There's a special place where smiles are shaped, friends gather, and memories are shared. Stories about growing up in countries thousands of miles away, discussions about the strength of raising 1st and 2nd generation children in the United States are what echo in Spanish and English, along the calling of Bingo numbers at CLUES' Aging Well-Services.
Located in St. Paul's Westside neighborhood on the corner of Robert and Annapolis street, the program facilitates 5 days a week hosting programs for Latino senior citizens. CLUES (abbreviated for Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio, Spanish for Latino Communities United Services) advocates assistance for senior and public housing, congregates dining, medical and health care services; along with spiritual, recreation, exercise, and social activities with transportation for those in need of a ride to and from the center.
One may wonder what the heck a 21 year-old hip-hop emcee/perfoming artist advocate was doing at an aging well service. Well the answer is that I've formed a fan base of mid 60- late 80 years olds. Yes, a fan base of senior citizens who were awaiting a performance from myself and British-Indian guitarist, Rohan Arora. The performance was booked by staff members who took the request from my biggest fan, my grandmother Cayita Vega; who has been a member of the senior program for about 3 years and actively promoting CLUES to fellow friends and family members.
With a set list ranging from mariachi, r&b, hip-hop, and reggaeton songs; I was amazed to have an 80 year-old woman standing up, shaking her hips and clapping her hands. It was pretty amazing to see CLUES was having an acoustic show in there facility; and that hip-hop was being welcomed, understood and accepted by the mothers and fathers of the baby-boom era.
Manager for the program, Erin Monjarrez explained, "We (CLUES staff) have been doing as much as possible to keep the doors open and create more opportunities for our elders." Monjarrez has been concerned of what the future months may bring with our country's economic issues and programs being cut for many non-profit organizations around the cities.
When asked about what I'd be writing about for this week's first blog, many assumed it would be a recap of the past weekend's adventures of First Avenue's album release parties for both Illuminous 3 and Heiruspecs (Pick up Illunminous 3's "Room" and Heiruspecs self-titled album... They're both awesome and are great stocking stuffers!); along with the Wu-Tang Clan reunion in the main room while it was -0 in the Twin Cities ( Big ups to Verb X for hosting the night on the 1s and 2s and Dusti the Bar Manager who was enjoying the world-known "killer bees" of NY); but a joyous classroom-sized room of senior citizens singing "Feliz Navidad," truly expressed my passion to share my personal experience at CLUES.
While we focus on the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Barrak H. Obama, we still find ourselves in a country trapped in a war, suffering from lack of health care benefits and percentages of people living in poverty; but a
half an hour of performing to a crowd who has survived more then one depression, ten presidents and three or more wars, reminded me that in troubled and frustrating times, we can still commit to share more light in a room where hope and strength continues to be celebrated.
To learn more about CLUES and their services log on to www.clues.org
Also, learn about more community programs and non-profit organizations online.
-M.I.'s Groups of the Week-
Illuminous 3 and Heiruspecs
Check out their official pages:
Illuminous 3
www.illuminous3.MN
Heiruspecs
www.heiruspecs.com