
• One-on-One Counseling through Feeling the Blues
• Transportation resources
• Quarterly Socials for good cheer and fun
• Weekly check-In phone calls
• Professional Care Management
• In-Home Modification and Safety Assessment

If you or a neighbor, family member, or friend in Laguna Beach could benefit from additional support, use this form to contact John Fay, MSG, call him at 949-715-8107 or email him at johnfay@thesusiq.org.