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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Susannah Ham, Member of Homecrest Senior Center
3:09:47
ยท
3 min
Susannah Ham, a retired employee of the Controller Office of New York, shares her positive experiences at Homecrest Senior Center and emphasizes the importance of keeping senior centers open. She describes how the center has enriched her life post-retirement, providing opportunities for learning, socializing, and staying active.
- Ham participates in various activities at the center, including tai chi and crafts, which contribute to her physical and mental well-being.
- She volunteers at the center and values the sense of community it provides for older adults.
- Ham urges the city council to prevent budget cuts that could lead to center closures or reduced services, stressing the vital role these centers play in maintaining the quality of life for seniors.
Susannah Ham
3:09:47
Good afternoon, chair Hudson and the committee.
3:09:51
My, my name is Susannah Ham.
3:09:54
I work for the Controller Office of New York for sixteen years in Bensonhurst.
3:10:02
And I retired in 02/2018, and then I joined the Homecrest Senior Center.
3:10:11
And I love it.
3:10:13
Every day, I look forward to go there.
3:10:16
I learn a lot of things that I never learned because all all of us younger, we have to produce things for the family and go work for the for the life.
3:10:29
So every day just going to work and coming home and take care of the family.
3:10:34
And after I retire, I thought I was gonna be very poor, but I found Homecrest Center, and they provide a lot of things for us.
3:10:44
And I was very happy.
3:10:46
And I joined a lot of classes like tai chi for my movement so that my body will not feel stiff.
3:10:55
And I learned a lot of skills to make these little things.
3:10:59
Maybe it doesn't really matter, but to me, I'm very happy.
3:11:04
And every day, I look forward to go there.
3:11:07
And I make little things, and I give it to my friends over there, and they have joy.
3:11:13
So I'm really thankful.
3:11:17
And and, every day, I go there and eat lunch and talk to my friends.
3:11:24
And I volunteer also for the activities because at least I am more mobile than than a lot of older folks.
3:11:34
And few years back, I give a speech at the press conference organized by LIFE on New York, fighting for the budget.
3:11:44
I enjoy all the things and it's vital for our well-being.
3:11:49
The center is my second home.
3:11:52
I look forward every day go there.
3:11:54
And losing it is only going to deprive me with the meaningful experiences.
3:12:02
But it would also strip also my sense of the community that help keeps older adult like me healthy, engaged, fulfilled, and keep up to date knowledge.
3:12:16
The proposed cut of this service will be direct threat to our quality of life.
3:12:24
I urge the city council to stop the over hundred million in cuts that threaten the close the center or reduce the vital services, and allow older adults like me to age with dignity.
3:12:41
Please keep the center open.
3:12:43
We need it in them.
3:12:44
Thank you for listening to my story and consider my testimony.