Wow what a day! We learned about the living costs and concerns about the elderly community in San Diego county and why this Wellness Center is such a great resource for people. A fact we learned is that the poverty line for people in America is $1060 a month and the average people that are there regularly get from social security and another resource is $957. Then, the rent in San Diego on average for one room with shared utilities is around $720 so they don’t have much left (~$237) for anything. The struggle is real. So, these people are really close to being homeless and are in the edge of the poverty line. I didn’t realize the numbers of the people and it scares me that so many people are struggling to have a meal every day, but it gives me joy that there are resources like Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center to help. The whole facility is so beautiful there were two floors of resources. The most amazing resource was the dentist facility where all the services are free for the people who qualify. I was so surprised that it existed, and I am glad these resources are available because these are basic needs that everyone should be able to access. The place seemed very open and welcoming to everyone I enjoyed being there. Also, I met Bob at the game room, and it was wonderful to meet him because I was able to know more of his life and have a nice conversation. He made me realize the importance of relationships and how decisions in your life can have such a huge effect on your life. Then, we got the opportunity to give everyone in the cafeteria their lunch at the tables. The whole atmosphere was alive and filled with life because everyone was having conversations and laughs. I was filled with joy when I would give people their plate because they would either give me a smile, a thank you, or a small gesture. Overall, it was such a great experience to see everyone in a community and finding a place where they can socialize and lessen the feeling of loneliness. For instance, Bob would go there every day to socialize, he wouldn’t like to eat there, but he would sit there and enjoy the experience of being around a community. I knew he probably did not want to be alone, so I am glad that he found a safe space and that other people can call it their safe space too.
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MARICELA CANOWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
June 2019
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