History
In 1954, a grass roots community group decided to band together to make sure their elders were not forgotten. This was before the time of senior centers, considerations for people with disabilities, or specialized transportation. They started the Marin Senior Coordinating Council (aka Whistlestop), a charitable senior-focused organization formed with the intention of providing programming, advice and administrative services to organizations working to better the lives of older adults.
In 1968, the first volunteer-based ride service began with one vehicle, a stepping stool to help folks into the vehicle, and a commitment to help one another. These simple acts of kindness have blossomed through the years and now Whistlestop provides over 400,000 rides annually, with city-based shuttles and paratransit services for those who are not able to use public buses.
Today, Whistlestop has a vibrant, active aging center with a full schedule of services and activities. We are the largest nonprofit serving older adults in Marin County!
The original vision of the community group formed in 1954 has come true—not only are the older adults in Marin County not forgotten, but we are helping them stay connected, active and engaged in life to their fullest ability.”
-Joe O’Hehir, CEO
MARIN SENIOR COORDINATING COUNCIL
KEY HISTORICAL EVENTS
| August 4 | 1954 | Marin Senior Coordinating, Inc. Incorporated | |
| May | 1961 | First Senior Recognition Program | |
| November | 1963 | First SUN newsletter printed | |
| April | 1964 | H.O.M.E. Committee started | |
| December | 1965 | County Activities Center Plan approved | |
| November | 1965 | County Board of Supervisors authorizes application for Older American Act monies | |
| May | 1965 | First Outstanding Senior Awards presented | |
| May | 1965 | Master Plan for Older Adults approved by Board of Supervisors | |
| July | 1966 | State of California authorizes Older Americans Act Grant #1 to Council | |
| May | 1966 | Council approved as Advisory Committee to Board of Supervisors | |
| September | 1967 | Senior Citizens Forum started | |
| June | 1967 | First Defensive Driver Training Course offered | |
| February | 1967 | Executive Director, Ed Ryken, hired by Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc. | |
| March | 1967 | City-sponsored Senior Citizen Clubs supported and funded by County of Marin | |
| March | 1968 | Transportation Program begins with one vehicle and a volunteer driver | |
| September | 1968 | First Program Staff employed Lu Hodgen joined staff | |
| July | 1968 | Leased Housing Program begins; pre-retirement, tax assistance, adult education classes, first annual picnic, and personal development classes begin | |
| August | 1969 | Senior Enterprises begin | |
| August | 1969 | Employment Division begins operation | |
| June | 1969 | Council appointed Workable Program Committee by county | |
| July | 1969 | First Camping Trip | |
| October | 1970 | First Holiday Crafts Workshop begins | |
| July | 1970 | First Exercise Class offered | |
| August | 1970 | C.A.S.A. formed | |
| October | 1971 | Whistlestop Senior Center opens formal activities as a senior center | |
| October | 1971 | Vera Schultz and Ed Ryken attend second White House Conference on Aging | |
| July | 1971 | County of Marin supports Executive Directors salary | |
| February | 1971 | Began operation in Northwestern Railroad Depot | |
| July | 1972 | Kitchen Project begins | |
| February 5 | 1972 | Whistlestop officially opens with dedication of Lounge | |
| January | 1972 | Marin County Transit District funds Council to provide paratransit services: major step forward in transportation | |
| August | 1973 | Whistlestop Dining-Car Program begins | |
| November | 1973 | Whistlestop Deals Boutique Shop opens | |
| May | 1973 | Senior Citizens Blood Bank developed | |
| February | 1973 | North Bay Senior Planning Council formed | |
| January | 1973 | Council appointed Commission on Aging to the Board of Supervisors | |
| December | 1974 | George Leonards challenge is met and $40,000 is placed in the Building Fund for purchase of the Whistlestop | |
| July | 1974 | George Leonard makes $20,000 matching-fund offer for purchase of Whistlestop | |
| May | 1974 | First Annual Arts & Crafts Show | |
| January | 1974 | Club Car developed | |
| July | 1975 | Information & Referral begins operation | |
| June | 1975 | Sunday Dinners Begin | |
| August | 1976 | Second George Leonard Matching Fund begins - $10,000 | |
| December | 1976 | Second George Leonard Fund matched and placed in Building Fund | |
| August | 1976 | Noontime Nutrition Program begins under Title VII of the Older Americans Act | |
| January | 1976 | Whistlestoppers established | |
| July | 1977 | New Board elections procedures adopted | |
| February | 1977 | Marin Area Agency on Aging formed. Commission on Aging functions transferred to Area Agency on Aging; Council retains main program function for program function for programs on aging | |
| January | 1977 | First Annual Volunteer Dinner | |
| March | 1978 | Mini-market Program developed | |
| July | 1979 | First Resource Directory developed | |
| April 29 | 1980 | Whistlestop is purchased | |
| November | 1980 | Holiday Bazaar starts | |
| November | 1981 | Ed Ryken, Delegate; Lu Hodgen, Alternate Repersentatives to Third White House Conference on Aging | |
| June | 1981 | New Kitchen and Activities Room remodeling begins | |
| July | 1982 | Sunday Dinner Programs begin | |
| March | 1982 | Emergency Flood Project | |
| March 12 | 1982 | Whistlestop North purchased | |
| September 19 | 1983 | New direction in paratransit services undertaken by Council | |
| July 25 | 1983 | Second-story addition to Whistlestop begins | |
| March 19 | 1984 | Dedication of second-story addition to the Whistlestop | |
| April 12 | 1988 | Completion of Whistlestop remodeling and addition project | |
| July 1 | 1989 | Marin Community Foundation provides Grant for three years of operation Core Program | |
| June | 1990 | The Carma Holland Endowment created | |
| July | 1992 | Food Service Program Adjustment Focus on Home Delivered Meals | |
| April | 1993 | Multicultural Program transferred to MSCC | |
| June | 1994 | Independent Elders Project begins | |
| June | 1995 | Purchase of Maintenance Base at 648 Lindaro Street | |
| May | 1996 | Freezer Project Remodeling | |
| August | 2006 | Interim Executive Director, Gail Miller, hired by Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc. | |
| July | 2006 | Whistlestop ended the Meals On Wheels contract | |
| June | 2006 | Transportation department moved into 15 Jordan Street location | |
| Summer | 2007 | Remodel of the Café | |
| January | 2008 | Executive Director, Joe O'Hehir, hired by Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc. | |
| November | 2010 | Homeward Bound starts to run the Café with Whistlestop volunteers | |
| November | 2010 | Started partnership with the Pacific Sun newspaper to design, produce and distribute the updated Whistlestop Express monthly newsletter | |
| July | 2010 | Mobility Management Center starts | |
| June | 2010 | Mobile Data Terminals installation is implemented in all paratransit vehicles | |
| June | 2011 | Started the Enduring Generosity Campaign to secure monthly contributions | |
| December | 2011 | Whistlestop website launched in Spanish | |
| November | 2011 | Gary Ragghianti hosts our Community Leaders Forum on key issues facing Whistlestop | |
| April | 2011 | Whistlestop Facebook page launched | |
| February | 2011 | New website debuts at www.whistlestop.org | |
| August | 2012 | Whistlestop employees and community supporters enjoy special nights in their honor at the new San Rafael Pacifics baseball games | |
| September | 2012 | Whistlestop receives the Lifehouse Open Arms Award | |
| July | 2012 | Launched the newly revised Meals On Wheels home delivery program with the County of Marin | |
| January | 2012 | Pacific Sun designs, produces and distributes the 24th edition of the Directory of Older Adult Services in Marin | |
| January | 2013 | Announced the Whistlestop 2.0 Project to redevelop the 930 Tamalpais Ave property to include 50 units of affordable housing | |
| April | 2014 | Won Northbay Business Journal Best Places to Work | |
| April | 2015 | Won Northbay Business Journal Best Places to Work | |
| April | 2016 | Won Northbay Business Journal Best Places to Work | |
| April | 2016 | Won Pacific Sun Best of Marin Best Nonprofit | |
| March | 2017 | Won Marin IJ Reader's Choice Award Best Nonprofit, Best Soup (honorable mention), Best Meal Under $15 | |
| April | 2017 | Won Northbay Business Journal Best Places to Work |
