Point Arena nonprofit falls victim to catalytic converter theft leaving coast seniors without vital transportation services 

POINT ARENA, CA., 10/30/24 – A Point Arena nonprofit has fallen prey to catalytic converter thieves, who left the organization with the inability to provide older adults living on the Mendocino Coast with free transportation to and from medical appointments.  

According to Coastal Seniors, a Point Arena-based nonprofit that provides programs and services to older adults and individuals with disabilities living in bicounty, Mendonoma, three buses owned by the organization had catalytic converters stolen earlier this month, rendering the vehicles undriveable. 

The buses are used to transport individuals to and from medical appointments and errands along the coast, with a service area ranging from Timber Cove to Irish Beach and as far inland as Annapolis. Clients include adults over the age of 60 and adults with disabilities, as well as their caregivers and spouses.  

The transportation program has been canceled indefinitely until the cost of the catalytic converters can be raised and the vans fixed. 

According to a Facebook post by the organization, the replacement cost for the catalytic converters is $18,000.  

Catalytic converter theft has been rampant across California for several years. Despite reports from insurance provider State Farm that thefts claims are on the decline, that fact does not bring solace to Coastal Seniors and the individuals they serve. “This incident has been deeply disheartening and exasperating,” the Facebook post said. 

In addition to providing transportation, Coastal Seniors also delivers healthy meals to homebound individuals via Meals on Wheels, operates community lunches and a food bank at the Point Arena Veterans Memorial Hall, registers seniors for CalFresh and other government benefits, and offers fall prevention programs, social activities to decrease isolation, quality of life checks and information and referrals to service providers.  

Donations to help replace the catalytic converters can be made at coastalseniors.org (donate via the COVID-19 relief program) or by calling (707) 882-2137.