Agency Details:

Lavender Seniors of the East Bay serves LGBT seniors age 55 and older. Our mission is to improve the lives of LGBT seniors with outreach, education, and advocacy.

Description:
Lavender Seniors is a grass-roots community based organization whose success is attributed to a large dedicated cadre of volunteers of all ages. There is 1 full time Director and 1 quarter time project administrator. Services include friendly visits, telephone calls, and shopping assistance to frail LGBT seniors, 3 monthly group meal programs, a newsletter, LGBT senior awareness training for health and human service workers, and periodic educational events. The agency is also active in local, statewide, and national advocacy efforts for increasing legal protections and access to services for LGBT seniors.

History:
Lavender Seniors was started over 14 years ago by a group if LGBT seniors concerned about a lack of services to meet their needs. Due to a long history of oppression and criminalization of homosexuality, LGBT seniors oftern avoid accessing services for fear of being "outed." The survival tool of remaining hidden in-addidion to limited legal rights regarding social security survivor benefits puts LGBT seniors at greater risk of health disparities than heterosexual seniors. To address these issues, the original founders started a monthly potluck and newsletter which has grown to become an organization that now serves over 1,100 members. Foundation, donor, and government funding since 1999 has allowed Lavender Seniors to expand and improve its services for the LGBT senior community in the East Bay.

Contact people:

Dan Ashbrook, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Tomi Smith, Administrative Assistant, (phone), (email)

Address:

1395 Bancroft Ave. San Leandro, CA 94577 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.lavenderseniors.org

Directions:

From SF, 580 FWY East, Exit Dutton St., Left on Dutton Right on Estudillo, Left on Bancroft. 1395 Bancroft is on the right hand side of the street. From Castro Valley 580 Fwy, exit Estudillo, Estudillo to Bancroft and make. . . (more)

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	No others
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	17
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	No
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	Yes

Last updated on August 13, 2009