A senior center that has served the Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside for decades has a new location and an expanded mission.
The OMI Senior Center, a project of Catholic Charities San Francisco, relocated from its longtime home in a church on Beverly Street in Merced Heights to Lakeside Village’s Ocean Avenue.
“We're one of the main senior centers,” Associate Deputy Director for Aging Support Services Kurlene Cambridge said. “The clients definitely rely on us for food and nutrition, for social interaction, for combating social isolation and depression.”
The center moved to the new location, just a block or so outside the OMI’s boundaries, after its lease expired on July 1. The new zip code won’t stop service for District 11 residents. In fact, the center will now open its doors to District 7 residents, too.
Since 1989, the center has served people aged 60 years old and up, and people with disabilities, ages 18 through 59. Much of its funding comes from the San Francisco Human Services Agency's Department of Disability and Aging Services.
The OMI Senior Center's Lakeside Village storefront facade. | Anne Marie Kristoff/Ingleside Light
Cambridge said the new location has already boosted participation, bringing in over 350 clients since July.
“It’s really hard to find friendships in later life,” said Rachel Beck, who has worked at the center since 2023. “It’s honestly hard to find friendships post-college, so the fact that this place is open school hours makes it possible for people to rack up the kind of time together that really builds close, trusting relationships.”
The new facility has an intake room and reception desk, private and shared offices for administrative staff, a small computer lab, a kitchen, two bathrooms and a large community space for the center’s programs, from daily mahjong games to weekly karaoke, dance and tai chi classes and art lessons.
The center’s hot meals service will return with grab to-go bags or dine-in throught a partnership with the San Francisco Bay Area non-profit On Lok, Associate Deputy Director for Aging Support Services Rosa Mendez said.
The center offers community case management services to help patrons outside of the center with various resources like transportation, home safety checks and referrals for psychological services, among other areas of assistance.
“Even though we've always been in the OMI, I think our services are continuing to expand, even to folks who just within the OMI still weren't really sure about our programs,” Mendez said. “Now, we're really being highlighted and showcased, and people are really getting to see it.”
The center hosted a grand opening celebration last Friday, Sept. 5, with lion dancers, goodie bags for patrons and other activities.
“It's really a special place,” Catholic Charities’ Director of Marketing and Communications Tony Alioto said. “When I've had the opportunity to go, it's just so much fun that you almost feel like you're walking into a college dormitory where everyone has such a sense of community.”
OMI Senior Center
Address: 2616 Ocean Ave. Hours: Senior Center: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Administration: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 415-334-5550 Visit Website
Anne Marie Kristoff (she/her) is a recent graduate from San Francisco State University's journalism program. She enjoys writing about the arts, entertainment and nature.
