Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 14:02:55 GMT -5
City welcomes senior Indians Maryland Avenue site opens Feb. 27
Betty Reid
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 10, 2007 12:00 AM
www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/0210phx-connect10Z3.\
html
<http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/0210phx-connect10Z3\
.html>
Phoenix's American Indian elders may have an affordable living facility
this spring.
Native American Connections, a non-profit group, will open a senior
citizen center in a north-central neighborhood. Fewer than a dozen
elders are expected to move into the 36-unit rental facility, called
Carefree on North Central.
"It's the first property for seniors in the city," said Diana Yazzie
Devine, president of Native American Connections."There is senior
housing on tribal lands. We are not aware of any other centers in the
Valley. We're very excited about this."
[http://www.azcentral.com/imgs/clear.gif]
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Though all seniors can apply for a unit at Carefree on North Central,
the group's target market is low-income American Indian seniors, Devine
said. When a dedication is held later this month, she expects fewer than
a dozen elders to move in.
Roughly 66,930 American Indians and Alaskan natives live in Maricopa
County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About 2,400 are older than
65.
Many elders are the first groups of Indians who moved away from the
reservations to seek jobs starting in the late 1940s. Some worked in
fields or attended local schools.
More Indians moved into the city. Many moved back to the reservation to
retire. Some made Phoenix their home.
Though urban Indians resided in Maricopa County, more lived and raised
kids in apartments and never bought homes, Devine said. Many, she said,
did not know they could build equity in houses.
Under the guidance of the Native American Senior Association, Native
American Connections found the north-central location to be a perfect
spot, she said. It's close to the Phoenix Indian Medical Center and
other services.
Richard Beyal is a member of senior association. The 79-year-old Navajo
moved to the Valley in 1989 from northern Arizona.
Though he lives at Westward Ho Housing and is employed as an elder
adviser to Valley native organizations, he wants to apply for a rental
unit at Carefree on North Central.
"Being an urban Indian elder, we are sort of forgotten by our nations,"
Beyal said. "That is the same with other tribes in the area. They work
here ad they turn gray here."
Native American Connections has offered offers behavioral health
services for Native Americans since 1972 and owns 14 properties in
Phoenix.
Betty Reid
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 10, 2007 12:00 AM
www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/0210phx-connect10Z3.\
html
<http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/0210phx-connect10Z3\
.html>
Phoenix's American Indian elders may have an affordable living facility
this spring.
Native American Connections, a non-profit group, will open a senior
citizen center in a north-central neighborhood. Fewer than a dozen
elders are expected to move into the 36-unit rental facility, called
Carefree on North Central.
"It's the first property for seniors in the city," said Diana Yazzie
Devine, president of Native American Connections."There is senior
housing on tribal lands. We are not aware of any other centers in the
Valley. We're very excited about this."
[http://www.azcentral.com/imgs/clear.gif]
<http://q.azcentral.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/www.azcentral.com/com\
munity/phoenix/articles/0210phx-connect10Z3.html/1385104421/ArticleFlex_\
1/OasDefault/st_lukes_bridges_ros/bridges300x250.gif/6434383735626639343\
5636565666630> [http://www.azcentral.com/imgs/clear.gif]
Though all seniors can apply for a unit at Carefree on North Central,
the group's target market is low-income American Indian seniors, Devine
said. When a dedication is held later this month, she expects fewer than
a dozen elders to move in.
Roughly 66,930 American Indians and Alaskan natives live in Maricopa
County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About 2,400 are older than
65.
Many elders are the first groups of Indians who moved away from the
reservations to seek jobs starting in the late 1940s. Some worked in
fields or attended local schools.
More Indians moved into the city. Many moved back to the reservation to
retire. Some made Phoenix their home.
Though urban Indians resided in Maricopa County, more lived and raised
kids in apartments and never bought homes, Devine said. Many, she said,
did not know they could build equity in houses.
Under the guidance of the Native American Senior Association, Native
American Connections found the north-central location to be a perfect
spot, she said. It's close to the Phoenix Indian Medical Center and
other services.
Richard Beyal is a member of senior association. The 79-year-old Navajo
moved to the Valley in 1989 from northern Arizona.
Though he lives at Westward Ho Housing and is employed as an elder
adviser to Valley native organizations, he wants to apply for a rental
unit at Carefree on North Central.
"Being an urban Indian elder, we are sort of forgotten by our nations,"
Beyal said. "That is the same with other tribes in the area. They work
here ad they turn gray here."
Native American Connections has offered offers behavioral health
services for Native Americans since 1972 and owns 14 properties in
Phoenix.