This week we toured the different housing facilities for the elderly. We began the morning with a presentation and description of their program, but it was similar to the Gary and Mary West center presentation as well. I believe they had mentioned that they work together and stay in communication with each other, if I recall correctly.
The first housing building we saw was the transitional housing. As soon as I walked through the doors, I received a bad vibe from that place. It smelled like cigarettes and toxins. The inside looks old and dirty, as if nobody has thoroughly cleaned the facilities in a couple of years. The gentleman was kind enough to show us a bedroom, bathroom, laundry facility and to walk around the building and see how big it is. There is no proper ventilation, as soon as he opened the bedroom, so flies came right out the room, the air quality inside the room was so bad I had to walk right out. The bedroom was so small it didn’t even have a tiny closet. The washers look like no one has used them in about 5 years and the restroom looked like a regular public restroom. I was simple sadden and upset to know that people have to live under these conditions. One resident even came out of her room and stated, “do not rent here, this place is disgusting.” How upsetting is that comment. I am truly aware that it is simply a transitional phase, however the living conditions I witness are not appropriate in my opinion. This really bothered me the entire day, especially how the other facilities were more developed and appropriate. I felt like we went from level one to three on a scale of worse to best. As we were recapping, I thought about way we could improve the program or ways in which we can aid in the support of the elderly. Maybe, if we were able to develop a gala to raise money to fund housing projects for the elderly community that could help in the development of proper housing projects like the North Park Senior center. Also, a food drive, so we can donate food to the Gary and Mary west center so the facility can have more options to offer the elders.
When we arrived at north park, I was so amazed by the remarkable work they have created. It is so apparent that they put so much thought into every detail of this project. Everything has a purpose and it is to better serve the community. As well as it being eco-friendly and them placing a huge focus on the future and making sure that the building can endure the years to come.
The first housing building we saw was the transitional housing. As soon as I walked through the doors, I received a bad vibe from that place. It smelled like cigarettes and toxins. The inside looks old and dirty, as if nobody has thoroughly cleaned the facilities in a couple of years. The gentleman was kind enough to show us a bedroom, bathroom, laundry facility and to walk around the building and see how big it is. There is no proper ventilation, as soon as he opened the bedroom, so flies came right out the room, the air quality inside the room was so bad I had to walk right out. The bedroom was so small it didn’t even have a tiny closet. The washers look like no one has used them in about 5 years and the restroom looked like a regular public restroom. I was simple sadden and upset to know that people have to live under these conditions. One resident even came out of her room and stated, “do not rent here, this place is disgusting.” How upsetting is that comment. I am truly aware that it is simply a transitional phase, however the living conditions I witness are not appropriate in my opinion. This really bothered me the entire day, especially how the other facilities were more developed and appropriate. I felt like we went from level one to three on a scale of worse to best. As we were recapping, I thought about way we could improve the program or ways in which we can aid in the support of the elderly. Maybe, if we were able to develop a gala to raise money to fund housing projects for the elderly community that could help in the development of proper housing projects like the North Park Senior center. Also, a food drive, so we can donate food to the Gary and Mary west center so the facility can have more options to offer the elders.
When we arrived at north park, I was so amazed by the remarkable work they have created. It is so apparent that they put so much thought into every detail of this project. Everything has a purpose and it is to better serve the community. As well as it being eco-friendly and them placing a huge focus on the future and making sure that the building can endure the years to come.