“La Sirena…La Corona…El Alacrán,” I called out into a crowd of about two dozen people at the Lou Costello Senior Center last week.
“Lotería!” someone shouted from the back corner of the room, waving her winning card in the air.
Sandra Muñoz got up from her seat and walked up to claim her prize — the first of six games we’d play that afternoon. She returned to her table, amber scented candle in hand.
It was a lively start to an afternoon meant to do much more than call cards.
Why we did this
The Boyle Heights Beat team took a field trip to the Lou Costello Senior Center to call Lotería as part of our effort to learn more about the needs of older residents on the Eastside.
I had been invited after taking a tour of the senior center in November, during my first week as a reporter at the Beat. Staff said this was the best way to build trust with the elders who frequent the center and to introduce myself and our work. The Beat’s Senior Editor Jessica Perez, Community Engagement Director Kevin Martinez, and Social Producer Jackie Ramirez joined me.
We told the older adults about the work Boyle Heights Beat has done over the past 15 years and asked them where they get their news. Many had not heard of the Beat but watched Telemundo 52 and Univision 34 daily. Others were familiar with longstanding newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and La Opinion. Several said they rely on neighbors and peers at the center for community updates.
Within minutes of starting the games, the 23 people who showed up were already teaching us how things were done there.
“Make sure to speak loudly because some of us can’t hear very well,” someone said.
“We like it when you read one card from the top and the next from the bottom,” another added.
After six rounds of Lotería, we walked around to ask what improvements they’d like to see in the spaces meant to serve them.
Here’s what local elders told us
- Senior centers are community connectors
At Muñoz’s table, four women colored Christmas trees, filled crossword puzzles and read the Beat’s Quinceañera edition.
The women shared that they appreciate the time they spend together at the center, the attentive staff, the daily programs, the community they’ve built with one another and the food. Exercise classes are some of their favorites.
- They help attendees combat loneliness
For Filiberto Colotl, 82, coming to the center every day eases the loneliness of an empty home.
“¿Por qué nos venimos aquí? Porque aquí encontramos una nueva familia,” he said. Why do we come here? Because here we found a new family.
Colotl said that as his kids have gotten older, some have moved out while others are gone during long workdays.
At the Lou Costello Senior Center, Colotl said he can participate in activities, share struggles and wisdom with new friends who, like him, have experienced “the school of life.”
- Elders want to feel safer in their communities
Rosa Hernandez, 68, has lived in Boyle Heights for over 20 years and walks to the center daily from a few blocks away. Her biggest concerns come from navigating life outside of the center.
The surrounding park feels unsafe and she wants to see streetlight repairs in her neighborhood, Hernandez said.
“Quiero que tengamos más apoyo y que se preocupen más por nosotros,” Hernandez said. I want us to have more support and for [the government] to care more about us.
- They want to see improved programming and more fieldtrips
Hernandez shared that she enjoys the current programming available at the Costello Senior Center, including embroidery, exercise and dance classes. She hopes to see more trips to botanical gardens and parks.
The women at Munoz’s table shared the same sentiment and added that they would like to see more workshops related to mental health and tech support.
What’s next?
Our survey remains open, and we want to continue hearing from the elders in our community about the changes they want to see. The results will help us shape our coverage of a growing population that has established deep roots in their community but is often underserved and overlooked.
And we’re tracking a recent motion by Councilmember Ysabel Jurado calling for a district-wide senior center needs assessment to identify necessary improvements and costs to each senior center in Council District 14. The motion was approved by the city’s Arts, Parks, Libraries and Community Enrichment Committee, chaired by Jurado, on Dec. 9 and will now go to the full City Council for a vote.
We’ll continue surveying elders in person at upcoming community events, including Camino City Terrace on Dec. 13 and our next Cafecito with The Beat event on Dec. 18, at Picaresaca Barra de Cafe. We also hope to bring our survey to more senior centers.
Take our survey
Boyle Heights Beat has created a survey to better understand what services and support systems older adults rely on — and what’s still missing. We want to know what’s important to you and what changes you’d like to see as the motion evolves. Take the survey here.
Find a senior center near you
The Department of Recreation and Parks operates 29 senior citizen centers in LA, offering services to people 50 and older. You can find a senior center near you here. Here are the two located in Boyle Heights:
Boyle Heights Senior Center
2839 E. 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90023
Costello Senior Center
3121 E. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90023