To help connect local residents of all ages to free or low-cost activities and services in their area, the Sequoia Healthcare District recently launched a free online resources guide.

In October, the district, which provides community-based health care services, introduced Sequoia Strong, a website with a comprehensive list of mental health services, extracurricular activities, academic support and drug prevention information services, according to the initiative's program manager, Cat Bottini.

The district is using technology to spur people to do in-person activities, she said. Seniors especially can become isolated, and district officials want the website's resources to connect people to activities that keep them active and engaged, she said.

"We want people to know what resources we have," Bottini said. "Everyone is so connected (electronically), but there are so many choices (for services)."

All options on the website are recommended by district officials. Bottini works with experts and wellness coordinators to curate the directory. The directory encompasses not only the district's coverage area -- cities in the southern Peninsula, including the four towns in The Almanac's coverage area: Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Woodside and Atherton -- but neighboring areas as well, Bottini said.

The guide can also serve as a resource when a person is dealing with a difficult life event, such as a loved one's death or unemployment, she said.

Mindy Hill, wellness director for the San Carlos School District, said the directory will be a "catchall place" for community resources that she can refer district parents and students to on a regular basis.

"I know people really struggle with what's all out there (in terms of health resources), and this is a great place where they can see it all," Hill said.

She noted that as a wellness coordinator, it's hard to know exactly what people need.

"It's almost like you don't know what you need until you see it right in front of you," she said. For example, people might not know they'd be interested in a particular extracurricular activity, alcohol and tobacco use information or volunteer opportunities until they see all of the resources on one website, she said.

Eventually, the health care district would like to establish a teen advisory board to help other teens find these health services, Bottini said.

She said website visitors have spent a lot of time using the directory, with the average person spending six to nine minutes browsing.

Sequoia Strong is an offshoot of "70 Strong," an online resource guide the health care district created for seniors in the area. The organization decided to expand the program to reach people of all ages, Bottini said.

The health care district saved $500,000 by bringing the resource guide in-house -- 70 Strong was run by an outside consultant, said Pamela Kurtzman, the district's CEO.

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