NonProfit NewsPod: Eskaton's Inaugural Longevity Gala Helps Older Adults Stay Housed

Jeff Holden: [00:00:00] Welcome to this nonprofit podcast, NewsPod, where we amplify the voices of nonprofit leaders making a difference in their communities. I'm joined by Nicole Zamora, director of Eskaton Foundation, to share some very exciting news about an upcoming event. Welcome, Nicole. 

Nicole Zamora: Thanks for having me, Jeff. 

Jeff Holden: I think this is, it's just wonderful what we're about to share.

But before we get started on the purpose of the NewsPod, I'd like you to clarify the distinction between what we perceive as Eskaton, the familiar name on these community centers, and the Eskaton Foundation. I, I think it'll help for those who don't know that there really is a difference. 

Nicole Zamora: Yeah, that's a great question.

We hear that all the time. So Eskaton is, of course, a nonprofit itself operating [00:01:00] 23 communities. 10 of those communities are residential living, and 13 of those communities, Jeff, which many people don't know, are actually affordable housing communities throughout Northern California. Then the Eskaton Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Eskaton.

We actively fundraise to raise money to support our, what we fondly call the longevity pyramid. Starting at the base with housing stability, connection, then brain and health innovation. Together, these three building blocks help us foster philanthropy and give purpose, stability, connection, and wellness to older adults in Northern California.

Jeff Holden: And that certainly is much more breadth than I think most of us [00:02:00] even recogn- 'cause we see it as housing in some way, shape, or form. Yeah. Whether it's the communities that we're familiar with or if it's the affordable housing communities, and to think that you are actually serving our aging population to a greater degree in the affordable housing side is even more remarkable.

Nicole Zamora: A lot of people know us for our residential communities. You know, we're, we're on a lot of the TV stations, and it, you know, showcases older adults having a fantastic time, and, and that's exactly it, right? Our older adults are living longer because we're meeting all those needs in those residential communities, but also in our affordable housing communities.

These are senior apartments that are HUD subsidized. So, um, you know, our seniors pay what they can, and then the Eskaton Foundation [00:03:00] actually comes in and ensures that they too are having a high quality of life within those communities. 

Jeff Holden: The understanding I think that so many of us have is that as population ages, for the most part, they're taken care of.

There's a roof over their head, they're secure, they're safe, and today nothing could be further from the truth as we see our aging population, our older adults now becoming the fastest growing contingent of homeless people. Now- And that is just so, so frustrating to think that somebody has lived their life, has done all the things that they wanted to do from a saving and a security and, and a roof over their head, and all of a sudden it, you know, just one event, one medical event, one catastrophic housing maintenance event, a- and it's, they're, they're out on the street.

And that's what the [00:04:00] purpose of what you're doing is 

Nicole Zamora: Exactly. You said that perfectly, right? Housing is healthcare, and our job is to keep those living with us housed, whether that's on our residential side or within those affordable housing communities. In the affordable housing communities, many times we end up hearing that before they landed, um, like for example, in our Placerville location, one, one of our residents was living in her car.

Come to find out... I mean, I was shocked by that. I was like, "What? Oh, my goodness. This is an older adult." Like, and you know, she was like, "Hey, it's, it's what life is. It's what I had to do." And she's like, "My neighbor, that was the same case." And then we hear it, you know, as I, as I talk to other colleagues within our communities.

So how beautiful it is that, you know, we have affordable housing that's able [00:05:00] to house these residents, and then should something happen through, like, no fault of their own, we can step in and ensure that they continue to be housed. I mean, I think I have one of the best jobs ever, right? Senior causes are only at 2% giving nationwide.

I get to be part of that 2% in helping people to realize that sometimes older adults do need help as well too. Because just like you said, Jeff, something unexpected happens or they plan. One of my favorite stories is a gentleman that lived until he... You know, he was 103 when he passed, but he needed some help at 101.

He told us, "I planned well into my 90s. My family lived into their 80s." So he pre, he planned even some more into his 90s. And when he got to 101, all, you know, there w- there was [00:06:00] no more funds. Everything was gone, and he was like, "I just got a great bill of health from my doctor." The foundation, through donor support, was able to come in and ensure that he lives comfortably for the next two years of his life.

That's huge, because where else would he have gone? He outlived his family. Who was going to take him in? 

Jeff Holden: Right, and, and he outlived his money. 

Nicole Zamora: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: Who, who expected he would go that long? And I think we all have to take that into consideration because we are living longer. We have better medical if our lifestyle allows us that opportunity to really take care of ourselves.

we expect maybe 85, 90. The next thing you know, you're 95 and, and now you're concerned. 

Nicole Zamora: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And that's the benefit of the foundation. And I think the other elements that you take into account for even those in residential who maybe outlive [00:07:00] their ability to pay, and- 

Nicole Zamora: Yes ... 

Jeff Holden: they're 100, 101, 102, you're not gonna push them out on the street.

Nicole Zamora: No. Right? Yes, and then, you know, again, in, in some of those affordable housing communities too, it, it's that one incident. You know, they have to go to the hospital, then they're in skilled nursing, and before they're able to come back home, they need to ensure that they're going to have care, right? And so we then ensure that they're coming back to a safe place with added care and sometimes nutrition as well too, because living in those affordable housing, again, it's senior apartments, right?

Independent living. It doesn't come with caregivers or meal services like our residential communities. Earlier you asked me what are some of the differences, right, between Eskaton and the Eskaton Foundation. Well, even within Eskaton itself, residential communities, many of them come with [00:08:00] a lot of services, including meals, housekeeping.

Of course, you know, your, it's either an apartment or sometimes it's a house or sometimes it's a cottage. We, we like to, we like to keep the, the possibilities open there on our residential side. In our affordable housing, they're all senior apartments. They're all independent living, and so these residents are, you know, cooking and cleaning and caring for themselves.

But when that incident happens that they need to have care, that they need to have meals, that's again where the foundation can come in under housing stability because it keeps them housed and be able to offer services that would allow them to be able to stay in their apartment with those added help.

Jeff Holden: And I wanna also add, there's, there's an element of dignity here, too. I mean, these are proud people. I had the opportunity to visit Eskaton Wilson Manor in West Sacramento, and you've got, you know, uh, [00:09:00] VA residents there, VFW, very supportive. This is how they should be treated. This is how they should be taken care of.

This isn't an individual that, you know, should end up on the street after they served our country to the degree that they have. And I think what you're doing gives them that sense of pride, sense of community, and they can live with dignity through whatever that is the rest of their lives. 

Nicole Zamora: Yeah, exactly.

I mean, right, housing stability is our foundational building block of our longevity pyramid. And when older adults really have that secure housing, they're better able to maintain their health, preserve their independence, stay connected to their communities, and live with that dignity, exactly what you said.

Once we feel safe and secure in our homes, we then have the ability to do those other, you know, daily functions that help us [00:10:00] be part of a community 

Jeff Holden: I love the fact that you've got this unique venue for this first time ever event that's coming up. L- let's talk a little bit about that 'cause it's pretty exciting.

Uh-huh. Tell us. 

Nicole Zamora: Yes. So our very first inaugural gala is at the California Automobile Museum. What a better way to showcase longevity than to really look at, you know, cars, classic cars. So we really found that location to be rich in history for us. When we asked residents, "Do you have a favorite car that you ever had?"

Oh my gosh, they light up telling us about, "Oh, you know, I, I used to have a Mustang," or, "I, I had a Camaro," or, you know, they drove one of those really big cars. They're like, "It felt like it was a boat on wheels." And so, you know, how perfect that we're able to almost have a driven by purpose event at the California [00:11:00] Automobile, uh, Museum on October 1st.

Jeff Holden: And it is a black tie gala, I might add, which makes it even a little more fun because that is a dress up event. Especially for those who haven't been to the museum, it's really fantastic to see the cars that they've curated, the history, not unlike our older population, and in many cases, the people that you're serving, these were their cars.

Nicole Zamora: These were their cars, yes, and there's a very fun Route 66 exhibit that's happening at the California Automobile Museum right now. And of course, as a nonprofit ourselves, we really wanted to invest back into our community. So naturally we would have it at one of our other nonprofits in town, because what a beautiful way to continue to help, you know, the circle of nonprofit friendship.

Jeff Holden: Yes. So 23 communities, 10 [00:12:00] residential, 13 affordable housing. Uh, how many residents do you house in just the affordable housing communities? 

Nicole Zamora: Over 900, and I think that number kind of blows folks away. Yeah. First they were like, "Oh, we didn't even know y- you had affordable housing." And then to top it off, there are a multitude of different languages spoken within these communities.

You know, things like gardens bring our community members together, art programs as well too, right? We really do believe in that second pillar that we have, which is connection as well. And I know for our gala, everything that we're raising money for that night is for housing stability, but, you know, we're already thinking of next year, Jeff, and the year after that, right?

We're going to, we're going to have a great room of 250 of our closest friends enjoying a beautiful evening filled with... There's a couple [00:13:00] performances, there's, uh, longevity awards being distributed throughout the evening, and then two very inspirational stories from two different residents in their own words, where they share with you.

You know, one again was homeless before moving in, and our other resident unfortunately, you know, Jeff, can you believe this? In an affordable housing community, an outside caregiver actually financially abused this gentleman. And you're thinking, oh my goodness, they're, you know... Again, they're, they're barely making it.

They're, you know, using their funds to pay their portion of their rent and get their food and do things like this, and someone steps in and steals those funds. It, it's not even enough that you're like, "Oh my, oh my goodness," right? Like, you're like, "Leave the poor gentleman alone." And along with that comes neglect, and on top of that, it causes so much turmoil.

But [00:14:00] again, you know, through the generosity of donors, the Eskaton Foundation was able to step in and get him a caregiver and get him food and bridge that gap so that he would be able to... Well, I won't give it all away 'cause I want- No, no, 

Jeff Holden: no, don't ... folks to 

Nicole Zamora: come to the gala and hear his story, but it's definitely one that's worth sharing.

Jeff Holden: I am so looking forward to it. It's just outstanding, and I have to be fully transparent here because, yes, I'm a car guy. I love the museum. I've been many times, but I also have the privilege of being emcee for the evening. 

Nicole Zamora: I was just gonna say that. We also have the best emcee in town. And the mother best dressed.

So we're looking- oh, we're looking forward to Jeff Holden, to you being there, helping us to, to share our impact, helping to educate the community. Again, you know, I, I think the goal at the end of the night will be like, "Oh my gosh, I didn't know that. Like, that's amazing that Eskaton does that, [00:15:00] and Eskaton does this," right?

I- we, we truly are here to keep those older adults housed and safe and secure so that they can live, they can live their lives. And they're, they're doing fantastic. 

Jeff Holden: And there's going to be music and celebration and storytelling. Keith McClain is going to be doing an auction, a live auction, and I, I think it's just gonna be a wonderful evening and, and the first-ever.

So the ... There's always something special about that inaugural event that I am so looking forward to the participants who are ensuring that our older population, our aging population, has that security and the opportunity to live longer well as a result of the communities that you represent, whether it be the residential and/or the affordable housing, and I am really [00:16:00] proud to be a part of it, Nicole.

So thank you for the invitation. Let's sell this thing out. 

Nicole Zamora: Yes. We would, we would love to. So I, I hope I can plug our website here. It's pretty easy. It's Eskaton, which might be hard to spell, so E-S-K-A-T-O-N.org/gala, G-A-L-A, take you directly to our Longevity Gala landing page where you can find tickets or tables.

And the fundraiser in me is saying there's, there might be an opportunity for still a, a couple more sponsorships that are out there. 

Jeff Holden: And I will put that information in the episode notes as well, so if you're driving, you happen to hear this and say, "I wanna check this thing out," just wait until you get wherever you go, stop.

You can just click it on the link in the, uh, in the show notes and find all the details and the information. Nicole, thank you so much. I am looking forward to October 1st, and let's support our aging older [00:17:00] adult population. 

Nicole Zamora: Thank you. Thank you, Jeff, for having us on the show today. 

Jeff Holden: Thanks for listening. If you like our program, please subscribe, give us a positive review, and share with someone you know.

This Nonprofit Podcast News Pod is a production of Hear Me Now Studio.