Happy 60th birthday LeadingAge California!

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Happy 60th birthday LeadingAge California!  A heartfelt congrats and thank you for all your success and hard work in supporting CA’s older adults, and for featuring two of LifeSTEPS’ affordable housing communities in the 60/60 Tour! LifeSTEPS Executive Director Beth Southorn states, “LifeSTEPS is a proud LeadingAge member and has benefited so much from all the advocacy work that LeadingAge has been doing. We want to thank you for the guidance and the leadership that you offer all of us so we can focus on the important piece which is lives being transformed.” So honored to be part of your celebration!

Making Access to Health Care More Equitable and Fair

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Here at LifeSTEPS, our work is grounded on the value of equity and accessibility when it comes to having opportunities and resources for stability and success, which is why we support eliminating a Medi-Cal asset test that hurts California renters and limits equitable access to healthcare. According to a California Budget & Policy Center fact sheet, millions of renters–particularly older adults, individuals with disabilities, and BIPOC communities–face ongoing health disparities on the basis of age, race, ableism, and class. Renters are also compelled to “spend down” savings in order to qualify for Medi-Cal rather than apply that money towards emergencies or retirement. LifeSTEPS encourages state policymakers to join nine states and Washington D.C .in promoting greater and more equitable healthcare access by amending policies that unfairly cause barriers to essential healthcare.

Celebrating Financial Literacy Month

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Financial Literacy Month may be coming to an end, but at LifeSTEPS our team continues to engage residents in conversations about budgeting, bold savings goals, credit scores and fraud with our Money Matters curriculum and Stretch Your Dollars series. During COVID-19, financial fitness has become even more critical, as families and seniors prioritize paying for rent, food, utilities and transportation. Financial literacy empowers residents to achieve housing stability, age in place and thrive in life.

(DISCLAIMER: Photo was taken pre-COVID.)

Employee Spotlight: Jaylene Cruz

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Jaylene Cruz began her journey at LifeSTEPS working with children as an after-school program coordinator, where she learned from observing and communicating with her Director of Social Services. Now a director herself, she empowers her program coordinators to follow in her footsteps to grow and succeed.

When asked about Jaylene’s abilities, one of her managers stated “Never underestimate Jaylene’s fire and desire to see her students succeed and their parents be at peace, knowing they have such a wonderful support through her and LifeSTEPS.” Jaylene, we applaud your integrity, innovation and enthusiasm.