This past Saturday the Life Course Scholars were able to go on a very informative tour throughout San Diego at four different senior affordable homes. For a sense of location, many of these homes were located around or in downtown San Diego.
At the first stop, students visited the Potiker Family Senior Residence. Here, students were able to meet both Melinda Forstey and Jennifer Sinnott who are apart of the Serving Seniors program. They were able to inform students of the alarming rate of how many seniors are becoming and/or already homeless. It is inspiring to see and hear about all the great programs Serving Seniors have provided to this elder population with services such as free breakfast and lunch on weekdays as well as transitional housing for those looking for permanent housing. Fortunately, students were able to meet one of the residents, Pablo, and visit his home on his birthday! It was truly such a memorable moment to just see how Pablo was so incredibly happy to be sung happy birthday. In addition, it was wonderful to hear how grateful Pablo was for his current living situation due to his less fortunate past experiences with housing.
Next, students went to go visit the San Francis Hometel. This was a little more rundown, stuffy, and dark. Also, the additional information that these residents must share a shared bathroom is extremely alarming. A bathroom typically provides a sense of privacy and to share one with the whole floor must be so hard for those who need more assistance, getting ready for work, or etc. However of the residents we got to speak with, she said she was just grateful for a place to stay at.
My favorite location was our third stop at Talmadge Gateway. Personally, I believe this was the best housing not only due to the home’s design, but also due to its affordability because residents only pay a third of their income towards rent. Additionally, we were able to meet a wonderful resident who welcomed us into his beautiful home. It was inspiring to here about all his challenges while witnessing his still positive personality and outlook in life.
Lastly, students stopped at North Park Seniors which is a LGBTQ affirming senior housing. Unfortunately, this was the only location that the students were not able to look inside one of the homes, and was on the more expensive side of being around $900 to $1,000. However, it was incredibly nice with a beautiful patio and wonderful artwork throughout the building that subtled their LGBTQ friendly environment. In addition to that, I was able to tell how close-knit the community must be at this location due to most doors being personalized and the library hub where there magazines, books, and resources for those to share.
Overall this tour was a truly humbling experience because it really reminded me how fortunate I am to be living in the space that I am right now. Despite such amazing housing and services we were able to see today there is an extensive need for more!
At the first stop, students visited the Potiker Family Senior Residence. Here, students were able to meet both Melinda Forstey and Jennifer Sinnott who are apart of the Serving Seniors program. They were able to inform students of the alarming rate of how many seniors are becoming and/or already homeless. It is inspiring to see and hear about all the great programs Serving Seniors have provided to this elder population with services such as free breakfast and lunch on weekdays as well as transitional housing for those looking for permanent housing. Fortunately, students were able to meet one of the residents, Pablo, and visit his home on his birthday! It was truly such a memorable moment to just see how Pablo was so incredibly happy to be sung happy birthday. In addition, it was wonderful to hear how grateful Pablo was for his current living situation due to his less fortunate past experiences with housing.
Next, students went to go visit the San Francis Hometel. This was a little more rundown, stuffy, and dark. Also, the additional information that these residents must share a shared bathroom is extremely alarming. A bathroom typically provides a sense of privacy and to share one with the whole floor must be so hard for those who need more assistance, getting ready for work, or etc. However of the residents we got to speak with, she said she was just grateful for a place to stay at.
My favorite location was our third stop at Talmadge Gateway. Personally, I believe this was the best housing not only due to the home’s design, but also due to its affordability because residents only pay a third of their income towards rent. Additionally, we were able to meet a wonderful resident who welcomed us into his beautiful home. It was inspiring to here about all his challenges while witnessing his still positive personality and outlook in life.
Lastly, students stopped at North Park Seniors which is a LGBTQ affirming senior housing. Unfortunately, this was the only location that the students were not able to look inside one of the homes, and was on the more expensive side of being around $900 to $1,000. However, it was incredibly nice with a beautiful patio and wonderful artwork throughout the building that subtled their LGBTQ friendly environment. In addition to that, I was able to tell how close-knit the community must be at this location due to most doors being personalized and the library hub where there magazines, books, and resources for those to share.
Overall this tour was a truly humbling experience because it really reminded me how fortunate I am to be living in the space that I am right now. Despite such amazing housing and services we were able to see today there is an extensive need for more!