It was the perfect morning to venture out into the community and see the various resources San Diego has for our aging population. Our site visit this time took us to the diverse community of Linda Vista, where we visited the Bayside Community Center. Being that Linda Vista is made up of various dialects, cultures and experiences, it was exciting to see a community centers role in bringing it all together. Upon arriving, we were greeted by the executive director of the center along with some staff. He was very knowledgeable and was able to give us a brief background of how he landed at Bayside. He began to tell us how he, after a couple months of assuming his role as director of the center, had been given the news that the center had no money. He was tasked with trying to figure out how to fund the center, if not, it meant the center had to close. This center has been in the community for over 85 years, and residents who often had little money, were offering to take on second mortgages to keep the center running. After a few months of searching for a way to become sustainable, he happened on an offer from a real estate agent representing schools. This real estate agent wanted to buy part of the land that the center sat on to build a free, public charter school meant to provide for underserved students. After a year of negotiations, they were able to become debt free and decide on building both a new school and new community center for the community that should all be completed in next couple of years. The director was very inspiring and truly understood how important to center meant to the community, but also how much the community meant to him and his staff. I look forward to seeing what the center and school looks like when its all completed.
It wasn’t much later until we were invited to participate in a valentine’s day theme Zumba class with some members of the community. It was a fun and interacting experience that allowed us to be able to truly connect with those who visit the center. After an intensive 45 minute Zumba class, we were invited to participate in a potluck. This was a great chance for us to be able to interact and have conversations with community members. In my conversations, I was able to understand and see the diverse range of experiences and life’s this center sees. The most important thing of all was seeing and hearing how important Bayside is to the community of Linda Vista, and that some people have been coming here for over 40 years. I’m eager to see the new facility’s once they are completed, and I look forward to returning in the spring.
It wasn’t much later until we were invited to participate in a valentine’s day theme Zumba class with some members of the community. It was a fun and interacting experience that allowed us to be able to truly connect with those who visit the center. After an intensive 45 minute Zumba class, we were invited to participate in a potluck. This was a great chance for us to be able to interact and have conversations with community members. In my conversations, I was able to understand and see the diverse range of experiences and life’s this center sees. The most important thing of all was seeing and hearing how important Bayside is to the community of Linda Vista, and that some people have been coming here for over 40 years. I’m eager to see the new facility’s once they are completed, and I look forward to returning in the spring.