Sacramento Senior Safe House now hosting its first guests
After a decade-long gestation, the Sacramento Senior Safe House – a safe and comfortable refuge for abused and neglected seniors – is now hosting its first guests.
The men and women who are coming to the Sacramento Senior Safe House are referred to the home by Sacramento County Adult Protective Services. Until the safe house's opening in September, APS staff were forced to place clients in less-than-ideal temporary quarters, including motels and hospitals.
"They're the forgotten population," said Elizabeth Foster-Ward, manager of Sacramento County APS. "We've found seniors living in a shed in the backyard and they're paying rent to live in this substandard, unlivable situation."
Such are the real-life horror stories that prompted Maxine Milner Krugman's 10-year crusade to help Volunteers of America establish the Sacramento Senior Safe House. The six-bedroom haven for abused and neglected seniors became reality July 23 with a dedication ceremony honoring Krugman and project partners Mercy Housing California, HomeAid Sacramento and Lennar. (To read the press release, click here. To see photos from the event, click here.)
Construction of the six-bedroom, 4,783-square-foot Sacramento Senior Safe House began in January, and was completed in June. Landscaping was finished in July.
"Of course, the safety of an abused or neglected senior is most important, but let there be no doubt that spending a little time in the Sacramento Senior Safe House should be a boost to self esteem, and remind these folks that they are worthy and deserving of respect," said Krugman, a former chair of Sacramento County's Adult and Aging Commission, and long-time senior advocate.
Providing the kind of healing atmosphere Krugman envisioned is Sacramento Senior Safe House Program Director Juanita Daniel, who calls her position of aiding abused, neglected and exploited seniors "a privilege."
Abused and neglected seniors 62 and older will receive 30 days of shelter at the Sacramento Senior Safe House, which is distinguished from other emergency shelter options by its home-like environment.
Volunteers of America expects to help as 72 seniors annually at the unique facility situated on an acre of oak-dotted land tucked away in a quiet, residential area of Sacramento.
For more on the history of the Sacramento Senior Safe House, including early photos of the project site, please click here.
Volunteers of America is working toward sustainable revenue to cover the program's $300,000 annual operating budget. We also are in need of several in-kind donations (please see the Wish List link on the right of the page).
To contribute to this much-needed program, call 916.442.3691, or go to our online donation page.
Sacramento Senior Safe House now hosting its first guests
After a decade-long gestation, the Sacramento Senior Safe House – a safe and comfortable refuge for abused and neglected seniors – is now hosting its first guests.
The men and women who are coming to the Sacramento Senior Safe House are referred to the home by Sacramento County Adult Protective Services. Until the safe house's opening in September, APS staff were forced to place clients in less-than-ideal temporary quarters, including motels and hospitals.
"They're the forgotten population," said Elizabeth Foster-Ward, manager of Sacramento County APS. "We've found seniors living in a shed in the backyard and they're paying rent to live in this substandard, unlivable situation."
Such are the real-life horror stories that prompted Maxine Milner Krugman's 10-year crusade to help Volunteers of America establish the Sacramento Senior Safe House. The six-bedroom haven for abused and neglected seniors became reality July 23 with a dedication ceremony honoring Krugman and project partners Mercy Housing California, HomeAid Sacramento and Lennar. (To read the press release, click here. To see photos from the event, click here.)
Construction of the six-bedroom, 4,783-square-foot Sacramento Senior Safe House began in January, and was completed in June. Landscaping was finished in July.
"Of course, the safety of an abused or neglected senior is most important, but let there be no doubt that spending a little time in the Sacramento Senior Safe House should be a boost to self esteem, and remind these folks that they are worthy and deserving of respect," said Krugman, a former chair of Sacramento County's Adult and Aging Commission, and long-time senior advocate.
Providing the kind of healing atmosphere Krugman envisioned is Sacramento Senior Safe House Program Director Juanita Daniel, who calls her position of aiding abused, neglected and exploited seniors "a privilege."
Abused and neglected seniors 62 and older will receive 30 days of shelter at the Sacramento Senior Safe House, which is distinguished from other emergency shelter options by its home-like environment.
Volunteers of America expects to help as 72 seniors annually at the unique facility situated on an acre of oak-dotted land tucked away in a quiet, residential area of Sacramento.
For more on the history of the Sacramento Senior Safe House, including early photos of the project site, please click here.
Volunteers of America is working toward sustainable revenue to cover the program's $300,000 annual operating budget. We also are in need of several in-kind donations (please see the Wish List link on the right of the page).
To contribute to this much-needed program, call 916.442.3691, or go to our online donation page.