Santa Cruz Life Enrichment Programs and Schedule

Call us at: 831-458-9766

Visit us at: 1509 Seabright Ave, Suite B1, Santa Cruz CA 95062

Business Hours: 9:00 A.M - 4:00 P.M Monday - Wednesday

Tech It Out With Vista

Description: Industry speakers present the latest accessibility technology devices and trends. Check out previous discussions on our Youtube Channel!

Date: Friday, July 10th

Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Location: Zoom

Registration: Required

Fee: None, donations appreciated

Speakers: Erik Chiseck (VP Menu Development) and Travis Rea (Accessibility Consultant)

About: Tovala Smart Oven: Independent Cooking for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Join us to discover how the Tovala Smart Oven is helping blind and visually impaired people cook safely and independently at home.

Tovala is a countertop smart oven built around simplicity and automation. Scan the QR code on any Tovala-compatible ingredient or meal package using your smartphone, and the oven automatically sets the temperature, cooking mode, and time. No manual adjustments, no guesswork, and automatic shutoff when your food is done.

The Tovala app is fully integrated with VoiceOver for iPhone and TalkBack for Android, making it accessible from setup through every cook. Tactile buttons on the oven itself provide a reliable, hands-on option for those who prefer to cook without using a phone.

With over 200 chef-created automated recipes for everyday favorites like chicken breasts, air-fried broccoli, and fried eggs, and over 1,000 scan-to-cook grocery items, Tovala puts a wide variety of meals within reach. Tovala also offers a weekly meal delivery service with pre-prepped, chef-crafted meals that arrive ready to scan and cook in under 25 minutes. A convenient option when you want something fast without any prep work.

The oven starts at $299, with discounts available when you add a meal plan.

If you have ever wanted more independence and confidence in the kitchen, this session is for you.

Resource Spotlight

Description: Resource Spotlight connects you with local community resources through guest speakers who share up-to-date information on services, eligibility, and contacts in an interactive, welcoming setting. Held at Vista Center’s Conference Room, each session covers topics like health and safety, nutrition, legal and support services, transportation, and more!

Date: Wednesday, July 1st (first Wednesday)

Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Location: Vista Center Conference Room

Registration: Not required

Fee: None, donations appreciated

Topic: This month's presentation features the Peaces of Me Foundation, a volunteer-led organization that is dedicated to erasing the stigma surrounding disability and chronic illness. Working with a global community, an array of diverse perspectives - both with and without disabilities - allows their organization to break new ground, bring new people into the movement, and drive innovative solutions. They will discuss their lived experiences with disabilities and their on-going projects including creating a virtual catalog of information that touches on every element of living with a disability with accessible solutions, ways for clients to contribute to this library, and more!

Introductory iPhone Voiceover Class

Description: Discover how to use your iPhone without relying on vision in this beginner-friendly, hands-on class. You’ll learn VoiceOver—Apple’s built-in screen reader—through step-by-step instruction, guided practice, and support from trained volunteers.

At a comfortable pace, you’ll build essential skills like VoiceOver gestures, navigating your screen through audio feedback, and using key apps like Phone, Messages, and Mail. Along the way, you’ll gain confidence, increase your independence, and develop practical strategies for staying connected, organized, and in control of your daily tasks. We look forward to supporting you in transitioning from visual to non-visual access.

Date: Each Monday, starting May 11th (No class on May 25th). 10 classes in total

Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM PST

Location: Vista Center Conference Room (In Person Only)

Registration: Required, spaces are limited.

Fee: Free to attend, but any donation amount encouraged!

Orientation and Mobility Walk

Description: Join us for a casual 1-2 mile walk in the community and practice your Orientation and Mobility skills! Enjoy the sounds of nature as you learn pointers and tips of safe travelling.

Date: Thursday, July 9th (second Thursday)

Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM (Please schedule return pickups for 11:45 AM or later)

Location: Powder Mill Trail, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (2591 Graham Hill Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95018). We will meet in the parking lot adjacent to the entrance gate. RAIN WILL CANCEL WALK.

Registration: Required

Fee: There is an $8.00 parking fee if you do not have an annual state park pass.

Trail Details & Logistics

Come and enjoy a beautiful morning walk with us through a mixed conifer forest!

• Distance: We will walk approximately 1.5 miles total.
• Terrain & Sun Exposure: The walking surface consists of dirt, sand, and gravel. The trail is about 50% shaded and 50% open sunshine.
• The Route: Our trail (Powder Mill Road) is a wide fire road. It starts out flat but transitions into a gradual uphill climb as we head toward the observation deck. There are a few roots that cross the trail (our sighted guides will point these out to us) After spending some time enjoying the views at the deck, we will retrace our steps back to the parking lot.
• Activity: This trail is a fantastic birding location, making it the perfect opportunity for us to practice our "birding by ear" skills together.

Please register below or contact Holli Clark if you would like to join us!

Book Club

Description: Join the virtual book club for fun and spirited discussions about the book choice of the month and favorite reads!

Date: Monday, July 13th (second Monday)

Time: 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Location: Zoom

Registration: Required

Fee: None, donations appreciated

Topic: "From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home" by Tembi Locke (DB095581) and "The Lion Women of Tehran" by Marjan Kamali (DB122888).

Game Day

Description: Come join the fun as we play engaging (and often competitive) tactile and accessible games, such as Uno, Yahtzee, dominoes, mancala, Left Right Center, and more!

Date: Wednesday, July 15th (third Wednesday)

Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: Vista Center Conference Room

Registration: Not required

Fee: None, donations appreciated

Tips & Tricks

Description: Join our popular peer-to-peer information series to learn helpful strategies to make life easier as someone with a visual impairment. Each month, the group will explore an in-depth how to topic, such as tips for accessible cooking, organizing your home, traveling, and using smarthome devices. If you would like to check out our Tips & Tricks audio recordings on our YouTube channel, visit Vista Center's YouTube channel

Date: Wednesday, July 22nd (fourth Wednesday)

Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: Vista Center Conference Room

Registration: Not required

Fee: None, donations appreciated

Topic: This month, client volunteer Patrice will be leading a session on how to use the Victor Reader Stream. The Victor Reader Stream is a portable, voice-guided digital media player designed primarily for people who are blind or have low vision, allowing them to listen to audiobooks, text documents, podcasts, music, and other content through tactile controls and text-to-speech technology. It features large, easy-to-feel buttons, bookmarking and navigation tools, recording capabilities, and support for formats such as DAISY books, making reading and information access more accessible and independent. This will be a hands-on program that offers 1:1 support for getting started with your device, so in-person attendance is strongly encouraged!

Braille at Your Pace

Description: Led by experienced instructor Tiffany Thomas, this in-person course will cover both reading and writing Braille in personalized, one-hour sessions. Whether you’re just beginning with Grade 1 or ready to tackle Grade 2, this flexible class is designed to support you at every stage of your Braille journey.

Date: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Time: Appointment Only

Location: Vista Center

Registration: Required

Fee: None, donations appreciated

Peer Mentor Support Groups

Description: Only those with vision loss can fully understand the experience. Find support, understanding, and friendship with members of the Vista community.

Date: Every Tuesday

Time: Varies by group

Location: Zoom

Registration: Required

Fee: None, donations appreciated

Make Your Contribution Today!

Your gift supports critical services and programs that restore hope,

promote independence, create opportunities,

and transform the lives of more than 3,700 blind or visually impaired individuals.