WS-A - WORK STUDY - WELLNESS DISTRICT

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ATTACHMENT Senior citizens over 65 years of age want to feel valued in the community and to be given opportunities to share their knowledge and experiences. They tend to do their activities earlier in the day, while weekends are an important time for them to spend with family. Health, affordability, safety and transportation are big areas of concern for them. Seniors in Santa Ana tend to prefer to communicate in their ethnic languages, often not English, and enjoy participating in culturally appropriate activities. The Seniors Center in Santa Ana plays an essential role in providing this demographic with access to recreation, fitness and social activities. Seniors need places that are accessible, safe, nearby, affordable, and culturally appropriate — where they can feel comfortable and respected. Their primary activities include volunteering in the community, social activities with friends and family, recreation and fitness activities, medical appointments, grocery shopping and buying necessities. Children from 0 -12 need educational resources outside of school, parks and outdoor play, positive mentors and safe, creative places to have fun. Playgrounds, green spaces and gardens, street closures, and community activities create positive spaces for children. Childcare and the activities aimed at their parents and caregivers are also an important part of servicing this demographic. Younger youth aged 13 -17 in Santa Ana are often accused of participating in crime when they are hanging out in large groups outdoors and risk conflict with local police. This demographic needs affordable indoor recreational places, where they are able to safely and comfortably gather and socialize, to do their homework, get advice, exercise, and have fun. Lots of youth in Santa Ana work after school jobs because they come from low income families; opportunities for employment and job search support would be very useful for this demographic. Participants described this demographic as benefiting from a wellness service location that resembles a "bigger El Centro ". [El Centro is a collectively run space where different organizations meet and community members come together to organize, take classes, and share information.] Weekend visitors to Santa Ana place a primary emphasis on being able to have entertainment and enjoyment in the city. Services such as retail outlets with places for ethnic shopping, restaurants offering a diversity of food types, family events, arts and cultural activities, downtown professional services (attorneys or Mexican consultants) and educational institutions are desired by this demographic. Safety is also a big concern for weekend visitors. To attract this demographic, Santa Ana should consider promoting an improved image premised on safety and other notable elements of the city. Transportation to and out of the Santa Ana is also an important consideration for weekend visitors. Downtown commuters are another important demographic group within the city. Many of those who come are working during the day and want quality childcare, food options and fitness services close to their places of work that are easy to access via car or foot. Since they are not from the area, they need to be informed of the amenities that are available nearby and around the city. Workshop participants expressed a strong desire for culturally relevant programming and genuine consideration of the community's skills, practices and needs as part of wellness goods and services. They further emphasized the need and importance of engaging the community in its selection of cultural programming to create a sense of ownership in future wellness services and programs. They also expressed the importance of having a sense of permanence and security in the places that they use. Participants in the workshops expressed a fear of displacement from their homes, businesses, and cultural centers. The Ncxt Practice WS—A-29 Ana Wellness District: A study of demand and supply for wellness goods and services