Senior citizens who participate in
social programs such as the ones
available at the Northeast Multi-
Service facility, located at 9720
Spaulding, enjoy longer, healthier
lives. Participants here are social-
izing, while enjoying a nutritious
meal following a lively game of
dominoes.
                 Photo by Jesse Simon

Senior citizens who participate in social programs such as the ones available at the Northeast Multi-Service facility, located at 9720 Spaulding, enjoy longer, healthier lives. Participants here are socializing, while enjoying a nutritious meal following a lively game of dominoes.
Photos by Jesse Simon

Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute of Learning, told Blacks and Whites on the heals of slavery about a ship lost at sea for many days. Suddenly sighting a friendly vessel, they sent from their mast the signal: “Water, water. We die of thirst.”

According to Washington, the friendly vessel replied at once: “Cast down your bucket where you are.”

The ship once again sent the signal, “Water, send us water!”

Again the answer was: “Cast down your bucket where you are.”

This occurred a third and fourth time, yielding the same response: “Cast down your bucket where you are.”

Finally, the captain of the distressed vessel did as suggested, casting down his bucket and drawing it back up. It came up full of fresh, sparkling water from the mouth of the Amazon River. It appears the time has come for many seniors to do the same.

The current economy has some senior citizens determined not to stop until they drop, but others have been forced into retirement. Early retirement has its benefits. It allows seniors to spend more time with loved ones, take up hobbies and pursue lifelong dreams. But it also has its challenges.

Some seniors were living their dream when they were working.  Since retirement, many have loved ones and friends that seem to be too busy and still others have never had a hobby.

Some see retirement as being put out to pasture, which can create the feeling that one has lost their usefulness and their best days are behind them. These feelings can lead to isolation, loneliness and depression. It is important not to rely on others to create one’s sense of happiness and fulfillment.

There are many things that senior citizens can do to fill their life with meaning and satisfaction. Many of those things are right in their own back door.

The Northeast Multi-Service Center at 9720 Spaulding offers a variety of services senior citizens may utilize to remain active and vital to their community.

Among them are the Super Neighborhood 47 & 48 Meetings, which are held the 4th Monday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. Their mission is “to create economic revitalization and self-sufficient healthy families by encouraging residents to work together to identify, prioritize and address the needs and concerns of the community.”

Target Hunger works to promote self sufficiency for the underserved community. Target Hunger provides food and educational classes twice a month.

The YWCA Houston Senior Services programs address the needs of our senior citizens by offering human interaction, camaraderie, physical activity, and healthy meals. It also offers a place to call their own, continue to enjoy life, and participate in all it has to offer.  For more information on Senior Services call Cathleen Hunter at (713) 868-9922 ext. 136.

Other services that provide opportunity to volunteer or participate exist in neighborhoods throughout Houston. One need only look around to find them.