Over 20 immigrant, refugee and main-stream Portland seniors grew a little warmer today. SEMpdx (Search Engine Marketers of Portland) donated 22 Snuggies (those blankets, with the arms and pocket) to the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization’s (IRCO) Senior Services program. The timing of the generous donation is especially meaningful as this winter has proved to be colder while heating bills and other expenses go higher.
On Tuesday, December 14th, the Emergency Board for the Legislature will meet to decide on a myriad of pressing issues facing our community. Included among the issues discussed will be a possible 75 percent cut to Medicaid and a dissolution of the Oregon Project Independence (OPI) program that works to keep Oregon seniors healthy, safe and in their homes as long as possible (as opposed to being moved to high cost, low care nursing facilities).
Nicole Baker-Wagner, Unit Manager for all of IRCO’s Senior Services programs explains “we are already at a bare-bones budget after cuts the last several years. Even small cuts that have happened this year greatly affect the service we can provide to these vulnerable seniors…case loads are way up.”
We’ve all felt the effects of the recession, but seniors on fixed incomes and with little support have been especially susceptible. The past few years have seen isolation in the senior population rise as they lose funding subsidies for transportation. Instead of using a bus ticket to go to a community senior center, seniors must choose to save those tickets for doctor’s appointments or grocery shopping. Fears of inability to pay utility bills keep seniors in the cold as they turn down thermostats and try to “tough it out”. The Snuggies from SEMpdx —a Portland-based, non-profit dedicated to nurturing the development of the search engine and social media marketing industry in the greater northwest — will be put to good use!
IRCO Senior Services Department serves over 2,000 unduplicated clients yearly from the immigrant, refugee and main- stream senior communities in Portland. The department has several programs including two weekly lunches with over 150 attending, a bi-monthly “Harvest Share” fruit and vegetable giveaway in partnership with Oregon Food Bank, case management, ESL classes, specific senior refugee programs and many more.
Looking around IRCO’s Community Center today you can see groups from Russia, Bhutan, several Southeast Asian countries and many Africa countries. These seniors meet weekly to talk about their lives, share their cultures and experience community. Some sign hymns, some share jokes and some just sit in the presence of those who understand their story and where they have been. “To promote the integration of refugees, immigrants and the community at large into a self-sufficient, healthy and inclusive multi-ethnic society” is IRCO’s mission, and the Senior Services department is a shining example of that on a daily basis.
Thank you SEMpdx for thinking of IRCO seniors this winter season and giving the gift of warmth!
To See more pictures from the day, click here!
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SEMpdx Gives IRCO Seniors Snuggies