County Puts Its Own Twist on Room Service

Some of us get rankled by too much government intrusion in our lives. But here’s an interesting county government role that’s working out in most cases, one that doesn’t get a lot of attention: matchmaking.

I don’t mean where the government helps singles find future spouses--though that’s happened on an occasion or two. It’s called shared housing, and it’s organized by the county’s Area Agency on Aging. It finds shared housing, mainly for seniors or single-parent families, through 13 nonprofit agencies.

I call it matchmaking because if you’ve ever been forced to live with someone you don’t know--like in a college dormitory--you can identify with how important a good match can be. You wouldn’t want to hook up with Louise Kudick of Cypress, for example, if you smoke or have cats.

Louise and Willard Kudick own a huge house on a cul-de-sac where they raised five children, now grown. They made plans to rent out a room to help with needed income. At first, they were skeptical when someone suggested they apply for a tenant through such a shared housing program. Louise’s asthma meant she couldn’t take just anybody.

But through county contractor Senior Meals and Services in Garden Grove, Louise Kudick said, “Jimmie came into our lives. Now she’s family.”

Jimmie Casterella (her father wanted a son after three girls) also had misgivings. But, in her mid-70s, she was concerned about living alone following the death of her husband Barone. “I missed having noise in the house,” she said.

Louise laughs that Casterella first showed up with three Realtor friends to check out both the Kudicks and the house. But the arrangement has been a blessing for both sides.

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“The Kudicks told me that they want me to remain for a lifetime. I said, ‘You mean you’re adopting me?’ ”

Casterella still works full time as a Realtor and is out of the house early in the morning. When she returns, it’s not to the room she rents, but to the entire home.

Kudick family events include Casterella. When Casterella fell and broke her hip, and again when she needed an operation, the Kudicks provided family support.

“Their friends are now my friends, and vice versa,” Casterella said. “It has been perfect for me.”

It’s no surprise that the Kudicks and Casterella share many interests--they are active in churches that are interconnected. Such matches are possible because Shared Housing feeds personal data into a computer.

Althea Shef, the Senior Meals and Services shared housing director who made the Kudick-Casterella match, says the arrangement usually benefits both sides.

“Many people, especially seniors, can feel isolated living alone,” she said. “And those with homes to share often are retired and need extra income that shared housing can provide.”

Shef told me that she does follow-ups for about six months to make sure the arrangements are working out. After that, she said, the renters and homeowners are on their own. But to help me out for this piece, she checked on two elderly women she thought had become good friends through shared housing. She’s already moved out, the woman with the house to share told Shef.

Shef chuckled: “They’re still close, but her friend met a man and moved in with him.”

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Classrooms Remembered: James Beam, former mayor of Orange, was among those who wrote to me after Tuesday’s column on Giles Brown and his late wife, Beth Cosner Brown. The Browns were charter staffers when Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa opened for classes in 1948. Beth Cosner Brown, its first librarian, will be honored this month with a reference room at the library named for her. Her husband has created a $100,000 endowment to supply it with books. Beam wrote in part:

“Dr. Brown was my American history instructor. Thanks to his encouragement and the exposure he gave me of our great American heritage, I became involved in my community. I’m sure hundreds of others who sat at his feet became participating citizens due to his inspiration.”

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Thinking Back a Hundred Years: In 1898, a small group of women met in Santa Ana to roll bandages for the wounded returning from the Spanish-American War. That gathering was the debut for the Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross.

Now its staff is trying to put together a history of its 100 years in operation. And it’s looking for help.

The Red Cross is seeking information from any of you who might have interesting stories, either about working for the Red Cross as a volunteer or how the Red Cross might have touched your lives.

Said chapter Chairman Bob Wenzel: “Many seniors, as well as younger people, have stories that are all part of the Red Cross mosaic, many of which could be lost in coming years. Through this project, we hope to preserve as many of these stories as possible.”

Call the Red Cross at (714) 835-5381, Ext. 233, if you would like to request an oral history project reporting form.

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Sneak Peek: Because of construction at the newly renovated stadium (formerly the Big A) where the Anaheim Angels will play baseball, children have not been permitted on preview tours of the place. But that changes today. Disney is hosting free family tours of the stadium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Today is also the opening day for individual ticket sales. In anticipation of the crowd, the Angels, beginning at 7 a.m., will distribute numbered wristbands randomly to avoid making people stand in long lines. Ticket sales begin at 9 a.m. The Angels begin the season April 1 with an eight-game homestand (the Yankees first for two, then the Indians for three, followed by the Red Sox for three).

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Wrap-Up: If you know someone interested in shared housing, you can get more information by calling the Area Agency on Aging at (714) 567-7435. Rent has been averaging about $350 a month. But the matchmaking by the county and its contractors is free.

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Jerry Hicks’ column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Readers may reach Hicks by calling the Times Orange County Edition at (714) 966-7823 or by fax to (714) 966-7711, or e-mail to jerry.hicks@latimes.com