I LOVE visiting Casa De Manana, I wish I would have know about this community when I first started college here at UCSD. I think if I would have known about it before I would have been doing some sort of volunteer work there, not only is it a beautiful place next to the beach but the people there are just so beautiful! They have a wonderful heart and are open to discuss anything but most importantly are willing to listen to your ideas and ask about your life. This past class we spent it at Casa de Manana and we began by introducing ourselves and discussing our neighborhood projects (Barrio Logan).
Once we did introductions we were already in groups and began to engage in group activity with the elders to see what their ideal intergenerational community consisted of. The first topic that was brought up was transportation, and how the community at Casa De Manana would have liked to have the trolley that’s being done here at UCSD to pass by this community. They explained how it is difficult to go up the hill to catch the bus therefor transportation is their biggest concern. Other then that they would love to have housing with UCSD students like they do in other parts of the country and civic participation in which community members of all ages got together and enjoy music, art, etc.
Another topic that came to rise was visiting Barrio Logan, they showed interest in it and would love to go see the artworks and maybe even eat there. Majority of the community here discussed their concern with transportation and intergeneration with UCSD students, they really love spending time with us and embracing what they learn from us but we also like to learn from them (: It is always a pleasure to be here.
After grabbing snacks, I went to sit back with one of the elders from Casa that was in my group and she was just discussing all sorts of things. I remember clearly her telling me that she has traveled a lot but currently no because it is more difficult to do that now then when they were younger because they are prone to get sick. She mentioned a friend who currently traveled and got very sick, but is recovering now. She also mentioned how Casa De Manana members are very sad because they just had one of their cooks pass away from a heart attack, leaving behind a young daughter (19 years old) and wife. She mentioned that Casa is having busses available to take them to the services because he was very loved and in general they are a family who care for each other. Another interesting topic she brought up was that Casa De Manana offers about 14 scholarships or so that range about 1-2K or so for students to go to college. One of their servers received a scholarship and will be going to Chicago to study. It amazes me how many opportunities they have not only for the elders here but also for their staff and surrounding.
Once it was time to leave, the carpool I was part of went down to the beach. I’ll attach some images if that as well, it was so beautiful and relaxing.
Once we did introductions we were already in groups and began to engage in group activity with the elders to see what their ideal intergenerational community consisted of. The first topic that was brought up was transportation, and how the community at Casa De Manana would have liked to have the trolley that’s being done here at UCSD to pass by this community. They explained how it is difficult to go up the hill to catch the bus therefor transportation is their biggest concern. Other then that they would love to have housing with UCSD students like they do in other parts of the country and civic participation in which community members of all ages got together and enjoy music, art, etc.
Another topic that came to rise was visiting Barrio Logan, they showed interest in it and would love to go see the artworks and maybe even eat there. Majority of the community here discussed their concern with transportation and intergeneration with UCSD students, they really love spending time with us and embracing what they learn from us but we also like to learn from them (: It is always a pleasure to be here.
After grabbing snacks, I went to sit back with one of the elders from Casa that was in my group and she was just discussing all sorts of things. I remember clearly her telling me that she has traveled a lot but currently no because it is more difficult to do that now then when they were younger because they are prone to get sick. She mentioned a friend who currently traveled and got very sick, but is recovering now. She also mentioned how Casa De Manana members are very sad because they just had one of their cooks pass away from a heart attack, leaving behind a young daughter (19 years old) and wife. She mentioned that Casa is having busses available to take them to the services because he was very loved and in general they are a family who care for each other. Another interesting topic she brought up was that Casa De Manana offers about 14 scholarships or so that range about 1-2K or so for students to go to college. One of their servers received a scholarship and will be going to Chicago to study. It amazes me how many opportunities they have not only for the elders here but also for their staff and surrounding.
Once it was time to leave, the carpool I was part of went down to the beach. I’ll attach some images if that as well, it was so beautiful and relaxing.