It was not one of the celebrations for me last week, but rather heartbreak.
While the other celebrated the fourth of July with fireworks and family celebrations, I was forced to furrows older with less than 800 low -income adults from a program, giving them the purpose, community and ability to survive.
Many of these are the elderly immigrants – Americans who have spent their lives working, enhancing families and contributing to our country in every comprehensible manner. Now, in their later years, they ask very little: a minor opportunity to be active, stay connected and finally meet.
There is a insensitive delay in the release of federal funds for an important employment training program at the center of this crisis. Through the Senior Community Service Employment Program, low -income old adults have been placed in part -time community service roles in the National Asian Pacific Center on aging aging that provide job training.
These roles – whether in libraries, Food Bank, Senior Center or Public Schools – only provide more than a nominal income. They provide connections, routines, dignity and a sense of meaning for those who are often left by the society after passing a certain age.
But when the funding stopped, everything stopped. Suddenly, our elderly – some were as old as old – without income. These are individuals who earn less than $ 1,200 per month and continue to work as they just have no other option. Social security is not sufficient. Their savings, if they had anyone, have gone for a long time. Rent, food, medicine – This cost is not just because Washington does.
When the participants asked, “How long will it last?” I had no answer to give. I cannot say if it will be day or week. I could only say that we are fighting for them. But we hear from all the decision makers the same vague word: “Soon.”
But “soon” does not fill a fridge. “Soon” does not cover the rent. “Soon” does not reduce the nervousness of an 80 -year -old child who does not know how they will get through the month.
It is not just a National Asian Pacific Center on the problem of aging. Our 800 elderly people are included in about 20,000 old workers across the country – many other minorities and rural communities – which were also reshuffled on 1 July when funding failed to come on time. It is not about politics or policy differences. It is about a lapse in administration that has real, painful, human results.
I have spent most of my life to advocate my elders – whose stories echoed my own parents’ journey, who came to this country in search of an opportunity and made tireless efforts to make a better future for their families. These are living incarnations of senior American dreams. He tolerated war, poverty, discrimination and chaos. They cleaned our hospitals, took care of our children, cooked in our restaurant, and built a humble job at a time. Now, they ask very little – just contribute and chance to survive.
But this week, my heart hurts. I feel powerless to see those whom I carefully care about the struggle, not because they fail, but because the system failed them. I pray that this delay is solved in days, not in weeks. I pray that next week bring good news, not another hollow “soon.”
If we cannot protect the weakest people among us, especially those who have spent their lives in protecting and serving others, then we have lost some fundamental that we are.
The Labor Department should now work to restore funds, and confirm the simple promise that America takes care of – especially those who took care of us.
Clayton Fong is the president and CEO A aging on national asian asian pacific center,
