Open House Senior Center (OHSC) - City of El Cerrito

Recreation Department

Open House Senior Center (OHSC)

Home Town Programs That Fit Your Lifestyle

6500 Stockton Avenue, El Cerrito
Monday - Thursdays, 8AM-5PM
Friday, 8AM-4PM

Tel.(510) 559-7677
Fax.(510) 524-3965

Our Mission
The Open House Senior Center is committed to improving the quality of life for older adults.

It is the goal of our staff and volunteers to provide programs and services for the vigorous and independent person as well as the frail and vulnerable in the most integrated setting. We value and respect every ones right to age in place.

Classes & Programs
Alzheimer Respite Program, Art Classes (Acrylic, Drawing, and Watercolor), Awareness Through Movement, Balance Training & Fall Prevention, Barber, Birding Trip, Broadway/Old Time Songs, Caregivers Support Group, Case Management, Cash Bingo, Chess Group, Computer Classes, Creative Writing, Easy Ride Transportation Service, Excursions & Shopping Trips, Exercise, Folk Dance, Footcare Clinic, Grocery Bingo, Hairdresser, Health Insurance Counseling (HICAP), Hiking, Kayaking, Knitting & Crochet, Mah Jong, Massage, Mat Exercise, Matting Work of Arts, Music Composition, Nintendo Wii, Podiatry, Senior Women's Support Group, Tai Chi, Tea Dance, and Health Workshops.

60 Plus Bulletin
To keep current on services and programs benefiting older adults, call (510) 559-7677 and ask to be put on the 60 Plus Bulletin mailing list. Join our wellness program, senior excursion/trips, free workshops, computer classes and special events. Click here for the 60 Plus Bulletin.

El Cerrito CoCo Cafe
Enjoy a nutritious meal at a friendly atmosphere. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, 12 noon, at the Open House Senior Center. 4 Daily Entree Choices: Entree D'Jour, Cheese Burger, Chef's Salad and Seafood Louie Salad. Please call (510)559-7677 for advance reservation. $2 Suggested Donation. Lunch Menu and More

Facility Rental
The Open House Senior Center is available for rental by public and private groups on Saturdays & Sundays. The facility includes a fully equipped kitchen, patio and barbecue. Seating up to 80 people. A five hour minimum rental time is required. More..

Calendar of Events
Tea Dance
Wed., June 17, 1PM-4PM, at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. $4 admission at the door. Enjoy monthly themes, snacks & prizes.

El Cerrito Committee on Aging
Wed., June 17, 3PM at the El Cerrito City Hall, City Council Chambers, 10890 San Pablo Avenue. General public is invited.

What's NEW at OHSC!!!
Senior Women Support Group
This is an on-going, low-fee group for older women who are isolated or stressed by life circumstances and could benefit from sharing with other women in a supportive environment. Meets every Thursday, 10:30AM-12:30PM at the OHSC. $12/session E.C Resident/$14 for Non-resident. Call Amy Glick, MFT at (510) 220-5043 for information.

Acrylic Painting
with Donna Fenstermaker on Thursdays,1PM-4PM at OHSC. No Experience Necessary. We will use acrylic painting or watercolor. Students provide their own materials. Beginning to advanced students are welcome. Free enrollment on first day of semester or any time in the semester, you may enroll in person or online at www.contracosta.edu.

Watercolor Painting with Donna Fenstermaker on Wednesdays,1PM-4PM at OHSC. We will use each others work to learn from in our critiques. We will use books, articles and movies to help us explore watercolor. Critique every session 1-2PM. Free enrollment on first day of semester or any time in the semester, you may enroll in person or online at www.contracosta.edu.

Drawing with Sai Thongvanh on Mondays,3PM-6PM at OHSC. Free enrollment on first day of semester or any time in the semester, you may enroll in person or online at www.contracosta.edu.

Senior Citizen Emergency List
El Cerrito residents who would like to register at the Open House Senior Center, call (510)559-7677 to leave your name, address, telephone #, and contact person outside the state in case of a local emergency.

Volunteer Job Opportunities
Volunteers bring very special skills and talents to the City of El Cerrito. The City's performance delivering services to the public is greatly enhanced by volunteers. Rewards are many for those who volunteer. Job experience is gained, new skills are learned while keeping active and doing something worthwhile. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

Jo & Jack Sudall.

There is an immediate need for volunteers to perform the following tasks at the Open House Senior Center:

Respite Group Volunteers: Provide assistance to persons with Alzheimer's Disease and other memory loss. In turn, this gives caregivers a break.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers: Deliver noon day meals to the homebound in Kensington, El Cerrito and Richmond Annex.

Computer Lab Volunteers: Teach computer skills at our Computer Learning Center.

60+ Newsletter Volunteers: Help label newsletters for our monthly mailing.

For more information, call Ellen Paasch,
Program Supervisor at (510) 559-7035
or email epaasch@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.

Exercise Class

Social Recreation

Click here! for Senior Excursions!

updated 5/1/2009

The Open House Senior Center (OHSC) offers many exciting and informative programs and excellent services for older adults. Experience travel, computer classes, exercise opportunities, day trips, shopping, health lectures, and more!

Aquatics

Cultural Arts & Literature

Health and Wellness

Support Groups

Social Recreation

Elkhorn Slough Trip 2008

East Bay Paratransit
(El Cerrito Residents Only)
The City of El Cerrito subsidizes East Bay Paratransit fares with Measure C sales tax funds. El Cerrito residents who are enrolled with East Bay Paratransit will be able to buy a book of ten tickets (worth $30) for $15. There is a limit of two books per month and enrollment with East Bay Paratransit will be verified. Tickets may also be purchased at the Open House Senior Center, or by mail at City of El Cerrito, Paratransit Tickets, 10940 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530. Checks are payable to City of El Cerrito. For further information or to find out if you qualify for this service, call (510) 559-7677.

ADA Application Package

Riders Guide

Fare Ticket Order Form

Easy Ride Transportation
Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday 9AM-5PM
(El Cerrito Residents Only)
Fee: $1.00 each way

Easy Ride Application Form

Easy is a transportation service to help senior citizen and disabled residents perform daily activites within the City of El Cerrito. Funded by the City of El Cerrito and Contra Costa County Measure C sales tax revenue.

Arranging transportation with Easy Ride is fast and simple for seniors 60 and older and the disabled. El Cerrito residents may schedule a ride for the same day as your appointment between 8:30am - 9:30am or anytime in advance of your trip between 8:00am - 5:00pm providing space is available. Call (510) 559-7677 for additional information. More..

Plans For Giving
The Open House Senior Center (OHSC) provides a broad range of programs and services for older adults. Our activities promote physical and mental well-being, educational and recreational opportunities, and encourage continued involvement and service to the community. The Open House serves the full spectrum of seniors, from the most active and independent to the frail and isolated.

OHSC raises funds to cover the cost of many of its programs and activities. All donations will provide direct service to older adults. Tax-deductible contributions from individuals and groups are gratefully acknowledged. Donations can be made as memorials, tributes and bequests. Your gift, if made by check, should be made payable to The Open House Senior Center and mailed to 10940 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530. Donations also can be made in person at the Open House Senior Center, 6500 Stockton Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530.

El Cerrito Committee on Aging
Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month,
3 p.m. at the El Cerrito Community Center, City Council Chambers, 7007 Moeser Lane. General Public is invited to attend the meetings. More..

The City Council invites all citizens interested in serving a commission to submit an application for consideration. Serving on a board or commission can be a rewarding experience for community service-minded residents. It is an excellent way to participate i the functioning of local government and to make a personal contribution to the improvement of our community. If you have any questions or would like an application, contact the City Clerk at (510) 215-4305 or email cmorse@el-cerrito.ca.us.

El Cerrito Tea Dance
3rd Wednesday of the Month, 1-4PM, at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. Dancers of all levels are welcome. Monthly dance themes, snacks & prizes. $4 admission at the door. No partners necessary. Call (510) 559-7000 for information.

For comments and suggestions about Senior Services or the website, contact Liza Espadilla, Admin. Specialist, at (510) 559-7677 or email lespadilla@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.