Dani Lee, LLWP Program Manager
Virginia Uchida and I sat down one Wednesday afternoon, and in a span of less than an hour, a handful of people stopped by to chat with her. When I say “chat” that means asking these people about their family members by name and having very personal connections. As we continued to talk, I thought, wow, she knows everyone!
I met Virginia when we first started the Senior Escort Program. The Adult Buddhist Association (ABA) was a huge driver of the program. She said John Yoshikawa and Jean Kashiwada encouraged her to volunteer for the program. She was one of the first people on the list who called me back eager to start.
Virginia grew up in the Delta islands, lived in Tracy, and went to Sacramento State University. She then worked at the Department of Social Services, working with welfare recipients. She said she has always worked with people in need and loved to volunteer. After retiring, Virginia volunteered with ACC across the board, helping with the golf tournament, the front desk for six years, the ACC Rides program, distributing food at Greenhaven Terrace monthly, and many more events. Pretty much anytime she is asked!
Virginia now volunteers with the Senior Escort Program, which launched last year. The program was created by the Sacramento Senior Safety Collaborative in response to the anti-Asian hate incidents that were happening across the nation. The free program provides volunteers for seniors who feel unsafe or uncomfortable alone in public, which includes walks, grocery shopping, and more.
According to Virginia, “The people are so grateful to have someone to just walk with them…I consider them friends now, everyone is so nice!” Crystal Baker, the Senior Escort Program Coordinator, reported that the participants let her know it is the bright spot of their week. One participant is blind, female, and AAPI. Virginia sees how important the program is for her to get out and have the community see her, since she can’t go out alone. Another participant recently spoke to her about the loss of a couple of close family members. She cried, but Virginia was happy to be there for support and comfort. Another participant just cracks her up every time they walk. Someone told her, “Can we go out again?” Virginia said, “Sure, whatever you want!”
“It’s so nice…it’s a community! It makes me feel good when I go home. Someone will ask, so you did your good deed?” Virginia said, “No! I get as much out of it as the participants do!”
“They say volunteering and doing things for others makes you feel good. It’s not about the money, it’s taking the time to talk to them and seeing them as a person. I am inspired by the ones that have vision loss, and what they are capable of. They don’t let anything stop them from doing things. Especially with the pandemic, socialization and being around people is so important.”
The Senior Escort Program is still looking to add new volunteers to be able to help more seniors in need. Ideal volunteers are those who naturally enjoy helping others. Virginia likes having good conversations and trying new things. “If you have a little extra time, it’s rewarding and fun to see people and get out and do things,” Virginia said. One blind participant told Virginia she was reluctant to try the program, but now she looks forward to it. I asked her what she might say to a reluctant potential volunteer, and Virginia said, “Once you walk and talk, you find out you have so much in common. Sometimes we talk about theater, art, memories…I haven’t found anyone who I couldn’t talk to, there’s always plenty to talk about!”
“I would hope that an escort program will be available when I need or want someone to walk with me or shop,” says Virginia. “This program makes me realize how grateful I am to be healthy. My uncle used to tell me each day is a gift and as I get older his words are more meaningful.”
“All the individuals I have escorted are kind, caring, and fun. I have enjoyed meeting them and escorting each one of them has enriched me with their gratitude.”
ACC was founded and built by volunteers and continues to be supported by many dedicated people like Virginia. If you are interested in becoming a participant or volunteer, please contact Crystal Baker, Program Coordinator, at info@sacssc.org or call 916-818-8236.
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