Join AARP for May Events in the Bay Area!

The AARP San Jose Office is here locally offering events, local resources, and more throughout the Bay Area. Join us for virtual and in-person events!

Virtual Memorial Day Card Writing Service Project (May 1 @ 10:30 a.m. PT | Virtual)
Join us as we send our gratitude and greetings to our veterans this Memorial Day. Registrants will receive a card kit to participate in this activity in the U.S. Mail. Each kit will include up to 10 blank greeting cards, stickers, and return postage. Each person who would like to participate will need to register to receive a kit. The registration deadline is April 22, 2024. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

How to Choose a New Computer (May 9 at 9 a.m. PT | Zoom)
Join us for a FREE, interactive, online tech class designed for learning, self-improvement, and fun. During this introductory lecture, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP will explore considerations when choosing your next new device. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Where I Belong Author Talk: Healing Trauma & Embracing Asian American Identity (May 3 at 11 a.m. PT | Zoom)
Join authors, Soo Jin Lee, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Linda Yoon, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for a conversation about their best seller book, Where I Belong. Their book illuminates how trauma perpetuates through generations and impacts relationships, emphasizing the Asian American experience for better understanding and healing of racial and intergenerational trauma. During this event, hear from the authors and learn more about their book, how it came to be, and how to address a unique form of trauma that encompasses both racial and intergenerational suffering. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Film Screening & Discussion of “Because of You, I am” (May 10 at Noon | Zoom)
Join us for a film screening of “Because of You, I am” by filmmaker and artist Doug Menuez and executive producer Pear Urushima. The film is a short documentary about Roy and PJ Hirabayashi, founders of San Jose Taiko and pioneers of North American taiko, a form of drumming with roots in Japanese culture that is influenced by other notable genres. Taiko is more than a musical form for the Hirabayashis – it is about way of life and a medium of expression that allows you to find your voice. Following the film screening, Pear, PJ and Roy will have a conversation about the film, their 50 years of taiko, and what’s next. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

How Homelessness Impacts Older Adults: A Conversation with Dr. Margot Kushel, MD (May 16 @ 11:30 a.m. PT | Virtual)
Join nationally renowned expert Dr. Margot Kushel for a discussion about the impact of homelessness on California’s older adult population. It is estimated that about 40% of Santa Clara County homeless are older adults aged 55 or older. By 2030, an estimated 400,000 Santa Clara County residents will be 65 an older, making up for one-fifth of the population. Some have called the growing older adult homeless population locally and around California a “silver tsunami.” During this event we will explore the data further, as well as the complex interactions between health and homelessness and potential solutions to prevent and address the issue. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Morgan Hill Family Health & Wellness Resource Fair (May 18 @ 10 a.m. PT | Morgan Hill)
Join us at the City of Morgan Hill’s Family Health & Wellness Center where you can learn about local resources, connect with community members and organizations, and more. Learn more about this in-person, free event HERE.

Power of Song in Community Building and Social Connection (May 21 @ Noon PT | Virtual)
Join journalist and AARP volunteer, David Louie, for a conversation with leaders and participants of the San Francisco Community Music Center neighborhood choir program. Learn how the power of song has helped bring older adults and adults with disabilities together, stave off social isolation and loneliness, and improved participant overall wellness. Also, learn how you can start a neighborhood choir in your own community. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Senior Safari: Enjoy a Day at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (May 23 @ 9 a.m. PT | San Jose) 
Join AARP California for Happy Hollow Park & Zoo’s Senior Safari series and enjoy a day at the zoo. This program is designed to help older adults improve their health, avoid social isolation, and enjoy a unique environment that stimulates both mind and body. Senior Safari admission and parking are free for those ages 50-plus that arrive before 10 a.m. PT (the park opens to seniors at 9 a.m. PT), and guests are welcome to stay for the day after gates open to the public. Learn more HERE. This in-person event is free and open to the public. Registration is conducted on-site, in person.

Let’s Take It Outside: Explore Angel Island (May 24 at Noon | Angel Island)
Join AARP California for a leisurely hike at scenic Angel Island State Park and a guided tour of the Angel Island Immigration Station. Angel Island State Park, the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay, offers stunning views of the surrounding Bay Area. This visit will begin with a 1.2-mile scenic hike from Ayala Cove to the Angel Island Immigration Station. The staff from the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation will then facilitate a guided tour of the immigration station that was once known as the “Ellis Island of the West” and has strong historical ties to Asian American communities in the region. After the tour, enjoy a leisurely hike from the immigration station back to Ayala Cove. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and space is limited.

Please note, the visit will require a hike of approximately 2.5-miles in total. Access to Angel Island State Park is by public ferry or private boat. All attendees will need to coordinate their own transportation to Ayala Cove where all arriving vessels to Angel Island State Park dock.

Find more virtual events on the AARP Virtual Community Center.

 

AARP UPDATES AND RESOURCES:
Advocacy & Education Podcast: In Clear Terms with AARP California™ 
Stay up to date by subscribing and listening to In Clear Terms with AARP California™ - a free podcast that focuses on issues impacting Californians of all ages. The podcast features conversations with community leaders, issue experts, and AARP staff and volunteers to help you understand critical issues that impact our state. Learn more and listen HERE.

Fraud and Scam Prevention 
Visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360 to report a scam or get help if you’ve fallen victim. The Fraud Watch Network also offers news, tips, and online learning videos on how to spot and stop common scams.

Caregiving 
AARP supports millions of family caregivers by providing free resources and tools. View and download the AARP Prepare to Care caregiving guide, offered in English, Spanish and Chinese at aarp.org/caregiving. Individuals taking care of a loved one can also call the AARP Caregiver Support Line at 877-333-5885.

Manage Debt & Savings
Did you know AARP offers an array of resources and tools to help support you manage debt and save? Learn more at aarp.org/money.

Thrive in the Job Market
Navigating today’s ever-changing job market can be tough, but AARP is here to help you through it. Whether you are starting a job search or looking to advance your career, AARP has custom tools and services that can help you, available at aarp.org/work.