News from: Cathedral City Senior Center
Dear Cathedral City Senior Center Community,
To help protect the health, safety and well-being of our seniors, volunteers, visitors, and employees from the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Cathedral City Senior Center is suspending all person-to-person contact and group activities, effectively closing, beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 through Friday, April 3, 2020. Reevaluation will be made at that time.
This decision was made based on information provided by our public health authorities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Office of the Governor, and Riverside County Public Health. We will continue to monitor the reports and updates to determine how to proceed and inform you of any changes.
Our senior population includes those 65 and over who are considered at high risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cathedral City Senior Center provides a variety of social, wellness, recreational, educational and nutritional services to seniors and others in our community. We also serve a large population of seniors at elevated risk of infection due to underlying conditions or who are immunocompromised.
The purpose of the Cathedral City Senior Center is to assist all seniors, from the active to the homebound, by providing services that channel energy, relieve suffering and protect health, happiness and well-being. It’s very important to us to take the precautionary steps necessary to protect seniors. Nothing is more important than their health and safety, so we are working closely with local, state and federal officials to do what we can to blunt the impacts of this pandemic.
Unfortunately, this means closing the center for now, and suspending programs as needed, for the good of our community. However, CCSC staff and board are working to modify the agency’s vital food bank, which will continue on Monday, March 16, in its temporary format. Also, the Center is making plans to continue to provide lunches for qualified members, changing to pick-up during designated hours, for take home rather than dine-in at the Center’s popular congregant lunch.
The senior center is a home away from home for some, a vital resource for others, and the Board of Directors is sensitive to the role the center plays in reducing social isolation. However, the health of seniors and our community is paramount at this time. Therefore, the Executive Board has empowered the Center’s Emergency Preparedness Task Force to create a new program for Center volunteers to regularly call and check-in with CCSC members during this difficult time. Details will be shared as soon as they are available.
Other than for Food Bank and designated lunch order pickups, the Center will be closed. Administrative staff may be available to answer questions at 760.321.1548. Because the situation is complex and evolving rapidly, our plans may change, and we will keep you posted.
CCSC has created a strong community, so we know you will understand when we share that this decision is based on the protection and health of our senior community. Reducing panic and fear by staying connected to one another is more important than ever. So please continue to look out for one another as you already do.
Sincerely,
Geoff Corbin Executive Director