By Alka Gupta

I recently volunteered for Community Service at ICC in Milpitas. Before volunteering, I had no idea that ICC has such a wonderful, ongoing, program for Indian Seniors. I have been very fortunate to learn more about this program as well as get to know the very warm and talented staff and participants in this program.

I thought the program provided such a great service for our parents that I decided to help spread the word about it. There are two India Community Centers (ICC), in Milpitas and Cupertino, where this program is hosted. ICC is a non profit organization, and the membership fee for seniors is only $15 per month on a month-to-month basis or $150 for a one year membership. Members meet at the center for about 3 hours, 4 days a week from 11AM – 2PM. The detailed program schedule at both these centers is available here. The program is run by the talented and dedicated volunteers who are seniors themselves. The center has excellent facilities for recreation and socializing. A pure vegetarian lunch is served at a heavily subsidized price of $2.50 by santa clara county and catered by a well known local Indian restaurant. There is also an on-site canteen serving north and south indian food. Members can engage in interactive programs on current affairs, music, yoga, and performing arts. It also has a physical fitness center, Pool Table, Table Tennis etc to keep them in good physical condition. In addition, it is fully equipped with Computers and Internet for those seniors who want to enjoy the high tech flavor of Silicon Valley.

Seniors enjoying a Day at the Gym

The ICC Senior Family

The Senior Indians who come to this center, really seemed to enjoy being here, some of them even said that it was like their home away from home. The thing I heard most was that they got to meet like minded people in similar phases of their lives. During one of the Round Table sessions on the topic: “Faith, does it make you weaker or stronger”, all the members sat in a round circle. Mr. Sagar Sharma, the chair of the session explained that the Round Table spirit is towards our belief that we are all equal, there is no one front or behind, left or right, meaning all have equal say on the topic. Nice! I thought. The program provides such a valuable service to the community that it was recently recognized by the county of Santa Clara and is supported financially by them.

Most of the participants I spoke with have children who are settled in the area, but are very busy with their personal lives, work, home and kids. The seniors are mostly visiting from India for several months, or they are permanently settled here with their children. Many are retired professionals, doctors, engineers, teachers, etc., are very knowledgeable and have a lot of time available during the day. Although this program is perfect for keeping the participants intellectually and physically stimulated, in many cases, it can also provide an avenue for them to explore their undiscovered talents! All their lives, they have been busy with their work and raising their children with no time for pursuit of hobbies. This community of seniors engage and encourage each other, especially the women, in a very supportive way, allowing them to express and grow their hidden talents: Be it singing, dancing, kitting, making rakhees, writing, history, etc. New members are often shy, but soon the dormant artist is awakened in them. Together they celebrate Lodhi, diwali, Dushehra, Baisakhi and other Indian festivities. This community of seniors is like an extended family who come there and end up making lifetime friends. They love ICC, and consider it their home and pride. They have a magnetic influence on each other. The atmosphere is up beat and happy. They are always looking out for each other. From time to time they go on vacations that range from 10 days Alaska cruise to a trip to Brice Canyon

While on one hand, ICC is helping seniors enjoy a more fulfilling and healthy life, on the othe rhand, it is helping Obaba and the USA government save money on insurance costs, as these seniors need less access to thier healthcare funds via Social Security. Its a win win situation for both the immigrant seniors, as well as for USA budgets.