About
Who We Serve
Who We Serve
For 70 years, Vivalon has been the go-to transportation and nutrition resource for Marin’s older adults and their families. It’s been our distinct honor to serve as a trusted friend in our community, serving as the catalyst for seniors to age well by creating engagement and connectedness at every touch point.
Formerly known as Whistlestop, Vivalon expanded its scope over the years to serve the needs of vulnerable residents of Marin County, regardless of their age. In addition to transportation and nutrition, our programs and services include: Lifelong Learning, Healthy Aging services, classes, activities and advice.
Marin is the fastest aging county in the state of California. It’s estimated that by 2030, one in three individuals in Marin County will be 60 or older. The high cost of housing in Marin County has forced many children of older adults to move away, leaving their parents without a strong family support network and important resources. At Vivalon, we believe that Marin’s older adults deserve the dignity of being able to remain in Marin County and have equitable access to whatever resources, connections and services they need in order to age with dignity, independence and grace.
Vivalon helps meet the transportation, nutrition, and social connection needs of older adults and vulnerable residents of Marin County.
Last year, we served 14,171 individuals throughout our community.
Nutrition
Nutrition services are a core part of our efforts to help people age healthily and live a vibrant life.
- Last year, we served 109,813 meals, including Meals on Wheels, Nourish, Jackson Café and Community Breakfasts.
- We provided 135,942 pounds of healthy groceries free of charge to low-income older adults through our Brown Bag Pantry.
- We distributed 17,820 pounds of food through our Monthly Food Box program.
Transportation
We operate 365 days a year to make sure that no member of our community is ever isolated, due to a lack of transportation.
- Last year, we provided: 244,930 rides to older adults and people living with disabilities.
Activities
We offer a dynamic list of classes, workshops, social groups and other activities to help seniors in the Marin community live a vibrant, healthy lifestyle. Our activities include: fitness, computer skills, wellness, nutrition, social groups, discussion groups, day trips, and a wide range of other options.
- Last year, we hosted 2,109 classes and events.
Volunteerism
We offer satisfying opportunities for people in the community who want to give to others. Our volunteer positions include: meal delivery drivers, transportation drivers, café servers and cashiers, Healthy Aging Center hosts, information and referral advisors, administrative support and class instructors.
- Our more than 300 volunteers double our capacity to support our community.
- Last year, our volunteers dedicated 21,482 hours to support our clients.
COVID-19
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Bay Area, we stepped in to help vulnerable members of our community.
As of December 8, 2020, Vivalon has:
- Provided over 250,000 units of service (such as rides, classes, meals, calls and connections) for Marin County’s Covid-19 high risk community members – that’s over a quarter of a million!!
- Produced or distributed 115,000 meals and over 5,000 bags of groceries.
- Made over 3,000 social and check-in phone calls.
- Sewn and distributed over 11,000 face coverings.
- Hosted 368 Vivalon classes and events with 3,700 participants.
- From April through October, we have provided over 25,000 rides.
