ACC Senior Services congratulates Susan Sarinas on her retirement from ACC Senior Services. Susan was our Lifelong Learning and Wellness and TEAM & CHANGES program manager. She played a vital role in developing many of our programs and services at ACC, helping build our Community of Caring. We’re going to miss her in our HCBP Division!
I got a chance to talk with Susan over lunch and learned so much. Here’s an excerpt of our conversation:
JS: Talk about your early days at ACC.
SS: When I first started across the street at Park City, I worked for $12/hour. I had no office, no cell phone, no extension. Doreen had a desk with a typewriter extension and I would sit next to her and use that as my desk. I’d do outreach, flyers, bill reviews, all of that. Later I took a position at GT assisting the residents, answering calls, giving tours, doing marketing. Then Bridge to Healthy Families came along. They needed someone for outreach, education, and workshops. No one else was doing outreach and marketing except Kory at the Care Center. Some years I did 20 or more events on behalf of all of ACC and MoW.
JS: What about LLWP?
SS: LLWP was always ongoing. When I took over, we were across the street at the Meals on Wheels building and we had the Computer Lab, two conference rooms, the lobby and the Wong and Kiyama room for classes. After we moved to this building in 2014, we could have lots more classes.
JS: Talk about the classes.
SS: We had lots of language, taichi and yoga classes, different levels and different times so people could come after work too. Yoga pilates was really popular. We tried to have something for everybody.
JS: When did you start bringing Buster to ACC?
SS: I found him 11 years ago on Franklin Blvd. at night. I opened my car door and he jumped into my lap! I got a letter from Kaiser designating him as a comfort dog for mental health (laughs). So, Buster has been here since my 2nd year. He’s seen it all!
JS: Over all these years, what stands out the most to you?
SS: Helping all the seniors and how grateful some of them are. That means the most, especially TEAM and CHANGES.
JS: What makes TEAM and CHANGES special?
SS: I think because everybody that does the program really wants to help people and occasionally, you have someone who really, really needs that help. There was a woman with a special needs son who didn’t have money to replace a broken heater in the middle of winter. I called the ESAP and they replaced it at no cost.
JS: Well, Susan, I’m going to miss our late afternoon chats. All of us at ACC will miss Buster, who charmed everyone with his jaunty walk and no-nonsense attitude. Thank you, Susan, for 12 years of service. Your legacy will endure for many years to come!
SS: Thank you, Jeri!
Tributes to Susan
Bill Tom: “I have accompanied Susan on many outreach visits in the community promoting ACC. She was always a great advocate promoting ACC with the utmost professionalism. I will cherish the outreach visits I worked with her on and hope she will find time to volunteer with ACC.“
Jo Fong: “I will miss the cute holiday favors you gave to the staff and volunteers and definitely will miss Buster asking for his daily snacks and then taking his afternoon potty-walk.”
Nora & George: “It was a pleasure to work with you as your Japanese interpreter, going to the Japanese Buddhist Church to help Japanese speaking Nisei with bills. We know Nisei appreciated your hard work very much. Yes, it was a hard work, but we also had fun, didn’t we? Wherever you go and whatever you do, may sunshine follow you.“
George Connor: “The music scene at ACC thrived and flourished, largely due to Susan’s encouragement and support. Being one of the many musicians who grew and developed under that loving support, I will miss Susan immensely. Please stay in touch, Susan, and visit often. Your warm smile lifts us up.“
Alfred Yee: “Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Happy trails to you, keep smiling until then. Who cares about the clouds when we’re together? Just sing a song, and bring the sunny weather. Happy trails to you, until we meet again.” (These are the lyric of “Happy Trails,” the closing song from the Roy Rogers Show broadcasted on TV in the 1950s. Happy Trails to Susan!)
Krystal and Joanne: “Your work ethic inspires us to go above and beyond. You have blessings and appreciations from numerous clients you have helped. It may now be the time to just doing something for yourself and your family! Don’t bother to spend the time even on your own utility bills, bring them in!”
Haroon Abasy: “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me directly and indirectly; it’s much appreciated. The few cases that I worked with you for TEAM, I learned a valuable lesson, which I am grateful for. Best wishes for a very happy retirement; and never give up on your physical activity.”
Mary Nakamura: I hope you’ll enjoy retirement with the knowledge of the ways you have helped me and countless others over the years, from reviewing phone plans to supporting the ACC Lifelong Learning program, especially the music clubs that met at night. Take care!
Robert Nakashima: “Congratulations to Susan on her well-deserved retirement! I know that we are all deeply appreciative and grateful for her outstanding efforts on behalf of the ACC and the larger Asian community which it proudly serves. Here’s wishing Susan (and Buster!) clear skies and smooth sailing in all their adventures yet to come.”
Jeri Shikuma: “Here’s to long walks with Buster (and maybe new furry friends too), conquered home improvement lists, and time for whatever comes next. Here’s to you! Congratulations, Susan, and salud!”
The Rides Team: “The JILL of all TRADES! Congratulations, Susan“
Pickleball Program: We would like to thank Susan for her leadership, input, guidance and patience in developing a system that satisfied government and ACC’s requirements during uncertain times to re-open the Pickleball program on June 25, 2021. We want to wish Susan a well deserved retirement.
There Will Never Ever Be Another Susan
Lyrics modified by Ted Fong from “There Will Never Be Another You” written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon
There will be many other days like this,
And we’ll be standing here with someone new,
There will be programs in the spring,
Like yoga class and other things,
But there will never be another you.
There will be other dogs that hate me too,
But they won’t growl like Buster used to do,
We’ll miss his nights at ACC,
How will the moon stay blue?
If there will never ever be another you?
There will be other livestreams we can do,
With Dani, Krystal, Sean and Soojin Yoo,
Wieneke has the Rides team,
And Shikuma has Haroon,
But there will never be another you.
There have been special people just like you,
Like Linda, Khonnie, Chia, and Anna Su,
But one thing Susan you should know,
We all agree it’s true,
That there will never ever be another you!
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