Adult Day Program receives grant for Alzheimer’s patients

LOMPOC VALLEY — The Valley Haven Adult Day Program, located in the Lompoc Valley, recently received a grant that allows lowincome and diagnosed Alzheimer’s seniors to attend the weekly social enrichment program.

The Mary Oakley Foundation in Santa Barbara gifted the adult program the grant, with specificity toward the recipients. The grant is only for applicants who are currently on Medi-Cal and who have an Alzheimer’s diagnosis from a neurologist.

The Valley Haven Adult Program, which opened in 2000, has a mission of increasing social connections and forming a safe sense of community between adults 60 and older and veterans. Valley Haven provides mentally and physically stimulating activities such as exercise, arts and crafts, and musical performances. The nonprofit wants to prevent institutionalization of seniors and prolong their time at home with loved ones, thus the various activities. Valley Haven’s program is open 8:30 A.M. to 4 P.M. on weekdays with the exception of Thursdays, and is located to the north of downtown Lompoc. The program holds 30 participants and costs $75 per day. Valley Haven is connected with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a primary care provider from the V.A. may refer veterans with physical and/ or cognitive impairments to Valley Haven programming. For more information, contact Valley Haven’s executive director, Colodia Owens, at 805-733-9459.

— Kira Logan

College encourages students to apply for California College Corps

SANTA MARIA — Allan

COURTESY PHOTO Allan Hancock College students are sworn into the California College Corps at the college’s Santa Maria campus. Through the program, students earn money to pay for college.

Hancock College, located in Santa Maria, is encouraging students to apply for the California College Corps program to earn money to pay for college. The college is currently accepting applications for the statewide program which allows students to earn a living stipend, $10,000 for college, and the Education Award in exchange for volunteering with nonprofits such as K-12 schools, food banks or climate action organizations in the Santa Maria area.

This is the second year of the program. Last year, the college welcomed 50 students as part of the program’s inaugural cohort. The College Corps program is open to full-time Allan Hancock students who are in good academic standing. AB 540 CA Dream Act students are also eligible. Applications for the program are due by April 30. To learn more or to apply, visit hancockcollege.edu/careers/ collegecorps.php.

— Annika Bahnsen