Central Gardens Convalescent Hospital

Central Gardens Convalescent Hospital, a three-star rated nursing home with 92 beds, offers their aging community a safe and protected atmosphere, staffed around the clock by RN's, LPN’s and CNA’s. In 1985 the S.F. Ministry to Nursing Homes (now ElderGivers) began a faith-based effort to lessen the isolation of nursing home residents. Originally centered in Episcopal parishes, by 1995 the Ministry had become ecumenical and then interfaith and eventually included 30 Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist congregations fielding their own volunteer visitor teams. Old First joined the effort around 20 years ago.

Many Old Firsters have participated over the years on the 4th Sunday of each month. Don Pender is the current coordinator – please talk with Don if you’d like to participate. Don describes how this wonderful experience enriches his life:

“What I try to do is bring our service from Old First as close as I can, in my own way. They like the hymns and also the jazz. It's kind of like our Bible study. When I read the Scripture and break it down to what it means to me and get them involved with it, I can see the hope in their eyes and it makes me feel very good and I hope they feel good as well. I want them to know that God loves them very much and is always with them and I hope it gives them the comfort that God wants for them.”