TESTIMONY
Ortiz Wala, Social Caseworker at Encore Community Services on the Need for Full Funding for Older Adult Centers
2:36:28
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3 min
Ortiz Wala discusses the critical role of older adult centers in NYC and the adverse effects of budget cuts.
- Wala describes diverse services provided by older adult centers, including meals, housing, and case management.
- Highlights challenges such as inadequate housing, harassment by landlords, homelessness, and mental health issues among older adults.
- Argues against the proposed $18 million budget cut, emphasizing its potential to erode support systems for older adults.
- Proposes solutions to improve services, such as hiring additional caseworkers, providing more meals, and ensuring livable wages for staff.
- Calls for City Council recognition of the centers' importance in ensuring the dignity and well-being of New York City's seniors.
UNKNOWN
2:36:28
Good afternoon, council members, thank you, chairs, Hudson, and Avila, for the opportunity to testify today.
2:36:35
My name is Ortiz Wala, and are in honor to serve the older adult community of New York City as a social caseworker at Encore Community Services within the aging 2 Arts center.
2:36:46
I've worked in aging services for more than 15 years ranging from transportation and meal delivery to case assistance.
2:36:53
I've been at the forefront ensuring the well-being and dignity of our city's older adults.
2:36:58
Today, I'm here to talk about the needs for the full funding of our older adult centers.
2:37:03
Encore Community Services is one of New York City's largest Azing Services provider offering the full range of services from home delivered meals.
2:37:11
Housing, AOCs, OACs, and case management.
2:37:15
Some challenges we have been facing at our centers are housing.
2:37:19
We have seen a significant rise in the number of older adults living in inadequate housing conditions.
2:37:24
Some are unable to access the spaces they have called home for decades safely.
2:37:29
These challenges are compounded when living on fixed incomes.
2:37:33
Older adults are facing harassment from their landlords.
2:37:36
Who want them out to rent their apartments from market value.
2:37:40
We've also experienced an increase in the number of homeless older adults who are seeking a support in our center.
2:37:49
The increase in mental health crisis is also affecting our members.
2:37:54
Many of our older adults in our centers are experiencing mental illness in some form via dementia, depression, or anxiety.
2:38:02
Staff at our center are often among the first to recognize these signs and provide resources and support.
2:38:08
This reinforces the point that our facilities are not merely spaces re recreation.
2:38:13
They are crucial hubs for the physical, mental, and social well-being of our members.
2:38:17
In light of the proposed 18,000,000 budget cut, it is crucial to acknowledge that threatening these centers would not only diminish the quality of service, but could lead to the erosion of the very support systems that uphold in dignity and well-being of our older members.
2:38:34
If the if the justification for budget reduction is underutilization, our urge the city not to cut, but instead redistribute that money to where our older adults tell us they needed the most.
2:38:47
As a caseworker serving an enrollment of close to 2000 active members, I'm usually booked the mountain advance.
2:38:55
Instead of cutting funding, why not add another caseworker to our center?
2:39:00
With an additional caseworker, our utilization will go up.
2:39:03
Instead of insisting that we can only give 1 meal a day, why not allow Encore to provide 2 or 3 meals a day to the homeless older adult who needs that additional support.
2:39:16
I'd be remiss to say rather than cutting our older adult centered budget by each 1,000,000.
2:39:21
How about paying caseworkers at AOC's deliverable wage?
2:39:25
Rather than the poverty wages, we are contracted by from the city right now.
2:39:30
We should not be working full time and still qualify for SNAP benefits.
2:39:35
I urge the city council to recognize the multifaceted role of older adult centers in the lives of New York City Seniors.
2:39:42
The proposed budget cuts represent a step back from our collective responsibility to care for those who have contributed so much to our community.
2:39:50
Fully funding these centers is a testament to our city's commitment to ensuring that older adults live there later years with respect, care, and the enrichment they deserve.
2:40:02
Thank you for your time and for your ongoing commitment to the older adults who built this city.