With green light from County, Sonoma’s Vintage House resumes classes

After five months of a pandemic-forced shutdown, Vintage House has the official O.K. to resume small group classes observing Covid safety protocols. The re-open comes after the county’s Area Agency on Aging announced the go-ahead for senior centers to begin offering sessions for up to 10 people. 

Vintage House will host classes outdoors, with the possibility of some small group classes held in its large Stone Hall, which can easily accommodate social distancing.

“We are so thrilled to be able to begin to welcome the community and our members back to Vintage House even in a limited capacity,” said Executive Director Priscilla Call Essert.

Since the mandated closure, seniors in the Sonoma Valley community have been more isolated than ever before, Essert said. “Many live alone and have had little to no contact with others during this time outside of the CareCalls they received from Vintage House staff and volunteers.”

The organization plans to proceed very slowly and cautiously with its re-opening to ensure the health and safety of everyone. “We are currently preparing our back-patio with shade structures to accommodate outdoor classes and we are also in discussions with the City about using space in Depot Park, right across the street from Vintage House,” said Jade Filippi, operations manager.

Vintage House, founded in 1977, is located at 264 First Street East. Though closed through the Covid lockdown, the site has served as an important hub for food distribution through the crisis.

The “soft open” comes after an announcement from Dr. Sundari Mase, Director of Public Health for the County of Sonoma, that declared “Safe Social Spaces” are now allowed and encouraged at independent living communities, low-income housing properties, and senior centers as long as safety guidelines are implemented.

Outdoor and indoor classes will slowly be added and posted on the organization’s website https://vintagehouse.org/events/. 

Said Essert, “With the green light from the County, Vintage House will once again open its doors and provide a safe and welcoming place for folks to connect, explore, and belong.”

  Vintage House will also continue to offer some of its programming virtually, using the Zoom platform.