Our staff is honored to visit Program Partners in the Southwest throughout the year. Holidays are always a favorite time to catch up with them and the people they serve.
When we attended a Thanksgiving Community meal in Fort Yuma Reservation of the Quechan Tribe, many Elders were shy about the camera. However, they all voiced their appreciation of the support provided to them throughout the year. There were a few Elders who spoke with us about spending the holiday with the staff and members of the Senior Center.
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| Juliana is looking forward to retiring and spending more time with her family. |
Meet Juliana
Juliana has 3 children, 16 grandkids and 4 great grandkids.
She usually cooks the Thanksgiving meal with her daughters. An Elder of 70 years, she served in multiple capacities, such as a tribal council member and was the Economic Development Director, as well as other management positions.
She is retiring and is looking forward to spending more time with her family and the Senior Center. She shared, “I try to go to the exercise classes" and she likes that they "get a bag of goodies."
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| Steve was glad to come to the senior center and have an excellent meal. |
Meet Steve
Steve shared that he wasn’t able to cook and was “glad to be able to come to the center and have an excellent time and meal.”
Steve participated in the healthy living activities and appreciated the extra items he was able to take home.
He added, “They are really beneficial to the elders and help with costs and getting items we can’t always get.”
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| Frances and Frank enjoyed the special meal. |
Meet Frances
Frances and her son, Frank, were also enjoying the special meal. Frances was happy to be able to play bingo and have a meal with her son at the center. Frank was glad he could join his mom and said, “It’s a way of spending time with her and enjoying a good meal.”
Frances is 75-years-old, has 4 children, and 11 grandchildren. Her father was Quechan and her mother was Hopi from Polacca, AZ.
She has been coming to the center for the last year and a half. She stated, “The center does a lot for the Elders… they go on trips, do health education and exercises, and give them incentives and Christmas bags.”
We are happy to have supported the incentives and Christmas bags services at the facility for many years. Frances was glad to get these extra items, mentioning that “times are tough and the items help a lot.”
