This past week, our meetings consisted of the anticipated Prom at the Gary and Mary West Senior Center in addition to our ongoing Wednesday gatherings in SSB 102. In class, each group had the chance to present their Neighborhood Aging Assessment Projects (NAPs), in which we all explored an area of San Diego to gauge its various characteristics against the WHO’s criteria for age-friendly cities. Our group chose to assess Hillcrest, which we found to be generally equitable in social climate and inclusion but somewhat lacking in many other aspects such as engagement opportunities and affordable housing. It was amazing to see the diverse communities interspersed throughout the boundaries of just San Diego county - diverse not only in demography but equity, built environment, and socioeconomic averages (among a multitude of factors). It was interesting to hear that in many instances, many of us had a personal encounter in their NAP (for instance, joining in on exercise classes or chancing upon a senior daycare) that enriched our assessments. Speaking of enrichment, our prom on Saturday was an absolute blast. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, it was a nonstop rollercoaster of eye-crinkling smiles, loud laughter, and heartfelt warmth. I really didn’t know what to expect - the West Center is very much worlds apart from an institution such as Casa, but in some ways, the experience was not once dampened or diluted by the obvious difference in access or socioeconomic background (I would even say it elevated it, in many levels). Hearing that two individuals who had had a rough year be awarded King and Queen, and seeing their subsequent reactions was so heartwarming, as was the interactions with all of the individuals. The shared joy among food, good music, and a great vibe just made for an unforgettable experience. Best of all, I hope the goody bags will make for meaningful addition continuing forward. I’m really glad to be a part of this event, and I’m grateful for the teamwork and coordination of our cohort, professors, and the staff at the West Center for making a great prom a possibility.
|
Andrew NguyenWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
June 2019
Categories |