Seniors find their path to citizenship through Mission Neighborhood Center

Last year, six seniors in the Mission neighborhood were finally able to say they are U.S. citizens thanks to a Citizenship and English as a Second Language program offered by the Mission Neighborhood Center.

The program has been serving Latino and other immigrants for 12 years in addition to other services that make the building at 362 Capp Street a home away from home for the Mission’s elder population. So far, 50 seniors have become citizens through the program.

There are currently two ways that immigrants can apply for citizenship status. The first is for those who are 60 years or older and have been a resident of the U.S. for 15 years or are 55 years or older and have been here for 20 years. They are eligible to take their tests in their native language. The second is for those under 55 who have been a permanent resident for five years; they have to take their tests in English. The Center’s bilingual classes are open to both groups now, though traditionally the program was just for seniors. On average, three students graduate from their 12 person classes per year, but last year saw a doubling of that number.

Araceli, 56, took her test two years ago with her two sisters after being in the U.S. for 38 years. She found out about the classes from a sign advertising the classes. “The instructor was a very well-prepared and educated person with a lot of patience to help all of the students that attended the class,” said Araceli. “She motivated both me and my two sisters.” All three of them received their citizenship thanks to the Center.

The pace of the class is up to the student. The Center offers tutoring as well as mock interviews and practice tests. The official test is scheduled once an individual has determined that he or she is ready to take it. “If you and the instructor feel you’re ready, then you just go ahead and fill out an application and go for the interview,” says Martha Calderone, Director of Senior Services at Mission Neighborhood Center.

Those who want interviews must fill out an N-400 form and pay a $680 application fee. The fee allows you to test up to three times to pass; after that you have to pay another time to take the test three more times. The Center helps those without the financial resources to pay the fee get fee waivers or matches up to half of the cost from an emergency fund.

Aracleli says that the classes are not very difficult because the staff helps you in every way. The class took her and her sisters just one month to complete. “I am very happy with the program,” said Araceli.

Because of the bilingual nature of the classes, Calderone says that some seniors take the classes to learn Spanish as well as English. It is just one of the many ways that more than 700 seniors a year are supported through the center. Other senior activities such as knitting and sewing classes as well as movies and social events are scheduled throughout the day to keep “hands and minds active,” says Calderone. The Center also hosts lunch every weekday from noon to 1 p.m. to feed up to 60 seniors; starting Dec. 4, the Center will become one of only two senior centers in the city that are also open on Saturdays.

All activities are open to seniors regardless of whether or not they are documented; Calderone estimates that more than one-third of the seniors who come there on a regular basis are undocumented. The majority of the low-income senior population it services is part of the county’s general assistance program, although a few are on Social Security. Five percent of the population is comprised of homeowners, but most of the rest live in senior buildings in the neighborhood. Ninety-five percent of those who come in are monolingual Spanish speakers.

“It’s a very homelike atmosphere,” says Calderone, which is important given that many of the seniors who utilize the Center’s services are removed from families that live either out of state or even out of the country.

The Mission Neighborhood Center was started in 1959 in an old Boys and Girls Club building which has historic landmark status. It is one of 13 buildings the Mission Neighborhood Center operates throughout San Francisco and includes the organization’s administrative offices and a Headstart Program in addition to the senior’s program.