Peninsula Seniors, by Ann Shaw

Ann Shaw is the President of Peninsula Seniors and has been a Board Member since 1999.  Her community involvement goes back to 1968-1973 when she was a member of the “Save Our Coastline” movement to incorporate Rancho Palos Verdes to save it from pending high-rise residential development, and she served on the first RPV City Planning Commission.  She was a Member of the RPV City Council 1977-1983, and was Mayor in 1979-1980.  Other activities have included the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women.  She had been a Computer Programmer for the National Security Agency and for Shell Oil.  Then she worked in banking and as a financial planner until 2000.

Peninsula Seniors is a non-profit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors.  Its mission is to offer activities and services that enhance and enrich the lives of senior adults living on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and in surrounding areas.  It was incorporated in 1982 and is self-supporting.  Among its activities are blood pressure monitoring, podiatry care and caregiver support groups.  There are educational and informative lectures, games, creative writing classes, and group movie attendance (elderly people are often reluctant to go to movies by themselves).  Exercise programs and yoga classes are available.  There are day trips to cultural venues, and overnight trips to historical locations and events.  Special events include monthly theme parties, Birthday Bashes, and Let’s Do Lunch.

Professional volunteers can provide some financial, tax and legal counseling, advocacy and support groups.  There are arts and crafts, transportation arrangements such as Dial-A-Ride, and an AARP Mature Driving program.  Potential future programs include group meals, counseling, intergenerational programs, and help with medical and mental health, Social Security and Medicare.  They may do Alzheimer’s day care, home-delivered meals to senior housing, in-home supportive services, and respite care.  Some activities are open to nonmembers.

These activities are run by volunteers with a variety of skills, and more volunteers including professionals are welcome.  Donations and grants are also needed.  (The city of RPV has donated $5000.)  The current location is at the RPV City Hall site, but a new permanent location is being sought in Peninsula Center, and a new more-stable financial structure is needed.  None of the 4 Palos Verdes cities has a Senior Services Department, so these services are especially important with the increasing average age of the community residents.  There are about 1000 members now.  More information is available at the website, www.pvseniors.org.