Department Message
Erin Manuel
Senior Services
Connecting Waters with Jessica Martinez Community
Employee Spotlight
Jessica Carmelo
Program Spotlight Community Liasion
Better Living Top Tips for Summer-Safe Eating
Kraft Korner Let’s Get Krafty
Mind Teasers Let’s Get Krafty
Community
Contact us
Address
10510 E. Osborn Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Phone
480.362.6350
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@SaltRiverSeniorServices srpmic-nsn.gov/ government/seniors
Managing Editor Jon Newman
Writer/Editor/Designer Laura Toussaint
Graphic Designer Ravenna Curley
Photographer Samantha Zivic
Cover Photo
Cactus in bloom
Ske:g tas and Kamduum.
For those who don’t know me, I am Erin Manuel. I have worked 22 years for various departments in the Community, the last nine, here at Senior Services in Recreation and Homecare. I currently oversee our Vitality team, which includes the Health & Wellness, Cultural and Caregiver programs.
I am grateful for and welcome the opportunity to serve our Community’s seniors and adults with adaptive needs in any way I can. I encourage you all to reach out if you need assistance.
With summer in full swing, I encourage you all to stay hydrated and check in on each other. There are many times that a simple gesture goes a long way. Take care and be safe.
Erin Manuel Senior Manager, Senior Services Vitality
Hello all,
with Jessica Martinez
Welcome back to Connecting Waters, or welcome if you are new to this column. My name is Jessica Martinez, I am the Community Liaison for Senior Services. I use this column to answer some FAQs I receive from seniors around the community. Some range from really common questions about our services to wacky questions like: “My dog needs a haircut, can you guys do that for me?” (Yes, I’ve really been asked that question before). I am here to answer them all!
My mom lives alone, and I’m worried about her falling or something else happening. What can I do to take preventative measures?
So, there is quite a bit you can do. I’m sure you have already heard about our SHRRP program, which can install things such as handrails, widen doors for walkers and wheelchairs, or make bathrooms handicap friendly, but have you also heard about the Fall Prevention Program through HHS? This program can offer smaller home adjustments such as minor handrail installation, moving furniture, and home assessments that can reduce fall risk and improve safety. This program also provides physical tests to see if your mom is at risk of falling. You can contact Monte Yazzie at HHS to schedule an appointment to assess your mother. Also, to be extra safe, you can bring your mother into Senior Services to sign up for a LifeAlert install because you can never be too safe, right?
More questions? Contact me at 480.362.7386 or jessica.martinez2@srpmic-nsn.gov
Hi! I’m Jessica Carmelo, Food & Nutrition Supervisor here at Senior Services. I was raised in Coolidge with my mom, Rosa Carmelo—she is Akimel and Tohono O’odham —my dad, Jesus Carmelo—he is Pascua Yaqui —and my two brothers and younger sister. It was a lot of fun growing up there. My cousins and I would ride bikes, play in the cotton fields, catch frogs and go to library—I loved to read. I read all the Box Car Children books. They were always solving mysteries.
After high school, I earned an associate degree in culinary arts from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. I’ve been cooking and serving food at Salt River and Gila River for more than 20 years.
I came to Senior Services in 2019 as a cook before becoming a supervisor last year in 2023.
The job can be challenging and rewarding—every day is different. I like seeing the seniors enjoying themselves during meals. It’s really nice when they let us know that they tried something new and they liked it or when they want to know a recipe.
When I am not working, I like to just hang out at home and binge-watch whatever I am into at the time— Friends is something that I can watch over and over. I also really like Grey’s Anatomy and the Walking Dead . I am a fan of most of our sports teams and enjoy watching them on TV or live. I also like to go to concerts and casinos—I love roulette. It’s also fun to try new restaurants and fun local places that have live music.
See you around the center!
The Community Liaison position was created in 2018 to help establish and encourage a collaborative relationship with other governmental departments with programs and services useful to community seniors.
In addition, the Community Liaison works to gain knowledge of the community’s outreach services and present them in a way that our seniors and adults with adaptive needs can better understand and access.
The position also increases engagement with Senior Services and ensures that seniors are informed and educated about all Senior Services programs and services.
“When people ask what I do, I often say that I’m like the information station of Senior Services. I am here to help anyone who doesn’t know where to go, even outside of Senior Services or the
community,” said Community Liaison Jessica Martinez. “I want to make sure our seniors get what they need, even if it’s just someone to listen to them or resources that they may need to be able to stay in their homes and be there for their families. I don’t want them to feel hopeless.”
A large part of the Community Liaison position is outreach. Jessica attends many community events such as Council District meetings, Social Services open houses, and the WOLF’s Family Day event. She also consistently networks with other departments so they are aware of Senior Services and ways we help serve overlapping clientele.
“Though we are just down the street from Two Waters, other departments may not know we are here or what we do,” said Jessica.
“I am extremely thankful for the connections I made when I was on the CDD Tourism Team because those connections helped me get Senior Services involved in some big community events to spread the word about what we do to a bigger audience,” said Jessica.
The position requires a true “people person” who can effectively interact with various departments, leadership levels and personalities.
“Sometimes you have to be a chameleon and switch vibes to establish relationships with some of our seniors or their families so that they are comfortable letting you advocate for them. You need to be empathetic and able to say, ‘Hey, that sounds like a headache. Do you want some help with that?’ I also feel like my personality comes in handy when dealing with other departments so that no one feels like they are being blamed for something. It’s more of ‘Can we help this senior together?’” said Jessica.
with seniors and listening to their needs, ideas formed that eventually led to new positions and programs to serve seniors, such as the facebook page, Health & Wellness and Culture programs, and bringing in IT classes so seniors can be connected—something that became more important with the recent pandemic.
“I want to make sure our seniors have what they need, even if it’s just someone to listen to them...”
“I really wasn’t too sure what I was hoping to accomplish with this position. My boss, Director Deer, was very supportive and told me to listen to what the seniors want, trust my own opinion and go from there,” said Jessica. “Although I had some trials and errors, I think sometimes you just got to do the things you don’t feel like you can do, or you’re not sure if the seniors will like, and do them well, then you realize that these were the things you needed all along.”
If you have a question, concern, or just want to chat, call Jessica, or better yet, just drop by. She would love to see you.
Over the years, and through the many conversations she has had
jessica.martinez2@srpmic-nsn.gov
I was raised in Phoenix—I’m an Urban Indian. Our house was around 14th Street and Polk in the barrio. Chuckle. I lived with my grandfather, my dad, my brother and sister and two uncles. My grandfather was Apache and my grandma was Maricopa from Lehi.
When I was 14, I met Kayla at a mall. We had a few kids. She was from Salt River so I moved in with her family and they helped us with the kids. We had two sons and daughter. She eventually moved on, but her family invited me to stay with them so they could help with the kids. They were really nice and took me in.
It was around then that I started working for the tribe—I was around 16. I did a lot of different jobs over the years—custodial, sanitation, grounds maintenance, landscaping, and then housing. There, my supervisor, Herman Grey, taught me a lot. I liked living here in the community. To me, it was like living in the country. I remember visiting
When I was young, I was really into sports. I played all of them—football, basketball and baseball in little league and then, I think they called it pony league—it was for older boys, like 13-18. In my teens, I also participated in track and field. I liked the 600—long distance. I participated in programs at the Butlers Boys Club, where I started running cross country and at school. Later, I went to Phoenix Union High. There, I played tackle football and ran cross country. I liked traveling from high school to high school for the games and track and field events.
my grandma’s family in Lehi, and I always thought about it as going to the country—it was so open.
Anyway, I liked the community a lot. I met a lot of good friends here, including Kayla’s brothers, especially Steven. We worked together on a lot of jobs. His uncle had a landscape company. We worked for him.
We liked going to the chicken scratch dances at different people’s houses. Unfortunately, things started happening, fights and other things, so they stopped the open dances. They had the ones at the community center, but they weren’t as open and fun as the ones at the houses, so we quit going.
I rode the bus back to that stop on McDowell and walked home. My dad said I should move back to Phoenix with them, and I did for a while since the kids were being cared for.
“I liked living here in the community. To me, it was like living in the country.”
I was laid off from my job two years later and for a while, I entered a dark period. I drank a lot and was running around. I didn’t worry too much because my daughter moved with my sister up to Camp Verde, and my son with Kayla’s family. The other one was adopted.
When I was 19, I worked for the city of Phoenix. I would walk to the bus stop on McDowell and ride in. After work,
I remember my dad trying to give me advice, and I told him I was a man and didn’t need to listen to him. He said to me that a man takes responsibility and takes care of his family. I was 27 when I took that advice. I started to visit my kids more on the weekends.
My daughter liked to swim, and there was a nice swimming hole where we would have picnics. We’d also rent videos and eat pizza—that was her favorite. My son and I would go to sports games, and he really liked music, so we went to concerts.
I also remember asking my dad why no one wanted to be around me, and he told me it was because I was mean and angry. So I took that advice too and became more open and friendly. When the kids were grown, I got a little wild again. I started drinking. I was smoking and not taking care of myself. I was getting older, and my decisions affected my health. I was hospitalized several times, but I would just go back to my old ways. When I was hospitalized for a third time and they
were not sure I was going to make it, my kids were crying, and they told me they did not want to lose me, so I quit— for good. That was five years ago.
I started coming to Senior Services right after that.
“When I was hospitalized a third time and they were not sure I was going to make it, my kids were crying, and they told me they did not want to lose me, so I quit—for good...I started coming to Senior Services right after that.”
I remembered what my dad said, so I remained open and friendly. I really liked the people here—the workers and the other seniors. I talked to everybody, and I liked being around them. Back then, the men would hang out in the Man Cave—I saw the ladies and a few men would go to the North Annex, but I didn’t think too much about that. I would kick back with the guys—a lot of them aren’t here anymore.
I also was focusing on my health and trying to get better, so I went to Enhance Fitness and came in for meals. Then the pandemic hit.
A friend of mine who worked in home care and the activity room told me they were closing the center due to the pandemic. She had made an activity bag for me to take home. She told me that she put a drawing pad in my bag. I told her I didn’t know how to draw, and she said, “You might learn.”
We didn’t know how long the epidemic would last, so after a few days, I took out that pad and started drawing animals— rabbits, monkeys, quail. Then, I started drawing native things—people and patterns. I was sharing my stuff on facebook. People told me I was good and encouraged me. I did several native drawings, framed them, and gave them to friends. I did one drawing of a traditional Hopi girl for my friend and a bear head with eagle feathers. She has them hanging in her living room. She tells me people comment on them all the time. When the center opened up again, I started coming for meals, and now I go to crafts all the time.
I give most of my stuff away, but it’s fun to hang out with everyone to create the different projects. I also went back to Enhance Fitness and the Tai Chi classes when they started them. I really like those.
“I am grateful to Senior Services and all they provide...It’s a great place to come.”
Meditation and Tai Chi are really helping my lungs. I keep that in mind when I meditate in Tai Chi. My lungs won’t ever heal, but they are better. When I first started, I couldn’t even walk from the dining room to the craft room. With the Enhance Fitness and Tai Chi, I can walk farther. I don’t need a cane or walker and oxygen. The classes also helped me lose weight.
I am grateful for Senior Services and all that they provide—not just the trips but also the socializing and learning new things. They have helped me make new friends, discover my artistic side and improve my health. It’s a great place to come.
Seniors 55+, come make new friends and enjoy free lunch in the Senior Services dining rooms!
It’s convenient, free and easy! Simply sign up at 480.362.7990 and show up!
Monday - Friday | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Senior Services & Lehi Community Building
With the warming weather, it is time for BBQs and summer gatherings. Whether you are hosting or making food and taking it to the gathering, you’ll want to follow these savvy summer safety tips for your food.
Always keep your hands clean. Hand sanitizer can be used, but handwashing is the best way to avoid cross-contamination of foods.
Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods —any foods that don’t require cooking. Use separate cutting boards for meat and poultry and fruits and vegetables.
Cook meats to the proper temperature , which is 145 F for meat and 160 F for poultry. Check with a food thermometer.
Keep cold foods cold at 40 F or below. Serve in smaller portions and refill as they are eaten, or nestle serving dishes in ice.
Keep hot foods hot at 140 F or above with warming trays, chafing dishes, or a slow cooker.
Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking and serving. Food left out at room temperature or outdoors for too long can begin to produce bacteria.
Cultural Resources Director Kelly Washington displays a rendering of the day school’s renovation. The school is being repurposed to provide cultural offices, educational and community spaces.
In our last issue of LifeWays , we explored the history of the day school. In this issue, we will examine its future.
The day school most of us remember was completed sometime between 1934 and 1937 and has been in its current location for nearly a century. It is one of the Community’s most prominent historic landmarks.
It originally had 12 classrooms (one for each grade), open-air courtyards, an auditorium, a cafeteria, indoor bathrooms, and a teachers’ dormitory building.
Over the years, the grade levels offered by the school changed, with higher grades gradually transitioning to the public school system outside the Community by the 1960s. The school was eventually closed in 2007.
In addition to education, the school also served as a gathering place for a variety of community and cultural events. But that’s in the past. As we look to the school’s future, many thought it best to continue the day
school’s legacy as a community gathering place for education and culture. That vision is taking shape.
Reconstruction of the day school began in the summer of 2023 to repurpose the buildings and grounds into the new Cultural Resources offices and classrooms, as well as dedicated ceremonial and community spaces.
“The overarching goals of the project are to preserve as much of the historic buildings as possible and to provide and support the most cultural services to the most community members, not just what best serves CRD,” said Cultural Resources Director Kelly Washington.
When completed, the historic school and teachers’ dormitory will become new offices, classrooms and work spaces for the Cultural Resources Department. In addition, several indoor and outdoor spaces will be available for other programs, groups and Community members to schedule for cultural classes, presentations and gatherings.
“The school had a significant impact on the Community for over seventy years. Its restoration will allow us to provide more language and cultural classes, as well as community spaces for dance, storytelling, traditional games, and other cultural activities. It will create a bridge between our histories and a future we will create from the strength of our Community, our culture, and our traditions,” said Kelly.
The day school’s classrooms and spaces will provide a variety of functions for the Community, including:
• Courtyard & Stage : This intimate outdoor gathering place for mediumsized cultural events such as storytelling, demonstrations, art shows, performing arts and artist markets.
• Piipaash Language Classroom: This classroom is designated for Piipaash language instruction.
• O’odham Language Classroom : This classroom is designated for O’odham language instruction.
• Traditional Arts & Crafts Classroom/ Studio : This classroom/studio will be used for working with wood and raw plant materials such as material preparation, wood carving, bow/arrow making, and gourd crafting.
• Fiber Weaving Classroom/Studio : This classroom/studio will be used for working with pre-processed plant, fiber and leather materials such as sewing traditional clothing, loom and basket weaving, beading and leather crafts.
• Pottery Classroom/Studio : This classroom/studio will be used for working with clay, shell and stone materials that require ventilation and wash areas with sink traps such as processing clay/natural paints, pottery making, stone tool manufacture and shell etching.
• Commercial Kitchen : The kitchen will
provide a sanitary place where meals can be prepared for small and large cultural events, cooking classes and processing of harvested and foraged foods.
• Dining/Multipurpose Room : This indoor dining area provides a comfortable space that can also serve as an additional meeting and instructional space.
• Outdoor Covered Classroom Area : The outdoor area has two distinct but interrelated gathering areas for meetings, classes, demonstrations, lectures and other events.
• Outdoor Kitchen : The outdoor area will be equipped with wood/gas grills, food preparation areas and a komal for tortilla making for cultural events and cooking classes.
• Outdoor Ceremony Area : This open area can accommodate a wide variety of cultural programming such as singing, dancing, pottery firing, traditional games and storytelling.
• Outdoor Restrooms : These will be available for the outdoor gathering spaces and also be accessible Community Garden and Cultural Gathering Grounds events.
• Auditorium : This well-remembered space will be restored to an original look with a stage. It can be used for a variety of medium to large gatherings such as performances, lectures, presentations, OPLP monthly eldergathering meetings and Four Southern Tribes Cultural Resource Working Group meetings.
• CRD Staff Workspaces : The CRD offices and workspaces will house CRD administration and OPLP staff and allow room for future growth.
The restoration and repurposing project is slated for completion in late 2025.
Kathy Toney knew about SHRRP before she became a senior. Her sister, who has a disability, has been helped by them many times, so when Kathy turned 55, she was grateful to be able to take advantage of the help SHRRP provides.
Over the years, SHRRP has done many projects for Kathy, including repairing termite damage in her ceilings, weed abatement and upgrading her windows, but her favorite project is the replacement of her kitchen cabinets.
“My cabinets were original to the house and so old, they were missing doors and drawer fronts. Sometimes, I would catch myself or my clothes on them. Now I have so much more storage space,” said Kathy. “I cook more because I like being in the kitchen and I feel like I eat healthier because I cook more.”
SHRRP Supervisor Jamie James shared the process for cabinet replacement projects.
“Cabinet replacements require custom designs based on the client’s kitchen layout and measurements. They take time for layout, approval and materials order and delivery, so these projects take longer than flooring or roofing,” said Jamie.
Cabinet projects start with an in-home assessment with the client and the CSA. Existing cabinets are inspected for damage and unsafe exteriors that pose a hazard. If replacement is necessary, the residential construction coordinator conducts a more thorough assessment. If recommended for replacement a project is opened and presented to the SHRRP committee for review. Measurements are taken and plans
are drawn up. Clients pick their countertops, cabinets and finishes.
“Our goal with all SHRRP projects is to ensure homes are comfortable, healthy and safe based on our clients’ needs. They are why we do what we do,” said Jamie.
When asked what she would say to other seniors who may need help but are unsure about calling, Kathy shares the words her sister told Kathy when she was unsure, “Sometimes I don’t call because I think I’m asking too much, but sister always says ‘Just call’ so that’s what I would tell other seniors. And to be patient. There are a lot of seniors and a lot of projects so sometimes you have to wait, but know that they are helping others and it’s worth the wait.”
SHRRP also provides day-to-day services that seniors and those with adaptive and medical needs may find challenging such as weed abatement, changing air filters, repairing exterior doors that do not close correctly or windows that do not seal properly.
Services range from simple to complex projects such as renovations and retrofitting of interiors to meet health or safety needs. These can include, but are not limited to:
• Kitchen Cabinets
• Flooring
• Handicap Bathrooms
• Ramps
• Exterior Door Covers
• Roofing
If you are an existing SHRRP client with an afterhours/weekend HVAC or plumbing emergency, you can call community dispatch to reach an on-call technician or plumber at 480.850.9230.
Here is a fun and simple craft you can do at home. Make for yourself or as a gift!
Step one: Gather your supplies: wooden halfcircle, yarn, dowel, hot glue, paint and scissors.
Step four: Glue dowel to the bottom of the halfcircle.
Step two: Paint the edges of your wood.
Step three: Cut yarn to desired length (double and add knot allowance) and loop around the dowel until it is covered..
Step five: “Comb” yarn with fingers to straighten and cut into desired shape.
Step six: Add any desired embellishments and display. Voila , your creation is done!
Objects to find:
Sudoku Answer:
Find your way to the center of the labyrinth.
