By Khalida Sarwari
Toni Sanseverino has been a regular at San Jose’s Alma Youth and Senior Community Center for the past 13 years, and tonight she and fellow members will be holding a meeting to tell city officials why the center should be a priority as they finalize their budget.
“This is my second home,” the 82-year-old widow said. “I like to meet here with my friends. We have lunch together, we exercise every day, and we go for walks. Without it, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
The center is at risk of losing staffing because of cuts the city will have to make to close a $115 million deficit. The City Council will vote on a final budget on June 21.
Tonight, Samseverino will be among hundreds of others, young and old alike, who will try to appeal to the city to maintain at least one staff member at the center and to protect the senior nutrition program, which for some provides their only meal of the day.
The meeting will be organized by members of the Alma Youth and Senior Community Center, along with Sacred Heart Community Service. Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen and Councilman Sam Liccardo are expected to attend.
The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the center, located at 136 West Alma Ave.