Our Mission is to enhance the quality of life for older adults and residents experiencing low income in Alameda County.
Our History: created by Sotera Brown in September of 1971 as a volunteer-run organization called Family Tutorial Services. This small organization started when a group of volunteers working with Head Start in Hayward saw a need for family-wide services, beyond what Head Start was offering to low-income children. The Family Tutorial Services reached out to the neglected, Spanish-speaking enclaves of Hayward, helping them connect to the rest of the community by offering them English Language tutorials – a stopgap method to teach English to busy, low-income adults.
The Family Tutorial Services expanded its programs into areas where they saw a need arising where other organizations could not meet it. Our Low-Income Weatherization and Senior Nutrition Programs launched in the late 1970s to offer the help the Older Americans Act and US Health and Human Services knew were important to people across the country.
The organization changed its name to Spectrum Community Services in 1986 to reflect its expanding services, and we have stayed true to our 50+ year-long mission to help the most vulnerable populations in Alameda County. Our long history of family supportive services and community work has advanced our mission of promoting our clients’ financial sustainability and improving the overall quality of their lives.
Today Spectrum continues to respond to the community’s current needs and now offers six programs to help accomplish that mission.
Meals on Wheels- Home delivered meals & wellness checks for homebound seniors
Senior Meals- Congregate meals served to active seniors in a group setting
Fall Prevention- Strength and balance exercise classes, education and awareness
LiHEAP- Low-income home energy assistance program
Weatherization- Energy saving home upgrades and appliance assistance
What Our Clients Are Saying
“We live off of $1,000 a month and this program is very important to us. We also have a limited cooking place. This program guarantees us a balanced meal a day. Our well-being would be greatly impacted if we weren't able to get these meals.” - Bob & Roxanne, Senior Meals Clients
“I believe that Spectrum should be with our community for a long time after all the help done with our members of the Alameda County community. Thank you again for your service.” - Emmanuel, Weatherization Client
“I suffer from severe arthritis in both shoulders, but careful exercises in my Fall Prevention class alleviate some pain and increase mobility. I offer a sincere thank you to Spectrum’s Staff.” - Jimmy, Fall Prevention Client