For well over 30 years, The Redwoods has combined high quality, comprehensive housing, health care, and supportive services with surprising affordability and a comfortable, engaging lifestyle. Our residents describe life at The Redwoods as unpretentious and down-to-earth, but also invigorating and renewing. The result of these complementary virtues is a strong sense of camaraderie and community that enriches the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.
The Redwoods is a non-denominational, not-for-profit organization founded and sponsored by the Community Church of Mill Valley, which created the Redwoods in 1972 as an expression of its faith in social action. Always active in the wider life of the community, the Community Church also sponsored the Wee Care Day Care Center to meet the growing need for quality day care for infants to five-year olds. Additionally, The Church serves as a "teaching church" for seminarians training for their own ministries. For more information, please see the Community Church of Mill Valley.
With four levels of living, residents may choose to enjoy a one-bedroom apartment in Independent Living; a studio with all meals and housekeeping in Residential Living; assistance with daily activities and medications in Personal Care; or skilled nursing in the Health Care Center. Applications are welcome for any of the four levels. Admission to The Redwoods is open to persons of all races, faiths, and lifestyles who are 60 years of age or older.
All housing and services are provided on a month-to-month rental basis, with no life care contract. The Redwoods provides a limited number of units at lower costs by participating in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8-rent subsidy program in Independent Living and the MediCal program for Health Care Center. MediCal beds are used to enable current residents, whose conditions change and require skilled nursing care, to remain at The Redwoods rather than find alternate care.
The
Redwoods' Commitment to Community
The Redwoods Mission
The mission of The Redwoods is to maintain a creative, supportive community that promotes the good health, well being, and security of a diverse group of elders. We provide an environment designed to meet the individual physical, social, and emotional needs that will foster the resident’s dignity, usefulness, and opportunities for choice and renewal may be fostered.
We value our elders and consider them active members of the community while providing for those who have less ability than before. The Redwoods is a center of activism that supports, inspires, and enables the efforts that transform society perceptions. The Redwoods serves as a resource itself as well as connecting to other local and county resources. This vision has inspired The Redwoods to become a vital part of the community. We have put philosophy into practice with several different programs and activities:
The Redwoods is committed to providing affordable housing and services for seniors of low or moderate incomes. The Redwoods maintains 60 HUD-subsidized apartments for low-income seniors in Independent Living. The Redwoods has also raised substantial funds from private sources – foundations, fundraising events, and individual contributions – to fund projects that would otherwise have to be funded through rent increases. In addition, efficient administration and the Not-For-Profit mission of The Redwoods has allowed The Redwoods to offer its units at rents below the Marin market for similar accommodations and services.
About Mill Valley
Mill Valley (population 13,600) has evolved from a sleepy weekend getaway for affluent, turn-of-the-century San Franciscans to an active town with strong leadership and a reputation as a cultural focal point in the Bay Area. The Mill Valley Film Festival is internationally known, and events such as the Fall Arts Festival, Dipsea Race, Mountain Play, and Wine Tasting Festival have strong regional followings. The Marin Theatre Company is a short walk from The Redwoods on Miller Avenue.
There are 13 parks within the city, and nearby public lands include the Golden Gate National Recreational Area, Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods, Mt. Tamalpais, and China Camp. The Redwoods borders Richardson Bay onto protected wetlands in which the constant cycle of nature can be seen every day.
There are ten churches, a public library, an extensive parks and recreation department, five public schools, one high school, and more than seventy physicians and twenty dentists.
The city has a vibrant commercial hub with many restaurants, boutiques, specialty stores, and a variety of services. You'll enjoy browsing in the shops and relaxing in the cafes; please take advantage of all that Mill Valley offers!
To learn more about the wonderful city of Mill Valley, visit these sites:
Community
Agencies Serving Residents
The Redwoods benefits from many community agencies
that provide services to residents. These agencies depend on
contributions to do their good work. Here is a sampling:
- Bread
and Roses (415-945-7120) provides entertainment for those
in a variety of living situations such as our healthcare unit.
- LITA
(Love Is The Answer) (415-472-5482) matches Volunteers
with nursing home and residential care residents for one-on-one
visits. LITA also sponsors Pet Connection and a Kids program.
- Whistlestop
Wheels (415-454-0964) provides transportation to eligible
elderly and diabled individuals.
- Mill Valley Rotary engages in a number of commuity projects ranging from youth to senior activities, park and pathway cleanup and humanitarian projects.
