Sylvia’s path to SBSS stemmed indirectly from the loss of her husband. She had joined a widow and widowers group through the Griffith Park Adult Community Center (GPACC). From there she became involved in the Board of the Griffith Park Adult Community Center. “The involvement was huge for me. It was also there that I met Stephanie Vendig, GPACC-co-founder, who became a mentor. Stephanie introduced me to SBSS.”
SBSS offered the opportunity to get involved at a much deeper level of civic participation, by attending a multitude of meaningful activities, to connect with and influence political and social leaders. “There are so many dimensions to it: participating in conferences, meeting with the coalition members, with the LA County Board of Supervisors, and with the City leaders to address critical issues like affordable housing and homelessness.” Sylvia enjoyed attending the SBSS Annual Aging Into the Future Conference, and AARP’s and Metro’s Annual Conferences, and especially providing input on the Statewide Master Plan on Aging, going to Sacramento to talk with legislators about including senior considerations in the Master Plan. “Being a part of SBSS has given me a window to a wider world,” says Sylvia.
Sylva credits the culture of the AGEnts group supported and managed by SBSS for achieving as much as it has. “We’re a small group, and we’re very close. Brandi Orton (SBSS Director of Government Relations & Advocacy) is a brilliant leader. We’re bound in a common purpose. I realized that the impact of this group was tremendous.”
As she looks at the current landscape for older adults, Sylvia sees signs of some hopeful progress. She credits the Los Angeles Department of Aging for enabling the Nutrition Program which delivers low-cost hot meals to seniors, and the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, for its inner-city Wellness Programs, and for providing a multitude of recreational, social and educational opportunities for older adults at numerous citywide locations. Sylvia particularly credits Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti with leading the Purposeful Aging Los Angeles Initiative, (PALA) which she believes is critical to creating liveable cities for citizens of any age. In fact, it’s the intergenerational aspect of this vision that is most inspiring to her. “Cohousing in particular offers a practical solution for many aging issues, including the financial burden of housing, keeping older adults actively engaged in the community, and possibly helping to close the gaps of access to preventative and acute healthcare.”
Still, there are huge challenges that aren’t easy to fix. “I worry about the changes to the family. We’ve lost the extended family, and we don’t have the facilities to accommodate everyone, especially because they’re too expensive. There aren’t enough caretakers. We need to increase the workforce in caregiving and healthcare. There just aren’t enough resources.”
Luckily for all of us, we have Sylvia on the frontlines, sharing her experience, knowledge and perspective to help make the path of aging better for everyone. “SBSS has opened up my life a lot. I’m seeing so much in the city I never would have seen. It’s hard for me to believe I’m part of something so grand.”
We think it’s grand that Sylvia is helping to lead SBSS on our path.