Lincoln Court Welcomes the Public

by Toni Locke

'

Beverly Karnatz. Photo by Tim Chapman.

Beverly Karnatz, Special Projects Coordinator for Self Help for the Elderly, from her office on the third floor of Lincoln Court, oversees a range of social services for the residents there and for the wider community too. Her enthusiasm and pride in her 44-year-old San Francisco-based agency, operating in four counties, is catching.

"Our goal," Beverly said, "is to provide our rapidly-growing aging population with programs and links to services that will enable them to remain in their apartments or homes as productive members of the community." Exercise, mental acuity, and an active social life are keys to a healthy old age. To meet these needs, Lincoln Court offers daily Tai Chi classes, an eight-week brain fitness class, and a variety of activites. A well-equipped computer lab with over 20 computers is housed at Lincoln Court.

Teri Barr, dynamic coordinator of the Brain Health Program of the Oakland Unified School District, teaches the nationally recognized Posit Science Brain fitness classes. Her experience with these classes has convinced her of their value for the range of people that have attended, from high school graduates to Stanford professors.

Pat Schroeder will teach a Memory Camp, a class from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., from April 29 through June 22, at Lincoln Court.

As funds for all social services dry up in the face of the national recession and the state budget crisis, the aged become victims. Senior programs at St. Jarlath's, Fruitvale Presbyterian, and the Greek Orthodox Church are closing unless private funding is found. The Oakland Unified School District's Adult Education Department seems forced to shift its diminished funding to the K-12 arena instead.

In this crisis, the Dimond neighborhood can share Beverly Karnatz's pride in the role of Lincoln Court, which stands on the site once polluted by the Hillcrest Motel. For twenty-five years residents mounted a dedicated battle to close the run-down motel. In the hands of an absentee owner, the once proud hostel had become a breeding ground for crime, drugs, and prostitution. Councilmember Dick Spees led the way through the legal steps required. Councilmember Jean Quan, now running for mayor, brought closure, and Domus Developers, whose enlightened policies resulted in a dramatic architecture, created an environmentally friendly building, affordable housing for seniors, and social services that are now helping the wider community.

For more history, consult the Metro archive for an article on Domus. To enroll in a program, call Lincoln Court Center at 336-0144.