Local Services for Seniors

As we continue through this pandemic and head into the fall and winter seasons, our senior community residents are relying more and more on services that are available on the hill. Here is a listing of services I have found to be helpful and even fun.

Idy’s Helping Hands
Website: IdysHelpingHands.org
Phone: 619-219-9866
Email: Admin@IdysHelpingHands.org
Mailing: PO Box 1501, Idyllwild CA 92549

Services: Transportation Services, Resource Connections & Paperwork Assistance, Local Food Bank Pickup & Delivery, Home Visits, Wellness Checks & Companionship, Respite Services for Caregivers, Shopping & Errands Assistance, Companionship & Socialization, Outreach Phone Calls, Events & Outings, and my personal favorite that I signed my grandmother up for – Meals for Seniors (click here to enroll).

They also have a Directory of Services on their page that they have developed a relationships with to assist in remaining healthy at home here on the hill.

Idyllwild Community Center
Website: https://www.idyllwildcommunitycenter.org/
Phone: 951-965-0456
Email: info@idyllwildcommunitycenter.org

Services: In addition to The Kinder Program and Youth Sports, they also have Adult Activities that include Fit After Fifty, Wii Bowling, Community Lunch, and more (Covid dependent of course).

Although most services are limited due to Covid, they are still currently continuing with their Food Share program Feeding America, Farmers Market every Sunday, and free Covid testings.

Forest Folk
Website: https://forestfolk.org/
Email: info@forestfolk.org
Shuttle Bus Phone: 951-426-9688
Shuttle Email: manager@idyllwildshuttle.com

Services: Shuttle Bus, Warming Center, Informational Meetings, Additional Resources as available.

You will find monthly schedules here, and any changes to the schedule due to road conditions, etc., are posted as soon as possible. You will find quarterly brochures that include connection information to other transit options in the desert and in Hemet. Recreational events and other events of community interest are also posted there. You will also find this information on their Facebook page.

Currently the Idyllwild Shuttle Bus is running Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am-4pm for Door-to-Door Service from Pine Cove to Mountain Center by calling 951-426-9688 on the day you need a ride; Off the hill for medical appointments only on Mondays to Palm Desert and Palm Springs via Mountain Center, and Wednesdays to Hemet via Mountain Center. Reservations are Required by calling 951-426-9688 between 9am and 5pm one week in advance at the earliest, and 3pm the day before travel at the latest.

They also have a Helpful Resources page with helpful phone numbers and internet addresses.

Idyllwild Help Center
Website: https://www.idyhelpcenter.org/
Email: TSM@idyllwildhelpcenter.org
Phone: 951-659-3000
Physical Address: 26330 CA-243, Idyllwild CA 92549

Services: 1 weekly bag of non-perishable food items, firewood for heating, health and hygiene products and when grant funding is available: utility assistance and medical assistance.

Additionally, there is the Mountain Disaster Preparedness group and the American Legion Post 800 for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.

What other services do you know of? We would love to add to our list.

Stay safe and keep an eye out on others as best you can. We are a community here!