On Thursday, September 15, President Biden hosted the United We Stand Summit at the White House to counter hate-fueled violence across the country. ACC Board Member Titus Toyama was one of several community heroes featured in videos created for this summit, highlighting the important work they do to build bridges and unify their communities. Recorded via Zoom from his home, wearing his ACC T-shirt, Titus represented ACC and the Sacramento Senior Safety Collaborative’s Senior Escort Program, a grassroots initiative developed in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents since the pandemic. Titus is a founding volunteer of the program.
The Senior Escort Program (SEP) provides trained volunteers to accompany seniors on outings like walks in their neighborhood or trips to the grocery store. “I get so much out of this program,” says Jessie Lee, a SEP participant and past ACC Board President. “If it wasn’t for it, I wouldn’t be able to leave the house as much as I do. I’m able to get around, I can go shopping and things like that, but sometimes I kind of worry in case anything happens. But with an escort, I feel so safe all the time.”
SEP also gives volunteers and senior participants a way to connect with one another, build bridges across ages, backgrounds, and communities. “I think one of the most wonderful part of all this is the social part of it. Being able to connect with other human beings is wonderful. Every volunteer has been great,” adds Jessie.
“It’s a great way for me to just engage with seniors and I have learned so much from them,” says Titus. “I’ve learned about their lives and how they’ve stayed active so as I get further along in my retirement years, I’m learning lessons myself about how to stay active, and how to just enjoy life and not be constrained by being alone.”
Recently, the program has also been assisting seniors who are experiencing vision loss. The Society for the Blind provides training for SEP volunteers so they feel comfortable being sighted guides. The service has been very well-received. One participant told staff, she appreciates the opportunity to get out in the neighborhood so people are aware she lives there.
Titus’ appearance at the United We Stand Summit coincides with the formal launch of the SEP in our community. SEP has a waitlist and needs more volunteers to meet the demand. If you’d like to get involved, build bridges, and make your walks more meaningful, contact Crystal Baker at info@sacssc.org.
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