In 2004, Terry Englehart was worried about the shortage of resources for isolated and lonely seniors.  Her work involved providing information and referrals to seniors and their families, yet the question of how to alleviate the boredom and loneliness of homebound older adults continually occupied her mind.

Then the magical three happened…

• Terry learned about DOROT University Without Walls, a program in New York City that offers classes to seniors on the phone
• An anonymous donor gave $2500 to the information and referral program to assist seniors in any way needed
• Terry saw a poster advertising “Cheap Conference Calls”

It all came together!  That summer, Terry asked six of her clients if they would enjoy meeting together over the telephone.  With the weekly phone meeting of “Funny Bones”, they launched the first of a growing multitude of telephone activities known as Senior Center Without Walls.

Terry continued to nurture the program, adding special events and presentations, recruiting volunteers, managing everything from program development to writing thank you cards.

In April of 2006, Episcopal Senior Communities took on Senior Center Without Walls as one of their outreach programs.  Since that time, Senior Center Without Walls has served over 1000 older adults.

STAFF
Terry Englehart
MA, Gerontology
Director

Amy Schaible
MA, Gerontology 
Associate Director

Jennifer Cancino 
MA, Gerontology
Program Administrator

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Linda Ayala, MA MPH
Training and Outreach Coordinator
Public Authority for IHSS in Alameda County

Maggie Britton
SCWW Volunteer

Louise Burton
SCWW Volunteer

Tracy Powell
Vice President of
Community Services                Episcopal Senior Communities

Patt Schroeder
SCWW Volunteer

Mary Louise Zernicke
MS MPH RD CSG
Senior Nutrition Consultant
Alameda County Area Agency on Aging

Senior Center Without Walls is a non-denominatinal, non-profit program sponsored by