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Length of Service: 6 years
Employee
Spotlight
Sind Ibrahim
On Lok PACE Peralta Center
How did you come to work at On Lok: I always felt a connection to working with the elderly. I heard about On Lok through a friend who I used to work with when we were caregivers in a local convent. Working there was a wonderful experience as coincidentally, I went to the Sister of the Presentation School in Iraq as a child.
What do you like most about your job: I like to meet the participants in the morning and see their faces full of smiles!
Please share a little about you:
I like: I like to walk and listen to Arabic music.
I know: Accounting. I worked for 20 years as an accountant in my native country of Iraq, as well as several other countries, including Sudan and Jordan. Before moving to the USA in 2007, I was an accountant at the Hilton Hotel in Africa where I have been awarded Employee of the Year as part of the Accounts Payable and Pay Master departments.
I could not do without: I appreciate the support of my colleagues and the Activities Team. I'd like to give thanks and credit to them for their contributions and the success of the Peralta Center Art Show.
In my free time: I have a second job where I provide further caregiver services, including assisting elderly patients with feeding.
My superpower is: I am always excited to present the participants’ creativity.
By: Mimi Ly, Center Support Supervisor
Vibrant Celebrations Embrace Centuries-old Traditions
The On Lok PACE East San Jose Center rang in the Lunar New Year with vibrant celebrations on January 24, embracing centuries-old traditions that bring good fortune and prosperity. The DHC Caregivers and Activity Team orchestrated a festive celebration that merged traditional customs with community spirit.
Team members donned their new On Lok t-shirts in lucky red, symbolizing good fortune, joy, and prosperity in Lunar New Year traditions. The community came together for a special potluck lunch featuring traditional lucky foods and sweets, each dish carrying its symbolic meaning for the year ahead.
The highlight of the celebrations was the mesmerizing Lion Dance performance, a centuries-old tradition that remains at the heart of Lunar New Year festivities. In this dynamic cultural performance, skilled dancers bring the lion costume to life through precise, acrobatic movements. The lion, adorned with vibrant colors and mirrors to ward off evil spirits, performs a dance that combines art, athleticism, and cultural symbolism. As the lion prances, jumps and interacts with the audience, it symbolically sweeps away negative energy and ushers in good fortune for the new year.
The Year of the Snake 2025 holds special significance in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in the Snake years are said to embody wisdom, elegance, and intuition. The snake's fluid movements represent adaptability and transformation – fitting qualities to aspire to in the new year.
From all of us at the East San Jose Center, we extend our warmest wishes for a prosperous Year of the Snake filled with clarity, growth, and good fortune. As we say in different traditions:
Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Mandarin: Wishing you prosperity and wealth)
Chuc Mung Nam Moi! (Vietnamese: Happy New Year)
Kung Hei Fat Choy! (Cantonese: Congratulations and be prosperous)
The ESJ Team's celebration beautifully demonstrates how cultural traditions unite our community, creating moments of joy and connection that enrich all our lives.
Celebration of Art and Heart
By: David Ferreira, Activity Therapist
Magic happens when our staff combine their personal talent with participant passions. This month we witnessed Sind Ibramim, a caregiver, plan and orchestrate a beautiful art show.
The Start of a New Tradition
The journey began several months ago when Sind approached the Activities Team with an inspiring vision. Having collected hundreds of participants' colorful artwork, she had been taking them home to enhance them with jewels and sparkly accents – a personal touch that brought immense joy to our participants when they saw their enhanced creations.
Determined to showcase these precious pieces, Sind took complete ownership of the project. She personally purchased supplies, meticulously curated the artwork, and organized each piece by artist. Her enthusiasm was contagious – team members recall being moved by her passionate discussions during the event planning, where her deep love for our participants shone through in every detail.
The exhibition exceeded all expectations, evolving into a vibrant celebration complete with live saxophone music that sparked an impromptu dance party! The event drew participation from staff across all departments, who joined in helping participants explore the exhibition and engage in conversations about the artwork.
This heartwarming initiative exemplifies why our caregivers truly are the heartbeat of Peralta. Sind's dedication to bringing joy to our participants and her creative vision have established what we hope will become an annual tradition.
When you see Sind – or any of our dedicated caregivers – please take a moment to acknowledge their invaluable contributions. Their commitment to enriching our participants' lives makes Peralta the special place it is.
Sind's joy is found in witnessing our participants' joy – and through her dedication, she's created a beautiful way for all of us to share in that experience.
Hearts United In Red
By: Charlene Elefante, Senior Manager Community Engagement
February is American Heart Month
On February 7, the On Lok PACE East San Jose Center proudly participated in National Wear Red Day, joining the nationwide movement to raise awareness for women's heart health. Our team members showcased their support by donning red attire, creating a powerful visual reminder of this critical health issue.
The timing couldn't be more significant. While February marks American Heart Month, the first Friday holds special importance in highlighting women's cardiovascular health. It's a sobering reality that cardiovascular disease remains the leading threat to women's health, claiming more lives annually than all forms of cancer combined.
American Heart Month serves as a crucial reminder to prioritize our cardiovascular well-being. Simple yet effective lifestyle changes can make a significant difference:
Maintaining a heart-healthy diet
Engaging in regular physical activity
Implementing stress management techniques
Scheduling regular health check-ups
Early detection plays a vital role in managing heart disease. Regular medical check-ups that monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar can help identify potential issues before they become serious concerns. With heart disease continuing to be the leading cause of death for both men and women, these preventive measures are more important than ever.
For more information about heart health awareness initiatives, you can explore the National Wear Red Day Activation Guide 2025.
Together, we can make a difference in the fight against heart disease.
new hires
Fremont Admin: Shanay Carter, Caregiver 1; Adriana Diaz Jimenez, Caregiver 1; Yeraldin Pineda Sr., Caregiver 1; Jie Xiao Caregiver 1
On Lok PACE 30th Street Center: Karina Cruz, Caregiver 2
On Lok PACE Gee Center: Soo-Jung Chun, RN Lead; Te'Avian Jasper, Caregiver 1; Raymond Lee, Transportation Coordinator; Roman Torwal, Driver; Darla Worthington, Caregiver 1
On Lok PACE Peralta Center: Jhansi Menon, Physician
On Lok PACE Powell Center: Meixiao Zhong, Caregiver 1
On Lok PACE San Jose Center: Julio Rodriguez, Driver
SF Admin: Benjamin Lauing, VP Strategy & Business Planning
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