SE expo gives various options for senior students

By Jamil Oakford/se news editor

Seniors attending classes on SE Campus Nov. 13 may have gotten more information than they knew what to do with at the Senior Citizen Expo.

Coordinated by continuing education, the event included several vendors from companies offering health services to organizations looking for volunteers.

SE senior student James Baker was not only walking around to discover all the information available, but he was also assisting his wife in finding volunteers to be liaisons between foster children and the court system.

“We go to court and tell them what they should do with the foster kids based on what we see,” Baker said.

Senior student James Baker gathers information from various health and volunteer service vendors at the SE Senior Citizen Expo Nov. 13. Eric Rebosio/The Collegian
Senior student James Baker gathers information from various health and volunteer service vendors at the SE Senior Citizen Expo Nov. 13. Eric Rebosio/The Collegian

He’s been doing this for four years with his wife. He explained this while sipping on a cup of coffee he got from Vicki Hughley’s table promoting a blend infused with vitamins.

The Arlington Public Library was also in attendance to get word out about its several programs available for seniors.

“This could benefit seniors and their mental health,” librarian David Jackson said. “Reading keeps your mind sharp. We can even take books to those who can’t physically leave their home with our program Books on Wheels.”

Besides assisted-living facilities also being there, a 50+ Back to Work program and a representative from the school was talking to seniors about how the group can get them back into the workforce.

“It’s designed to help sharpen workforce skills for the participants,” Back To Work coach Maretta Collins said.

A volunteer coordinator from the Community Hospice of Texas attended to recruit volunteers. The recruiter explained the group’s Memory Bears program and what all volunteers can do at the hospice.

“I honestly think it’s an amazing idea,” SE student Alyssa Eesmaelia said.

She was one of the younger people that attended.

“People can come through and see what’s available in the community for their grandparents,” she said. “There are things here that aren’t just for seniors. I’ve been looking at some of the vet stuff because all my roommates are vets.”