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SEA MAR Community Care Center
SEA MAR Community Health Centers was organized by a group of Latino community leaders and health activists who dreamed of developing a comprehensive health center for the Latino community in Seattle, with satellite clinics in rural communities in western Washington. They began in 1978 with one small clinic in the South Park neighborhood of Seattle. SEA MAR stands for Seattle/Marysville, as it was the founders’ dream to serve the Hispanic population in Seattle and Marysville. SEA MAR Community Health Centers were established to provide comprehensive, affordable, and culturally sensitive health and human services to the Latino, low income, disadvantaged, migrant and seasonal farm worker population. As local community needs were recognized, the same mission was expanded to include ALL populations, ethnicities and incomes. Today SEA MAR Community Health Centers is one of the largest providers of health and human services, including community and migrant primary medical and dental care, obstetrics and gynecology, minor outpatient surgery, laboratory and radiology services, outpatient and inpatient behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services, social services and case management, maternal support services, migrant and homeless support services, health education and nutrition programs, pharmacy services, community – and facility-based long-term care services, and child care.
The Residents of SEA MAR Community Care Center meet monthly, and contribute ideas for menu selection and activities. A variety of activities are offered, including exercise, sensory stimulation, bowling, casino night, book club, movie time, baking time, bingo, loteria (Mexican form of bingo), happy hour (with non-alcoholic drinks), and arts and crafts. Residents have been active in the “Seniors Making Art” program, a program pioneered by Dale Chihuly in 1991, which brings instructors into the facility once a week for a 2-month period. Through this special art program residents have worked with ceramics, painting, and water color, and are looking forward to starting a new program in Mexican yarn art. SEA MAR Community Health Centers’ mission has always been to serve low-income, underserved, and uninsured communities in western Washington, with a specialization in services to the Latino population. For the past twenty-seven years, SEA MAR has consistently provided innovative leadership at the local, regional, and national levels in the delivery of bilingual and culturally appropriate health care and social services. A scholarship program is offered by SEA MAR Community Health Centers that awards 20 scholarships, in any field, to high school and college students that have a farm migrant background. In 2002, SEA MAR implemented a program at the South Seattle Community College for CNA’s, with the clinical rotations taking place at SEA MAR Community Care Center. In 2004, they expanded the program to include an LPN degree, and are working to further expand the program to include an RN degree.
As part of their community focus, SEA MAR Community Care Center organizes a September Fiesta to celebrate Independence. They organize a local parade that starts at SEA MAR Community Care Center, and ends at the South Park Community Center. They invite business members to participate in the parade, and have crafts and food available at the community center until 7pm. The residents vote on a King and Queen, and the resident “royalty” join the other parade participants. The annual SEA MAR Golf Tournament is held each September, in conjunction with their Fiesta, with 100% of monies raised going to projects that SEA MAR could not otherwise provide through their operating budget. SEA MAR Community Care Center also plans a Children’s Holiday Party, inviting 1200 low income children. They raise money to give three gifts to each child and arrange for local restaurants to cater food for free. The SEA MAR residents and children create the table and wall decorations used for the parties. When asked what it means to be a nonprofit organization, Spencer Comstock, Administrator, said, “Being a nonprofit organization means people come first. We have the opportunity to provide quality health care services to all individuals regardless of ethnic background, current living situation or financial status.” SEA MAR Community Care Center is a member of WAHSA, a state association serving primarily not-for-profit organizations, dedicated to providing quality housing, health, community and related services to older persons. WAHSA is affiliated with the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). When asked what it means to be a WAHSA member, Spencer Comstock stated, “WAHSA has been a driving force for quality health services to the aging population and others. We are proud to be a part of an organization that looks to serve our most frail and at-risk populations. We are capable of offering high quality and effective care services thanks to our membership with WAHSA.” SEA MAR Community Care Center Affiliate of the SEA MAR Community Health Centers 1040 S Henderson, Seattle, WA 98101 1-(206)-763-5210
President/CEO Mr. Rogelio Riojas To Contact
Administrator Mr. Spencer Comstock To Contact |
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SEA
MAR Community Care Center was built in 1994, and opened its
doors on January 17, 1995, Washington’s first skilled nursing
facility specializing in the care of Hispanics. The 100-bed
center, including a secure wing of 19 Alzheimer’s residents,
emphasizes culturally sensitive individualized care. Residents
are cared for by bilingual nurses; physical, occupational and
speech therapists; and have regular visits by consulting
physicians, dentists, and podiatrists. Residents’ social and
spiritual needs receive the attention of SEA MAR’s social
workers, recreational therapist, and visiting clergy. The
facility is attractively furnished, including Mayan-influenced
architecture, lively décor and spacious well-manicured gardens.
SEA
MAR’s Community Care Center includes a bilingual child
development facility, with the capacity to care for 120 children
from infants to twelve-year-olds, with children ages 0-2 meeting
in the child development facility, and children ages 3-5 meeting
on upper floors in the care center. The older children attend
the special summer programs. Over 80% of the families of these
children are below the poverty level, as defined by the U.S.
Government. Intergenerational programming emphasizes interaction
between generations – giving elders and children daily
opportunities to share language, traditions and friendship. The
intergenerational program helps desensitize the children
concerning disabilities, seeing the elders in wheelchairs, and
with their aging related infirmities. The elderly can assist in
teaching the children a variety of tasks, such as table manners,
tying shoes, and cultural history.