Client Story – Garrett Swing

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Born in Oakland and raised in Alameda for the first eight years of his life, our profiled client traveled all over the world in his formative years due to his father’s work in the military. Garrett Swing always called the East Bay his home base, but moved to San Francisco in 1979 and soon entered a drug rehabilitation program, Walden House.  He really never left after that – except for a few months in Lake County where he stayed after being injured by a nail-laden beam which fell on him after his South of Market apartment building partially collapsed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake! After recovering from his injury, and a brief relapse on drugs, he moved back to the City and lived and worked for the next 2 decades, gaining sobriety for good in 1995. After retirement Garrett, through friends, learned that Curry Senior Center served senior lunches and visited The Center for the first time.

Not too long after, he discovered fun and interesting classes at The Center that kept bringing him back week after week. Garrett enjoys our wellness program, our international cuisine program, but most of all the Healthy Living Reunion group that he has been a part of for over eight years! He loves the friendships that he has made over the years and says that he has “more friends than ever!” Garrett is also an avid volunteer at Curry and has helped out with all kinds of events but he especially liked helping prepare for the annual Curry Senior Center Gala, which he was able to attend in 2016. Garrett says, “No matter who you are, if you have a problem more than likely Curry can solve it or send you where it can be solved.”  We love to see clients thrive on friendships and Garrett is a great example of older adults who can maintain large social networks and be a part of a community that cherishes him as much as we do at The Center. 

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Next Post: Equity At Curry Senior Center

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Women of Wisdom & Wonder (W.O.W. Group)

Category: LGTBQ+
Staff Contact:  Rhianna Borra-Croft | rborra-croft@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Every Wednesday 1:30pm to 3pm
Where: Curry’s John Staley Room

A weekly social support program for Senior LBGTQ+ women to share stories, make connections, and learn about LGBTQ+ Women’s History 

Vietnamese Knitting Class

Category: Arts & Culture
Staff Contact: Trang Ngo (tngo@curryseniorcenter.org) & Anh Tran (atran@curryseniorcenter.org)

When: Mondays 2pm to 4pm
Where: Curry Senior Center

A collective of Vientamese speakers sharing in the joy of Knitting and crochet.

Lunch Bunch

Category: LGTBQ+
Staff Contact: Will Simpson | wsimpson@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Every Wednesday 11:30am to 1pm
Where: Curry Computer Lab (315 Turk Street)

A weekly social program for LGBTQ+ men/male-identifying folks to connect, share stories, offer peer support, and enjoy delicious cuisine.

Current Events (Vietnamese)

Category: Community Programs
Staff Contact: Trang Ngo (tngo@curryseniorcenter.org) & Anh Tran (atran@curryseniorcenter.org)

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am to 12pm
Where: Curry Senior Center

A gathering of Vietnamese speakers discussing cultural interests along with the news in the US and abroad.

Current Events (Lao/ Thai)

Category: Community Programs
Staff Contact: Ngao Theppanya | ntheppanya@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Tuesday 10:30am to 12pm
Where: Curry Senior Center

A gathering of Laotian and Thai speakers sharing resources and discussing news topics both in the US and abroad

Documentaries

Category: Drop In
Staff Contact: Rashaad Bess | rashaad.bess@sfdph.org 

When: Everyday at 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Where: Curry Drop In Center (333 Turk Street, 2nd floor)

Daily viewings of documentaries that range in topic from nature, to history, to wellnes, and more.

News and Discussions

Category: Drop In
Staff Contact: Rashaad Bess | rashaad.bess@sfdph.org 

When: 8:30am to 10am, Everyday.
Where: Curry Drop In Center (333 Turk Street, 2nd floor)

Open discussions regarding the news of the day and current events.

Bingo

Category: Drop In
Staff Contact: Rashaad Bess | rashaad.bess@sfdph.org 

When: Mondays and Saturdays at 10am to 11am
Where: Curry Drop In Center (333 Turk Street, 2nd floor)

Traditional Bingo loved by all.

Current Events (Russian)

Category: Community Programs
Staff Contact: Tanya Khotinets | tkhotinets@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Monday 11am to 12pm
Where: Curry Senior Center

A welcoming group of Russian speakers sharing insights and discussing current events.

Trans Life

Category: LGTBQ+
Staff Contact: Andrea Horne | ahorne@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Wednesdays 2:30pm to 5pm
Where: SF AIDS Foundation

Support group for all trans and gender non-conforming community members.

Home – San Francisco AIDS Foundation (sfaf.org)

Tech Tutoring for Cantonese Speakers

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Judy Siu | jsiu@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Mondays 9am to 10:45am
Where: Curry Computer Lab

Supportive, one-on-one, technology tutoring sessions for clients whose primary or only language is Cantonese.

 

LGBTQ+ Tech Support

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Roberto Alvarez | ralvarez@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Drop In Hours: Mondays 9am to 12pm Shanti Project (730 Polk St.); Tuesdays 10am to 12pm Shanti Project (3170 23rd St), 1pm to 4pm at Curry; Wednesdays 9am to 12pm at OpenHouse (65 Laguna St.); Thursdays 9:30am to 12pm Shanti Project (730 Polk St.); Fridays 9:30am to 12pm at Curry; appt based support sessions
Where: Curry Senior Center, Shanti Project at 730 Polk Street, Shanti Project at 3170 23rd Street, and OpenHouse at 65 Laguna Street

A tech support program for the LGBTQ community that provides one-on-one tech support, tablet training, and assistance with telehealth appointments.

Curry Tech Support

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Angela Hudson | ahudson@curryseniorcenter.org

Drop In Hours: Mondays 9am to 12pm, Thursdays 9am to 12pm 
Where: Curry’s John Staley Room, Curry Senior Center

A tech support program for low-income older adults that provides drop-in tech support, personal tutoring, and a tablet training program for those in need of a device.

Senior Vitality

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Jose Picazo |  jpicazo@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Cohort 9: Mondays 10-11am 
Where: San Francisco Senior Center and Curry Computer Lab  (*Registration is required)

A 1 to 2 year program dedicated to tech training, health management, and loneliness reduction.

Check out Senior Vitality’s YouTube Channel for hundreds of videos on tech training and health management:

Senior Vitality Youtube Channel

Maintenance Program

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Jose Picazo |  jpicazo@curryseniorcenter.org

When: 2x a month on Zoom, 11:30am on 4th Mondays at SFSC, 3pm on 3rd Tuesdays at 315 Turk St.
Where: Online, in-person at San Francisco Senior Center, in person in Curry Computer Lab

An advanced Tech program for Senior Vitality graduates where they continue improving their technology skills and connecting with their community.

Check out a recent article on all the Maintenance Program has to offer:

Curry Senior Center Tech Program

Rainbow Lunch

Category: LGTBQ+
Staff Contact: Andrea Horne | ahorne@curryseniorcenter.org

When:  Monday 11:30am to 1pm (bi-weekly)
Where: at Open House (65 Laguna St,)

Bi-weekly lunch sponsored by Open House for LGBTQ+ Older Adults

Learn more about our partner organization:

Openhouse SF

Resilience

Category: LGTBQ+
Staff Contact: Andrea Horne | ahorne@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Wednesday 1pm to 2pm
Where: Stepping Stone (930 4th street)

A group centered around community and transgender history where participants can discuss their interests.

Learn more about our partner organization:

Stepping Stone | Your Path to Health and Independence (steppingstonehealth.org)

Radical Acts of Gardening

Category: Arts and Culture
Staff Contact: Humberto Pinon | hpinon@curryseniorcenter.org 

When: Wednesday 2:30pm to 3:30pm until March 8th, contact Humberto Pinon for the dates and times that follow
Where: Drop in Center (333 Turk St.)

Radical Acts of Gardening, a garden club, is a space where anyone, no matter their previous knowledge, can come and learn about plants, their care and how to propagate them. Participants help grow plants for display around the Senior Center, to take home or give to a friend and even save a few plants for employees to take.

LGBTQ+ Tech Support

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Roberto Alvarez | ralvarez@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Drop In Hours:   Fridays 9:30am to 12pm
Where: Curry Senior Center

A tech support program for the LGBTQ community that provides one-on-one tech support, tablet training, and assistance with telehealth appointments.

Mindful Meditation

Category: Drop In
Staff Contact: Rashaad Bess | rashaad.bess@sfdph.org 

When: Saturdays and Sundays at 9:45am to 10:45am
Where: Curry Drop In Center (333 Turk Street, 2nd floor)

A program designed to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress

LGBTQ+ Tech Support

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Roberto Alvarez | ralvarez@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Drop In Hours:  Thursdays 9:30am to 12pm
Where: Shanti Project at 730 Polk Street

A tech support program for the LGBTQ community that provides one-on-one tech support, tablet training, and assistance with telehealth appointments.

LGBTQ+ Tech Support

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Roberto Alvarez | ralvarez@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Drop In Hours:  Wednesdays 9am to 12pm
Where: OpenHouse at 65 Laguna Street

A tech support program for the LGBTQ community that provides one-on-one tech support, tablet training, and assistance with telehealth appointments.

LGBTQ+ Tech Support

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Roberto Alvarez | ralvarez@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Drop In Hours: Tuesdays 10am to 12pm Shanti Project (3170 23rd St), 1pm to 4pm at Curry
Where: Curry Senior Center, Shanti Project at 3170 23rd Street

A tech support program for the LGBTQ community that provides one-on-one tech support, tablet training, and assistance with telehealth appointments.

LGBTQ+ Tech Support

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Roberto Alvarez | ralvarez@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Drop In Hours: Mondays 9am to 12pm 
Where: Shanti Project at 730 Polk Street

A tech support program for the LGBTQ community that provides one-on-one tech support, tablet training, and assistance with telehealth appointments.

Chair Exercise

Category: Drop In
Staff Contact: Rashaad Bess | rashaad.bess@sfdph.org 

When: Every Sunday at 10:30am to 11:30am
Where: Curry Drop In Center (333 Turk Street, 2nd floor)

Low impact movements to improve circulation, balance, and overall well-being

Spanish Class

Category: Drop In
Staff Contact: Rashaad Bess | rashaad.bess@sfdph.org 

When: Every Sunday at 11am
Where: Curry Drop In Center (333 Turk Street, 2nd floor)

A language course for beginners

Samahang Pinoy/Current Events (Tagalog)

Category: Community Programs
Staff Contact: Lalaine Favis | lfavis@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Friday 10am to 12pm
Where: Curry Senior Center

A group of Tagalog speakers with an assortment of engaging activities and discussions on Filipino culture.

Arts & Crafts

Category: Drop In
Staff Contact: Rashaad Bess | rashaad.bess@sfdph.org 

When:  Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 10:30am to 11:30am
Where: Curry Drop In Center (333 Turk Street, 2nd floor)

Tons of art activities such as painting, collage, and sketching.

Tech Tutoring for Vitenamese Speakers

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Trang Ngo (tngo@curryseniorcenter.org) & Anh Tran (atran@curryseniorcenter.org)

When: Fridays 1pm to 3pm
Where: Curry Computer Lab

Supportive, one-on-one, technology tutoring sessions for clients whose primary or only language is Vietnamese.

Zoom Hangout

Category: Technology
Staff Contact: Will Simpson/Andrea Horne | wsimpson@curryseniorcenter.org; ahorne@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Friday 11am to 12pm
Where: Online

A virtual gathering every Friday with an array of topics and activities.

SF Public Health

Category: LGTBQ+
Staff Contact: Andrea Horne |  ahorne@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Fridays
Where: Virtual

Support group for Black Trans Women.

Learn more about our partner organization:

Home – San Francisco AIDS Foundation (sfaf.org)

Fluid Friday

Category: LGTBQ+
Staff Contact: Will Simpson/Andrea Horne | wsimpson@curryseniorcenter.org; ahorne@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Friday 10:30am to 11:30am
Where: Fluid Coffee (La Cocina Municipal Marketplace, 332 Golden Gate Ave)

A weekly meet and greet where participants are provided free coffee in a local LGBTQ+-owned and operated cafe.

Learn more about our partner organization:

Fluid (fluidcoopsf.com)

Arts with Elders

Category: Arts and Culture
Staff Contact: Judy Siu / Lalaine Favis
siu@curryseniorcenter.org/ lfavis@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Thursdays 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Where: Curry Senior Center

Art instructor, Min Lee, teaches clients how to draw and paint using various techniques

Ageless

Category: LGTBQ+
Staff Contact: Andrea Horne | ahorne@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Every Thursday 2pm to 4:30pm
Where: Curry Drop In Center (333 Turk Street)

A weekly TGNC social program that brings Trans and Gender Nonconforming folks together to check in with each other while highlighting stories of TGNC existing in cultures around the world with food served.

Shooting Stars

Category: LGTBQ+
Staff Contact: Will Simpson | wsimpson@curryseniorcenter.org

When: Thursday 1pm to 2pm
Where: Stepping Stone (930 4th street)

Gay, LGBTQ, and ally space for particpants to express their thoughts and feelings.

Learn more about our partner organization:

Stepping Stone | Your Path to Health and Independence (steppingstonehealth.org)

Dave Knego

Since 2007, David’s been leading the charge to increase Curry Senior Center’s impact on the lives of San Francisco seniors in need. During his tenure at Curry Senior Center he has launched new programs, expanded the volunteer base, and led the organization through a rebrand. Prior to Curry Senior Center, David served as the Executive Director of Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, where he expanded the agency’s volunteer-based programs supporting homebound and isolated elders. He also worked at Central City Hospitality House, a community center for low-income and homeless adults. His current community involvement includes: Board President of the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium; Board President of the Community Living Campaign; Co-Chair of Advocacy Committee for the Coalition of Agencies Serving the Elderly; Member of the Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Community Advisory Board. David holds a Masters of Social Work Degree from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Biology and Psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

“Curry Senior Center’s staff, residents, donors, volunteers and board of directors are who inspire me every day to make a bigger impact on our community, I’m grateful to be a part of this cause!”