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The Seniors Council/Area Agency on Aging for Santa Cruz & San Benito County, the City of Hollister, and the San Benito County Local Transportation Authority (LTA) have committed to continuing all the services currently being provided to San Benito County Seniors at the Pauline Valdivia Memorial Center in Hollister.
All seniors being provided meals, transportation, caregiver support, and other services at the center will continue to receive them.
The City of Hollister is committed to retaining the center as a focal point for services to older adults. Hollister Parks and Recreation is supporting that effort and making additional space available if needed. Service providers may change, but the type of services provided will still be provided.
LTA and San Benito Council of Governments (COG) reaffirms their commitment to serving the transportation needs of the community through its ongoing services for seniors and individuals requiring out-of-county medical transportation.
To ensure the highest quality and greatest availability of services being offered, funds are required to be “put out to bid” by the Area Agency on Aging and the LTA every four years.
In the most recent bid processes, Martha’s Kitchen, Health Projects Center, and Transdev were awarded contracts for service. Previous provider Jovenes de Antaño was unsuccessful in their application to provide meals. Jovenes de Antaño withdrew their application and/or did not apply to continue providing specialized transportation and family caregiver support programs. All ongoing senior services will continue to be provided through the new providers.
Martha’s Kitchen was recently recognized as the Non-Profit of the Year for State Assembly District 29 by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. Health Projects Center has been providing local programs for caregivers for decades. Transdev (a public transport company) is focused on maintaining constant emphasis on passenger experience and providing excellent customer service. Their community focused approach aligns with the LTA’s goals – ensuring that accessibility and mobility are available for everyone through safe, reliable transportation services.
Other local senior services funded by the Seniors Council/Area Agency on Aging, including Senior Legal Services, Tax Counseling Assistance, Aging & Disability Resource Connections, Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman continue to operate. The Foster Grandparent Program (seniors helping school children) is slated to be eliminated in the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Federal budget.
Contacts: Clay Kempf Executive Director Seniors Council 831 688-0400 ext. 115 clayk@seniorscouncil.org
Charles Wall Parks and Recreation Director Executive Director City of Hollister (831) 636-4390 charles.wall@amedina2020