City Council will review representation on mutual water company boards, the Transportation Board considers parking restrictions, turn limits, and speed management measures.
Mayor Lock Dawson reflects on new outreach series connecting seniors with resources and support as part of effort to ensure no Riversider navigates challenges alone.
Mayor Lock Dawson reflects on new outreach series connecting seniors with resources and support as part of effort to ensure no Riversider navigates challenges alone.
As we approach the end of the year and gather with friends and family to celebrate the holidays, I find myself reflecting on how much I love our city and our community. Riverside is often referred to as a "big city with a small-town feel" or (my favorite) the Midwest of California because of how friendly we are and how much we support each other. I love that about Riversiders: we are compassionate, we look out for each other and through our various roles, work to make the city a great place to live and work. Despite this, many Riversiders struggle with loneliness and a desire to connect. And this struggle becomes even more challenging the older we get.
That's why this year my office has been focusing on seniors with a series of outreach events. Since 2020, I've prioritized connecting with residents through the Big Tent Tour, Coffee with the Mayor, Crafty Conversations, and other neighborhood-based events. Building on these, we launched the Mayor's Senior Forum series, an initiative that brings City Hall into the community, creates spaces for residents to raise concerns, and ensures that seniors do not navigate issues on their own.
Each forum is a mini-resource fair, providing information essential to senior well-being. We bring together the Riverside Police Department's You Are Not Alone program, Riverside Connect, Public Utilities, Housing and Human Services, Parks and Recreation, the Janet Goeske Foundation, and the County Office on Aging. This collaboration provides a welcoming environment where seniors can ask questions, access services, and help shape the work we do.
Our next Senior Forum will be held at the Janet Goeske Center on Dec. 10 from 9-10 a.m. ASL and Spanish interpretation will be available. And if you can't join us in December, we have several more opportunities to connect:
ā¢ Feb. 12 ā¢ 10-11 a.m. ā¢ Renck Community Center (Spanish interpretation available) ā¢ March 12 ā¢ 10-11 a.m. ā¢ Orange Terrace Center (Spanish interpretation available) ā¢ May 14 ā¢ 10-11 a.m. ā¢ Dales Senior Center (Spanish and ASL interpretation available) ā¢ ā¦with more dates to come.
Please share these dates with parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends.
Our goal is not just to provide information but also connect seniors with services. At one of our first forums, we were able to help one of our residents who was in danger of losing her home by connecting her with housing services.
Our Homeless Prevention Program supports renters facing eviction or financial hardship, and our Senior Rental Assistance Program provides help for seniors 62 and older who spend more than 40% of their income on rent. Both programs offer short-term rental support, income-based eligibility, and personalized guidance during difficult times. If you or someone you know may benefit, please reach out to HomelessPrevention@RiversideCA.gov.
The Senior Forum series is another way we are building community across our city, creating places where questions are answered, needs are met, and residents know they are not alone. As we continue this work, we are building a Riverside where every person, at every age, feels seen, supported, and valued.
Thank you for helping us shape a city rooted in care, driven by action, and powered by people who lift one another up every single day.
Grateful for this beautiful community I have the honor to serve!
From cutting-edge crime prevention and ending youth homelessness to arts investment and economic growth, Riverside is shaping a future rooted in innovation and community pride.
