SAN FRANCISCO – StoryCorps, a national initiative to document everyday history and the unique stories of Americans, will visit On Lok Lifeways on Monday, July 20, to celebrate the stories of six On Lok Lifeways participants as part of its Memory Loss Initiative.  StoryCorps is a national independent nonprofit project in partnership with NPR and the American Folklife Center (AFC) at the Library of Congress. StoryCorps is operating locally in the Bay Area through a partnership with the Contemporary Jewish Museum.

StoryCorps was created by award-winning documentary producer and MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient Dave Isay. This unprecedented project has traveled to every corner of America, instructing and inspiring individuals to record their stories in sound.   StoryCorps is the largest multi-year oral history project ever undertaken.  Since its launch in October 2003, StoryCorps has collected over 26,000 stories in all.  In 2006, StoryCorps launched the Memory Loss Initiative to support and encourage people with memory loss to share their stories. The initiative is made possible by the support of the Joseph and Carol Reich’s Pumpkin Foundation.

“Looking a loved one in the eyes and asking about his or her life is one of the greatest gifts we can give one another,” said Dave Isay.  “The simple act of listening tells them how much they matter, and documenting that conversation for posterity tells them that they won’t be forgotten.”

On Lok Lifeways, which provides a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), is partnering with StoryCorps to celebrate the stories of six participants at its 30th Street center, located at 225 30th Street in San Francisco’s Mission District. On Lok Lifeways provides comprehensive medical and social services that enable nursing-home eligible seniors to continue living at home with dignity and honor; StoryCorps’ Memory Loss Initiative mirrors the nonprofit organization’s commitment to honor the oldest members of our community.

 “The Memory Loss Initiative gives our participants an active, vital role in shaping their legacy and preserving memories for the next generation,” said Nicholas Sager, Recreation Specialist, On Lok Lifeways. “More than words alone, this project allows our participants’ unique voices and rich life histories to be heard and honored. It’s a wonderful complement to our recreation therapy program, which, among other objectives, is designed to promote dignity and enhance mental and emotional well-being among our seniors.”

StoryCorps interviews are conducted between two people who know and care about each other. A trained facilitator guides the participants through the interview process and handles the technical aspects of the recording.  At the end of a 40-minute session, the participants walk away with a CD of their interview. With their permission, a second copy becomes part of an archive at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for future generations to hear.

For 37 years, On Lok Lifeways has helped the oldest members of our community maintain independence and dignity. On Lok Lifeways’ customized, community based health care program integrates complete medical care, social services, meals, transportation and home care to meet the needs of each senior at 10 Bay Area centers. Its model is designed so that the oldest members of the community can continue living in their own homes while receiving essential services and support. On Lok Lifeways innovated the PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) model of care, now being replicated in 29 states. On Lok Lifeways serves more than 1,000 seniors in the Bay Area who are 55 or older and have multiple medical problems that hinder them from living without help.

For more information about On Lok programs, please visit www.onlok.org or call 1-888-88-ON-LOK (1-888-886-6565). For the hearing impaired, call 1-415-292-8898 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.