Marin history: Vivalon celebrates 70 years

Posted on: August 20, 2024

Source: Marin Independent Journal

Vivalon represents how one observation can flourish with committed staff and volunteers for a remarkable long-term impact. In the mid-1950s, Manny Charnow, a retired Realtor, pondered the problems of growing old in Marin. Charnow witnessed many older people visiting stores on Fourth Street in downtown San Rafael and concluded it was because they had no place to go or gather. He began organizing social outings and parties — and soon a club was formed. They originally met in schools or the Red Cross building in San Rafael. In 1954, Wishard Brown, Dr. Charles Aby and Charnow signed the papers of incorporation for the Marin Senior Coordinating Council.

Activities continued, and in the late 1950s, Rose Paul rented an old house at the end of Fourth Street in San Rafael, the current site of IHOP. Yet, the Marin Senior Coordinating Council had limited funds. When rent was due, they’d quickly plan a potluck to raise money. In addition, they had a thrift store in the basement, offered classes and charged membership dues. These efforts kept them afloat for five years. In the early 1960s, IHOP bought the rented home, and they were back to church halls and school rooms.

In 1963, the County Advisory Committee was developed to coordinate a senior project. The county provided $20,000 for a year-long study of seniors’ needs, which turned into a three-year study. The completed report was called the Master Plan for Older Adults in Marin County and written by Dick Phenix. The timing was serendipitous since the federal government was approving the first Older Americans Act. Phenix wrote a proposal to secure funds and the Marin Senior Coordinating Council became the first senior project funded in the state of California.

Transportation services began in 1969 with one driver and a reliable GMC truck called the “Green Machine.” In 1971, the council moved into the train depot at 930 Tamalpais Ave. in San Rafael and began using the Whistlestop name. Robert A. Roumiguiere headed a committee to raise money to add a kitchen. Within 36 days, a $36,000 kitchen was ready to go. In 1972, noontime meals began serving 20,000 meals per year; the Meals on Wheels program began in 1974.

Whistlestop celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1979, serving an aged population of 30,000 in Marin.

“The primary work of the council has always been to give the elderly the three things they need most: someone to care, something to do and some place to stay,” said the late Vera Schultz, Marin’s first woman supervisor.

Beginning in 1993, a multicultural program was added to provide support in Spanish, Vietnamese and Farsi languages on vital issues including housing, legal assistance, health care, employment, tax preparation and obtaining United States citizenship.

In 2003, the new logo celebrated its 50th anniversary with the tagline “Whistlestop Meals, Wheels and More.” The organization received a $200,000 grant from Jackson’s Hardware for upgrades. At this time, 49 wheelchair-accessible vehicles made 121,000 trips annually. By 2014, there were 60 vehicles in partnership with Marin Access.

In 2020, Whistlestop became Vivalon. On Jan. 21, 2022, Vivalon closed escrow on a property exchange with BioMarin. Located at 999 Third St. in San Rafael, the Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus further fulfills the mission to promote the independence and well-being of Marin senior citizens. Described as “an affordable, vital modern living hub,” it offers 66 affordable studio units, a community center, healthy aging center and medical facility. Vivalon will commemorate their 70th anniversary on Sept. 22 with a special open house at this new site that highlights caring, connection and a place to call home.

Learn more and RSVP at vivalon.org/70years.

Read the full article here.

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