The Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties

10/27/2026

🍁🍂 The November 2026 issue of San Benito Seniors Connect is HERE! ❤️

November is a time to celebrate gratitude, generosity, and the wonderful people who make San Benito County a great place to live and age!

This month’s newsletter features important senior resources, Medicare Open Enrollment information, community events, and opportunities to stay connected.

📬 Stay informed, stay connected, and help us spread the word! Share this newsletter with friends, family, and neighbors who may benefit.

👉 Read the full November issue here:
https://conta.cc/48eWsm2

💙 Connecting our community, one resource at a time!

San Benito County Chamber City of Hollister, CA Hollister Downtown Association San Benito County Business Council Community Foundation for San Benito County San Benito Connect Volunteers @

10/27/2026

Medicare Open Enrollment: Know Your Options for 2027!

Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15–December 7! Senior Network Services’ HICAP program is offering FREE, unbiased Medicare presentations to help you understand your coverage options and what’s new for 2027.

Join one of three local presentations in Hollister or San Juan Bautista. See the flyer below for dates, times, and locations!

10/21/2026

🎉 BIG NEWS FOR CALIFORNIA’S AGING SERVICES!

💙 $1.8 Million Investment to Strengthen Aging Services Across California!

The California Association of Area Agencies on Aging (C4A) has received a $1.8 million, three-year grant from Kaiser Permanente to help strengthen California’s network of 33 Area Agencies on Aging.

As our population ages, the need for community-based services, caregiver support, and resources for older adults and people with disabilities continues to grow.

This exciting investment will focus on:

✅ Leadership Development – Building stronger, more sustainable aging services organizations.

✅ Technical Assistance & Innovation – Helping agencies develop programs, strengthen operations, and explore new funding opportunities.

✅ Regional Collaboration – Bringing agencies together to share resources, ideas, and solutions.

At the Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, we understand how important it is to have strong, connected aging services that help individuals maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life.

Investing in the organizations that serve older adults today helps build stronger communities for tomorrow! 💙

📅 This statewide initiative will run from September 2026 through August 2029.

10/19/2026

Este miércoles 21 de octubre, la Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Cruz organiza una feria de recursos para personas mayores en el Watsonville Community Room (275 Main Street, 4.º piso). ¡Venga a disfrutar de la comunidad, establecer contactos y compartir una buena compañía! Las puertas se abren a las 3 p. m.; hay estacionamiento gratuito disponible. ¡Comida gratis! Consulte el folleto para obtener más información.

10/19/2026

This Wednesday, October 21st, the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz is hosting a senior resource fair at the Watsonville Community Room (275 Main Street, 4th floor). Come for community, connections, and good company! Doors at 3 PM; free parking available. Free Food! See flyer for more information.

10/15/2026

🌟 Connecting Our Master Plan for Aging to Community Action!

One of the goals of the Master Plan for Aging is to create opportunities for older adults to stay active, engaged, and connected to their communities.

Through San Benito Connect Volunteers, the Seniors Council and our community partners are helping turn that vision into action by connecting residents with meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout San Benito County. 💚

🌿 Meet Ed Franks of Hollister, who has been volunteering at the Bear Gulch Nature Center in Pinnacles National Park for over a year!

Ed helps visitors explore the park, shares helpful hiking and safety tips, and enjoys the friendships and connections he’s made along the way.

His experience is a wonderful example of Goal 3: Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation — encouraging community involvement, connection, and purpose at every age.

👏 Thank you, Ed, for making a difference!

❤️ Interested in giving back? Explore local volunteer opportunities at www.sbcvolunteers.org

Pinnacles National Park Foundation Community Foundation for San Benito County San Benito County Chamber Hollister Downtown Association San Benito County Business Council

🌟 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: ED FRANKS 🌟

🌿 Making a difference at Pinnacles National Park!

Meet Ed Franks of Hollister, a dedicated volunteer at the Bear Gulch Nature Center in Pinnacles National Park!

For over a year, Ed has been welcoming visitors from around the world, sharing hiking recommendations, offering safety tips, and helping people discover the beauty of our local national park. 🏞️

Ed describes volunteering as “one of the most rewarding & satisfying things I have ever done.”

It’s volunteers like Ed who make such a difference in our community! 💚

👏 Thank you, Ed, for your time, dedication, and commitment to helping others!

🌟 Want to make a difference too?

The Pinnacles National Park Foundation is one of the many organizations connecting volunteers with meaningful opportunities in San Benito County.

👉 Explore volunteer opportunities at www.sbcvolunteers.org

❤️ Help us celebrate Ed by liking and sharing this Volunteer Spotlight!

Pinnacles National Park Foundation

10/14/2026

Join the Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center tomorrow for a Cognitive Impairment Caregiver support group. Held on the third Thursday of each month at the Aptos Library, this is a supportive space where family caregivers caring for a loved one with a cognitive impairment can connect, share experiences, and find support. 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM on October 15th. Click the flyer or call 800-624-8304 for more information.

10/10/2026

🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️ Creating Safer Streets for All!

Today’s San Benito County Aging & Long Term Care Commission (ALTCC) meeting featured an informative presentation on the City of Hollister’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Vision Zero Action Plan.

The project focuses on improving roadway safety for everyone, with special attention to older adults, people with disabilities, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

The presentation highlighted proposed safety improvements, including sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and areas surrounding senior living communities and healthcare facilities.

👏 A big thank you to the Hollister Safe Streets for All project team for sharing this valuable information and highlighting the importance of community input in creating safer, more accessible streets for everyone!

👇 Visit the project website to learn more!
https://engagekh.mysocialpinpoint.com/HollisterSS4AVZ

City of Hollister, CA

10/09/2026

UPDATE: Today's Candidate Forum has been CANCELLED due to plumbing issues at Pauline Valdivia Memorial Community Center. We are looking at rescheduling this event, more details to come. We apologize for the inconvenience and last-minute change of plans. Please DO NOT GO to the PVMCC today.