Saturday, Feb 7, 2009
Posted on Sat, Feb. 07, 2009
Fort Worth Hispanic leaders want to meet needs of senior citizens at new center



By DIANE SMITH
dianesmith@star-telegram.com
FORT WORTH — Maria Juarez has an ailing lung.
The 60-year-old immigrant is uninsured and doesn’t know where to get medical help. But assistance is on the way through Voces Olvidadas Tercera Edad (Forgotten Voices of the Elderly), a senior center being launched on Fort Worth’s north side to better meet the needs of Hispanic senior citizens.

Organizers of the new nonprofit want to link Hispanic seniors to health and social services in the community. They also want to offer seniors a place to network and forge friendships.

"I didn’t have any schooling," said Suarez, who lives in Mansfield. "For me it’s good that they help me."

The Fort Worth center is a national prototype for Hispanic advocates who want to help the senior community tap into resources. The effort will also help immigrants — legal and undocumented — find social service groups that can assist them when they don’t qualify for government programs.

The group is also helping American-born Hispanics better understand what services are available.

Plans for other centers are being discussed for Dallas, Chicago and in states such as Ohio, Idaho and Utah, which have emerging Hispanic communities.

The effort is supported by the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, which describes the center as an important part of helping the immigrant community.

"There is a lack of information right now," said German Trejo-Caballero, LULAC’s national chairman for the group’s National Commission on Immigrant Affairs. "Voces Olvidadas will fit the need."

A ribbon-cutting was held Friday for the center, at 301 W. Central Ave. Use of the building was donated by Dr. Oscar Martinez. Guest speakers included Rosa Rosales, national president for LULAC. Center organizers will also launch a magazine, also called Voces Olvidadas Tercera Edad. The magazine will keep Hispanic seniors informed about aging issues in the United States.

Hispanic role models such as journalist Jorge Ramos and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will be featured in upcoming publications.

Amada Arteaga, president and founder of the organization, said the group is relying on donations and volunteers to get the center operational. Fifty-one seniors are signed up for activities that are scheduled to start Feb 16, including English and Spanish computer classes.

Sister Gloria Cabrera plans to bring seniors from Mansfield to the Fort Worth center once it opens officially next week. "It’s hope for them," Cabrera said. "It’s a resource where they can get help."



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If you go
Voces Olivdadas Tercera Edad (Forgotten Voices of the Elderly) is at 301 W. Central Ave. in Fort Worth.

Information is available at www.vocesolvidadas.org or by calling 817-714-5867.http://www.star-telegram.com/metro_news ... 90253.html