A message from SBSS Board Co-Chairs, Jodi Cohn & Andrea Leeb

We are pleased to announce that Darlene Kiyan has been named Chief Executive Officer of St. Barnabas Senior Services, effective Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Ms. Kiyan comes to SBSS from Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro and has significant experience leading organizations and impacting the lives of families through various programs. Drawing from her vast experience and skills set, she has consistently focused on leadership, education, and the physical wellbeing of her clients.

Before she began her meaningful work at Toberman Neighborhood Center, Ms. Kiyan worked with numerous organizations including the YMCA of Greater Los Angeles, Playworks Southern California, and Break the Cycle; serving as executive director of these organizations since 1999. She is recognized for increasing organizational and community engagement as well as developing and maintaining a wide variety of programs, strategic planning, fundraising, and much more.

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we are grateful for the hard work of the search committee and are confident that the most qualified candidate was selected to lead SBSS through a new and exciting transition. We look forward to beginning this phase under Ms. Kiyan’s exceptional and promising leadership.

Please join us in giving Ms. Kiyan our warmest welcome.

Best regards,
Jodi Cohn and Andrea Leeb
SBSS Board Co-Chairs

COVID-19 Testing at Home

The LA County Home Test Collection Program is offering free COVID-19 test kits to those who have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing possible symptoms of COVID-19. The test kits are mailed to your home address with instructions on how to collect a nasal swab. The kit is then returned in the mail and you’ll have results within 48 hours after the lab receives your sample. You do not need insurance to get a test kit. To sign up for a test kit or learn more information, visit here.

What You Need to Know About The Omicron Variant

The Omicron Variant

Recently, a new variant of the COVID-19 virus has surfaced. “Variants” or “strains” are types of COVID-19 viruses that have mutated, or changed, from their original form. This naturally happens as a virus spreads; for example, each flu season there may be a variant and each new flu vaccine is designed to protect against it.  When a variant infects a large number of people, it can become a “dominant strain” because it is the most successful at spreading person-to-person.

As of this week, the Omicron variant has been detected in the United States. The Delta variant is still the dominant strain in the United States.

What We Know

So far, scientists know that the Omicron variant seems to have more mutations from the original virus in the past, including the Delta variant. It also may be more transmissible from person-to-person, however there is not enough data to know for sure. Symptoms of the Omicron variant do not seem to be different from other forms of COVID-19. To read about possible COVID-19 symptoms, click here.

From data in countries with more confirmed cases, previous infection with COVID-19 does not provide immunity against the Omicron variant. This means that the virus has changed enough from its original form that it evades natural immunity. Although this is disappointing, similar changes happen with other viruses. It is also expected to have spikes in virus transmission rates as it gets colder and more people travel for the holidays. Finally, we have learned a lot from the Delta variant; measures like vaccinations and boosters, masking, and social distancing provide great protection against COVID-19.

Vaccines and Omicron

Vaccines provide two types of immunity against COVID-19. First, your body makes antibodies against parts of the virus to recognize and fight it. Second, your immune cells remember the virus so it can protect you in the future.

Because the Omicron variant has changed from the original COVID-19 virus, antibody immunity may not be as strong. However, more importantly, immune cell defenses can still protect people who are vaccinated against severe disease. It is a great idea to get vaccinated or receive a booster shot to prevent COVID-19.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

We have learned a lot over the course of the pandemic about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness and death from all forms of COVID-19 is to get a vaccine, and get a booster shot if you are eligible. Encourage your family members to stay up to date with their vaccines. Continue to wear a mask indoors in public places and consider COVID-19 testing before large holiday gatherings. Practice good hand hygiene and keep your spirits high. For more tips about Staying Safe During the Holidays, visit our What’s New Page and the CDC’s guide on Travel and COVID-19. To read more about Omicron, visit this helpful article from UCLA Health with FAQs and answers.

 

 

A Farewell Message From Rigo

As I enter the last few weeks as President and CEO of SBSS, I reflect on how much SBSS has grown in these last 13 years. When I accepted the position in 2008, I was prepared for any and all challenges that were headed my way, such as the recession which left many low income older adults housing insecure and even homeless. The team and I did all that we could to expand our programs and services to reach more communities and included services for family caregivers as well. We co-founded the Los Angeles Aging Advocacy Coalition (LAAAC) and have managed it since its inception. LAAAC gives older adults more of a voice within their communities. We also launched our Aging into the Future events to help educate older adults about the opportunities that technology provides and our more recent program, GOAL:Tech to provide literacy education for older adults as we navigate through the pandemic and beyond.

A focal point for me has been to make sure that everything we do is through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and I am proud that the SBSS team and I became champions for the population we serve. The legacy I leave is the trust that our older adults, their families, and their communities have in SBSS to help them age well with dignity and respect.

From the global recession to the global pandemic, SBSS has become stronger, more resilient, and more invested than ever in the impact we have in our communities. The strength of our entire staff and the organization has made this difficult decision a little easier. While there will always be challenges, I know SBSS will always emerge better than ever, and will always keep the most vulnerable older adults at the center of everything we do – I’ve seen it time after time.

On my toughest days, it’s the people who kept me going.

To all the SBSS older adults we’ve served: You’re the reason I do what I do. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. It’s been an honor and a privilege to do so.

To our partners, past and present: Thank you for trusting me and SBSS. Thank you for giving so much of your time and experience. Together, we changed the world by helping our communities, one person at a time.

And to our supporters: Thank you for believing in our mission, our vision, and our work. Without your investment, trust, and belief in us, we could never achieve what we have accomplished.

Thank you to my board for their support over the years and to my SBSS team across and throughout the organization. We’ve been through so much together, I can’t help but care for you all.

I’m deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as SBSS’ President and CEO. I will miss the SBSS family, but I know SBSS will continue to thrive without me. I know the SBSS future is bright, and I invite you to be part of it with our board, staff, and new leadership. It’s always been your support that allows SBSS to be a beacon of light for so many.

Please consider a gift today, in honor of our past and as an investment into SBSS’ future.

In gratitude,

Rigo J. Saborio

SBSS President and CEO