VIDA SENIOR CENTERS
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Mission Statement
The mission of Vida Senior Centers is to improve the quality of life of the elderly, focusing especially on the Hispanic community that we have been serving for 50 years. VIDA aims to improve the welfare and self-sufficiency of our participants through programs and services designed culturally and linguistically to meet the specific needs of older adults. At Vida Senior Centers, we are not only committed to providing the best quality of the services to our participants, but we do our work with love and dedication because our work is our passion.
About This Cause
Vida Senior Centers was founded in 1959 under the name of EUFULA (Educational Organization for United Latin Americans). EUFULA was the first Hispanic non-profit agency founded in Washington DC, and was created as an umbrella organization to serve the whole Hispanic community in the capital area and soon after the organization decided to focus its mission on serving the Elderly. Vida Senior Centers provides a comprehensive array of programs in culturally and linguistically appropriate formats. Programs include health awareness and monitoring, medication management, mental health counseling, social services, nutrition education classes as well as individual counseling. Additionally, participants are offered a rich array of educational and recreational activities: English and Spanish Literacy, computers, Tai-chi, Embroidery, knitting, chair-exercises, Zumba, dancing, Music, Citizenship Classes, Mindfulness, Yoga, Bingo and more. Also, Vida Senior Centers we organize monthly activities: celebration of birthdays of the moth, a trip to a dollar store, field trips to museum or theaters, activities sponsored by different institutions, and we have guest speakers at least twice a month that range from experts on topics of interest for seniors to council members and ambassadors from Latin American countries. Vida also serves as a distributor of the Food Bank given monthly to qualified participants. 90% of participants qualify for the food bank. Our doors are open from Monday to Friday to serve the 7000 Hispanic seniors in DC in our two locations. Around 60% of our participants live below the poverty level and a majority are at risk of poverty. Daily, at least 120 participants come to our centers to receive services and a hot lunch. Our participants are almost exclusively Hispanic, but all are welcomed. Vida provides its services free of charge to all participants over the age of 60, who live in the District of Columbia. Some services are oriented specifically to seniors living in poverty due to the nature of some of the grants we receive and the population we serve. Vida's staff consists of fourteen staff members including four counselors: Health Promotion and Wellness Counselor; Mental and Behavioral Health Counselor, Nutritional Counselor and a Case Manager. Our Cuban health promotion counselor assures that participants are staying healthy by taking their medication and teaching them how to be proactive in regards to their health. Our Argentinian Mental Health Counselor helps participants deal with crises and mental health issues through individual and group counseling. We also have a Brazilian nutritionist on staff that helps participants eat healthily. Our Dominican case manager assists in filling out forms to help participants request services from other agencies as well as conducting citizenship classes. This organization is fueled by love and a commitment to the community. Any contributions through donations or volunteering are gratefully appreciated and can improve and maintain the quality of services we provide.