Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley on the weekend announced its plans for a merger with CityServe of the Tri-Valley, citing mutual benefits and additional programs for in-need populations in the region.
SSPTV Board President Christine Sevier confirmed in a written statement on Sunday that the upcoming merger of the two organizations is expected to occur next month. Representatives from both operations have expressed positive sentiment around the merger.
"Our board has anticipated the need for systematic change and has been working diligently with our attorney and consultant on a merger agreement with CityServe since late 2021," Sevier said. "We anticipate merging in September."
Sevier's statement on behalf of Senior Support detailed hopes that the merger will allow the organizations to provide added resources for seniors, while also noting how SSPTV has evolved and adapted through the years since its establishment in 1981.
"Our desire is to benefit more seniors and have better outcomes especially in difficult times," Sevier said. "We have been strategically planning to prepare for a better future and we are excited about what this merger means for our senior community. When we collaborate, everyone wins."
CityServe operates as a local organization with the goal of mobilizing resources to marginalized communities in the area. This includes low-income seniors and citizens experiencing homelessness.
With the motto "Care, Coordinate, Connect," CityServe is funded through financial partnerships they refer to as 'influencers.' Funders listed on the organization's website include PG&E, Alameda County and the cities of Livermore, Dublin and Pleasanton.
CityServe CEO Christine Beitsch-Bahmani also commented on the merger's community impact in the public statement.
"Our mission is to always assist residents by caring, coordinating and connecting those in need of resources and to mobilize volunteers in the community," Beitsch-Bahmani said. "We feel that this merger will allow us to continue doing what we've always done, but with a greater overall impact and an intentional reach into the older adult community."
Beitsch-Bahmani highlighted how the two groups will be delivering services to housed and unhoused citizens, she said "together we are better positioned to serve the entire family."
The announcement of the planned merger, which appears to have been in the works behind the scenes for some time, was made public four days after a story by the Weekly spotlighting concerns raised by former employees and volunteers about SSPTV, its leadership instability, and the apparent loss of key services and staff.
SSPTV leadership has attempted to discredit the reports that the Friendly Visiting Program has been eliminated, according to third-party communications shared with the Weekly, but they have declined to comment or answer follow-up questions directly to the Weekly this week.
Comments
Registered user
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Aug 18, 2022 at 9:50 am
Registered user
on Aug 18, 2022 at 9:50 am
Seniors who have been served exclusively for over 41 years by the NonProfit, Senior Support Program of the Tri Valley, will now have to compete with CityServe's monopoly. CityServe who's previous emphasis is assisting the homeless community, states figures supported by their website, serving only 103 Seniors, during the past 6 months, approximately 2.5% of their focus in the community, compared to 100% commitment of Seniors at the Nonprofit Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley. This is not a "win" for the Seniors of our communities!
Not all services or staff from Senior Support (SSPTV) will continue with CityServe (per press release) as 2 programs (Caregiver Registry and Friendly Visiting) along with 3 staff members were eliminated on July 22, 2022, which was correctly stated in the Pleasanton Weekly article, dated August 12, 2022. The press release regarding this merger was rushed for public notice, due to pressure to expose the dysfunction and deceptive tactics of Board members and management at SSPTV. Public outcry from Seniors and concerned family members have fallen on deaf ears. To date 100+Seniors and 3 dozen volunteers, who participated in the Friendly Visiting program, have not been contacted by SSPTV management. No comment from either agency, as stated.
As an advocate for Seniors, I am disappointed that a Faith-based Nonprofit would not consider the detriment to our Senior Community, if this merger continues. Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley was a financially stable and successful working Nonprofit receiving substantial office space at the Pleasanton Senior Center for approximately 20 years, allocated for "Senior Service". What is to transpire for Seniors when CityServe takes possession of SSPTV's offices and the "UnHoused" clientele commingle at the Senior Center? Will this space be converted into "Community" space, under this new regime? Are you truly thinking of our Seniors and our most vulnerable community?
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Aug 18, 2022 at 12:05 pm
Registered user
on Aug 18, 2022 at 12:05 pm
A few years ago, we had the Pleasanton Weekly Silicon Valley Community Foundation. With that organization we had reasonable assurances our donation would remain in Pleasanton.
Then that organization somehow became Tri Valley fund. We did not donate because we wanted to keep our donation in Pleasanton. So, we now seek out independently, local organization in Pleasanton for our donations.
Registered user
Downtown
on Aug 19, 2022 at 10:39 am
Registered user
on Aug 19, 2022 at 10:39 am
@Michael,
I think you're connecting the change in the Holiday Fund's fiscal sponsor and SSPTV not receiving HF funds, and that's not the case.
While the HF fiscal sponsor did change to the newly established 3 Valleys Community Foundation last year, there was no change in our policy of keeping donations local. This past year, though, was the first in a long time that Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley was not a beneficiary, but it had nothing to do with the fiscal sponsor. The committee that determines the HF recipients was not comfortable with the instability of SSPTV leadership and their refusal to answer any of our questions about what was going on.
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Aug 19, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Registered user
on Aug 19, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Gina,
Thank you.
We remain confused with charity organizations and their intents.
We receive a lot of requests in our mailbox, we now ignore them.
We were duped with wounded warriors. It really hurt. We donated
thinking of family members killed in action on foreign soil.
They never came home.
As holidays near we will consider what to do.