Inspiring Stories

Meet the New Center Manager: Cesar Mendez Rijo

By Pamela Hugi Saturday, October 14, 2023 6 Comments Share This:

In January, Senior Planet will be opening a brand-new center located in Miami! To celebrate, we caught up with Cesar Mendez Rijo, the Center Manager in Miami, all about his hopes and dreams for the new location.

When he’s not at work, you can find Cesar volunteering with Habitat for Humanity or going out dancing (he loves merengue, salsa, bachata!) with friends.

What’s your relationship to Miami?

I was born in the Dominican Republic but moved to Miami in 2005. I grew up here! It’s the place I consider to be home.

What do people have to look forward to at the new Senior Planet center in Miami?

So much! We’re going to have a recording studio, a computer lab, virtual reality devices and more. Sometimes older people will think that that certain technology isn’t “for them.” I’m excited to help regain control of the narrative and say, “No – this is for you.”

What are some of your hopes for this new Center?

I’m an immigrant and Miami, in general, is a big city of immigrants. So I’m excited for people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn about tech to be able experience that.

I also hope that people are able to find community amongst each other at the Center. I hope that they are able to be themselves, be playful and explore life as an older person without any judgment.

For people from different backgrounds and different cultures, it will be a place where they can be themselves.

What language will the new Senior Planet center in Miami offer classes?

We’ll be offering classes in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole – a first for Senior Planet!

What does our motto “Aging with Attitude” mean to you?

To take control of the power to live your life fully and with purpose.

Your Turn

Is there a trainer you think deserves a Meet the Trainer spotlight? Let us know in the comments!

Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.

COMMENTS

6 responses to “Meet the New Center Manager: Cesar Mendez Rijo”

Monica Oliva:

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 7:15am

Good morning, I’m Monica Oliva ,you can visit bettymoni.com or in Facebook bettymoni ,you can see my crafts ,I looking for a job that I love to make ,teach to other to craft, sculpting and recycling, if is possible please let me know
I’ m 59 years old and trying to improve my english
Hablo mejor en español, gracias
Espero noticias ,y les deseo lo mejor hace falta más gente como uds. que se comprometa a involucrarse y atender a los mayores

Reply to Monica Oliva
1. Cesar Mendez Rijo:
  
  Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 8:48am
  
  Buen dia, Monica,
  
  Gracias por contactarnos, estamos muy emocionados de traer a Senior Planet a Miami. Me encantaria hablar mas de como podemos coolaborar para que participes en el centro. Por favor escribeme a cmendezrijo@oats.org o me puedes llamar a 786-494-7805.
  Un placer,
  
  Cesar Mendez Rijo
  
  Reply to Cesar Mendez Rijo
Pamela Jarvis:

Monday, October 30, 2023 at 4:00am

Discussions OR CLASSES on nutrition , science, movies, theater, opera, dance, books, art, politics, philosophy, music , exercise , etc. – and for me, anything that is NOT tech would be lovely.

Reply to Pamela Jarvis
1. Cesar Mendez Rijo:
  
  Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 8:37am
  
  Hi Pamela,
  Thank you very much for reaching out. We are very excited to bring Senior Planet to Miami. Technology for us is only a tool that allows us to connect older adults to each other and to the world around them. Our impact areas touch on Health, Financial Security, Creativity and more.
  Send me an email to discuss further- cmendezrijo@oats.org; we would love to see you at the center later this month.
  Best,
  Cesar Mendez Rijo
  
  Reply to Cesar Mendez Rijo
Alexei Diaz:

Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 11:17pm

Hey would like to see if can help in any way ,I’m the director of an elderly medical center and always seeking to provide more for our patients who still feel alive and energetic and want more than just staying home and feel like life ended . I’m always thinking of new ideas and want to find out more about what is it you guys do exactly to see if can bring them over etc .

Reply to Alexei Diaz
1. Cesar Mendez Rijo:
  
  Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 8:44am
  
  Hello Alexei,
  Thank you for reaching out. Your center is exactly the demographic we want to reach. We trach technology classes based around 5 impact areas Health & Wellness, Financial Security, Creative Expression, Civic Participation and Social Engagement. Classes will be taught in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
  I would love to discuss how we can collaborate to get your members our to the center to take advantage of these programs. Email me at cmendezrijo@oats.org
  Best,
  Cesar Mendez Rijo
  
  Reply to Cesar Mendez Rijo