Media Advisory
FOR DEC. 11, 2013
Contact: Khanh Weinberg (408) 921-0098
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Similar to fast-food workers who are waging a campaign to earn decent wages, Santa Clara County’s more-than-15,000 home care providers barely make enough to get by. Their work is not very visible to the public, but thousands of lives are entrusted in their care and their services allow clients to live independently, and with dignity, at home.
In-Home Supportive Services providers will hold a candlelight vigil at county headquarters on Wednesday, Dec. 11. at 4 p.m. to call on the county to support home care workers and their efforts to provide Quality Care @ Home.
The state’s population is aging and the need for in-home care will only grow in the future. Today, Santa Clara County has about 200,000 individuals who are over 65 years old. By 2030, that’s going to double to be more than 1 in 5 residents. Santa Clara County has identified transportation and home health to be two of the most pressing needs for this segment of the population.
“The county needs to put the community first and support its home care program to ensure the most vulnerable population receives quality care at home,” said Yong Soung, who provides care for her niece with disabilities.
Joining the home care workers will be local leaders of faith and elected officials including Assemblymember Paul Fong, Campbell Mayor Evan Low and representatives from the offices of State Sen. Jim Beall and Rep. Mike Honda.
WHAT: Home Care workers hold candlelight vigil for Quality Care @ Home
WHEN: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013
WHERE: 70 W. Hedding St., San Jose
VISUALS: More than 100 workers perform song
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The Service Employees International Union is an organization of 2.1 million members united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide. SEIU is dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society. For more information, visit www.seiu521.org
