With the holidays right around the corner -- a Seattle senior center is making sure Filipinos who immigrated later in life are never alone.
" This is a place where we make them feel at home,” said Mariela Fletcher, President of IDIC Filipino Senior & Family Services.
It’s a principle that has fueled IDIC, or the International Drop-In Center for 53 years.
Fletcher says it’s more than just keeping these seniors company.
“I know that I am able to help in so many ways, not financially, but help them in making them feel wanted, making them feel secure wherever they are, making them feel safe,” she explained.
Many of the seniors at IDIC immigrated from the Philippines, and had to leave a community they know and love.
" Getting uprooted from your home at a later age in life, and then replanted in a new place. So imagine the homesickness, the loneliness, and the depression that comes with it,” said Executive Director Lanvin Andres.
Andres told KIRO 7 he’s been involved with IDIC since he was 17 years old. Since then, he’s dedicated years trying to bring home to them.
" Barkada is very important, which is basically your niche, your group, and your community,” said Andres.
He says it takes a village to create that environment.
" Because when they’re all together, speaking the same language, sharing the same culture, sharing the same food that they like, people’s lives become the quality of their lives improve,” Andres explained.
He says he’s seen strangers become friends and turned into family.
" We see them become their younger selves. We see them less, less ill, more healthy.”
The work they do goes beyond spreading cheer. Twice a week, seniors come to IDIC for their food bank.
“When they come here twice a week and pick up a bag, that’s adding food on their table. And that’s less worry for them,” said Fletched.
Year-round, Fletcher says seniors who are often underprivileged will grab a bag filled with comfort food.
“Sometimes they don’t really have enough to buy groceries. We know that the cost of food has gone up. And so this is a big help for them,” Fletcher explained.
And for Filipinos, giving comes naturally.
" The Filipino culture, no matter what, what you do, no matter what challenges you face, it will always come back to its roots,” said Andres.