09/17/2026
This is long but PLEASE HELP:
We are asking the community to stand up for Highlands Senior Center at the City Council meeting tomorrow night at 5:45.
We have been operating a senior center for almost 50 years here in Clearlake. We rent a building from the City of Clearlake and all of a sudden, they have decided to go out for an RFP. They are providing no money for the center so they can pick whoever they want. We have been in operation longer than the city has existed. It will take the community to stand up and say they do not want to change the provider of services that exist. The only option would be an organization in our town that have never ran a senior center. Do you want unexperienced people, that do not know our seniors to be in this facility? We have always had an open-door policy, will they? There is only one organization in our town that wants this building for a wellness center, not a senior center. Though they will have to service lunch, what will they really provide for our senior. A sterile center that they will be uncomfortable in. They will come in and eat and be asked to leave after because they will not be able to just hang out with their friends. Made to make an appointment to talk to someone. We love our seniors, we do not consider it a job to talk to them, we will try our hardest to put in play any activities they want. Some stay late and play card several times a week.
Reality: If the community does not stand up to the City Council, we most likely will loss and our non-profit after 50 yrs may not be able be in existence any longer. There are few places we can go and serve the number of seniors we serve as we are the largest center in Lake County.
Council meeting is located at 14050 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, CA at 6pm sharp. I am asking people to show up by 5:45pm.
PLEASE: Help safe Highlands Senior Center by emailing your council members, posting on your facebook, signing our petition, and showing up tomorrow night at the council and show the council the community will not stand for this.
It will take a village to safe our non-profit.
