To: City Council
Subject: senior center cuts
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024 5:16:22 PM
First - let me thank each of you for serving our community and addressing the budget cuts that you are charged to make.
I just became aware that you are considering cutting the Sebastopol Senior Center's funding.
I must have misunderstood this. I find it hard to believe that services would be cut to an agency that serves some of the most valued, and most vulnerable of our citizens
I am a psychotherapist and have worked extensively with seniors. In the past I was the recipient of the Washington State Governors Award on Aging. I am aware of the great unmet need for services for our seniors: food, housing, inhome care, volunteers, medical needs and more. Services in our community are minimal. Low cost housing currently has a four year waiting list and is not taking new names. There is no other facility for seniors to obtain personal and social support, referrals, activities, friendship and other non-negotiable needs. The Sebastopol Senior Center needs MORE funding, not less.
How can you possibly be considering this cut. It must be a mistake. Surely you are aware of the gift that our seniors are to us all? Surely you are aware of their needs? Surely you are not abandoning our elders?
A community that abandons their elders is a cold one, lacking a basic understanding of what matters most.
If by chance this deplorable budget cut is truly on the table I implore you to check in with your heart and stop this now.
Sincerely,
Wind Hughes