The trolley ride to Barrio Logan is almost an hour long. I've rode the trolley many times prior to this but this trolley ride was different. In the hour of overhead speakers reciting each stop, I caught myself wondering how many elders were riding, how many of them were homeless, and how the accessibility ramp took a little long to open up. This may be due to me taking this class and opening up a new perspective on life or simply the sheer fact that we were on our way to do a neighborhood health assessment. Either way, these thoughts embed themselves in my everyday life and I am forced to wonder how we could improve everything! From neighborhoods, to accessibility, to policies, every minor detail strikes a fire in me that wants to learn how to fix things. These embedded thoughts were no different as we walked around Barrio Logan. It was a beautiful community where you could truly feel the love and camaraderie as you turned every corner. Attached below is one of the many touching art memorials at the Chicano Skate Park. Although there was an abundance of art and culture, there were not many elders walking around which pretty much summed up our neighborhood health assessment. This was a stark contrast to the event we held on Saturday, where elders were flowing in and out all morning at the Gary and Mary Senior Wellness Center. This event was truly one of the best experiences I've ever had. It was so much fun and my heart was so warmed that we were able to provide a little bit of comfort to these amazing folks. Attached below is a picture of two elders in a warm embrace as they watched their peers take a polaroid picture. This picture captures all the warm and lovely feelings I experienced this Saturday morning.
From crying during the oral history projects to taking a tour of the Mary and Gary Senior Wellness Center, it's been an enlightening couple of weeks! I genuinely enjoyed hearing about everyone's EP's and found them very endearing. Hearing a few of the projects brought me to tears, as I could really tell that that person presenting had formed a deeper connection with their EP and was so excited to share with us. It was so fun hearing so many different stories and seeing everyone's pictures. Everyone's EP's also had great advice and I think we all gained a bit of knowledge that day. Overall, I am really happy that we all got to partake in this project. It has taught us so much, while also being an enjoyable experience. Just a few days ago, we visited the Mary and Gary Senior Wellness Center. I had no idea of what to expect, as I had never visited a senior center before. I was also quite confused as I realized this senior center was in the middle of downtown San Diego. But, as we learned that the majority of seniors who attend this center are homeless, I realized that this was an actual ideal spot. We also learned that this served more as an activity center that serves breakfast and lunch and focuses on case management, but it made me wonder where the older adults went when the center closed their doors at the end of the night. It made me sad seeing all these older adults and getting to know them, because why is systemic homelessness normalized? It's a complex issue that requires a lot of people, time, and money and one that I would like to prioritize in my future career. But, for now centers like these are a great first step and makes me hopeful for future policy changes.
|
Hannah ChoiHannah Choi is a Public Health major with a concentration in Public Policy and Management, she is Archives
March 2022
Categories |