Diversity, equity, inclusion…Fredericka Manor Culture Club!

When Dorothy Astorga moved to Fredericka Manor in April 2023, things weren’t all sunshine and roses. “I spent a little time feeling down about the move, as it wasn’t entirely my idea,” Dorothy shared. “But my daughter, who I love and trust, told me that it was up to me what I made of my life here. Soon enough I found something that I felt called to make a difference in my new home.”

Dorothy felt like there could be more diversity among the residents and in the activities and programs available. “Getting involved seemed like a way to both make me feel better and bring something different to the community at Fredericka Manor,” Dorothy said. It was at that moment that the Culture Club was born.

One of the first Culture Club events was a traditional American hoedown with a square dance caller. “This choice was intentional, and the response from my neighbors was great. Everyone wanted to dance,” Dorothy said. “Early on, we also brought in a Navy officer who gave a lecture on the art of immortalizing heroes. It isn’t just about entertainment. It’s educational experiences and representing all backgrounds, like veterans and teachers, in addition to ethnic backgrounds. It’s important to me for the meaning to be present.”

The response from the residents has been overwhelmingly positive, and Culture Club activities have quickly become a staple of the Fredericka Manor social calendar, valued equally for the joy they bring as well as the exposure to new cultural traditions and getting to know the speakers and performers. “After a performance or lecture, the residents stick around and ask questions, giving our guests an opportunity to share more about their lives. I’m always hearing from residents, ‘I’ve never heard about this before!’”

Last October, the Culture Club celebrated el Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration.

A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is commonly celebrated on or around All Saints’ Day, November 1. A significant element of the tradition is to put photos of loved ones who have passed away on an ofrenda, or altar, as a way to encourage their souls to visit. The residents and staff embraced this tradition with their whole hearts. Members of the staff built an ofrenda for the residents, who showed up with the photos of their loved ones. “People were bringing two or three photos! We had to limit it and say there is only room for one for everyone!” Dorothy remembered with a smile. “I was so grateful to the support of the staff, especially Rhonda Hernandez, the life enrichment director at Fredericka Manor. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

“Dorothy’s dedication to start the first Culture Club at Fredericka is evident in her efforts to promote cultural understanding and appreciation,” Rhonda shared. “She actively engages with community members, listening to their experiences and advocating for their voices to be heard. The Culture Club committee and Life Enrichment department now help plan events that celebrate different cultures, inviting people to share their traditions, cuisine and art.”

Nana Hughs, a longtime Fredericka Manor resident who has worked closely with Dorothy, sees the Culture Club as being “a bit of fresh air” for the community. “We live in Chula Vista, a very multicultural area, and many Fredericka residents move here from other places that are often not as diverse,” Nana said. “We’ve been able to introduce our neighbors to other cultures, and the interest it has sparked has been great. It’s also been a lot of fun. We are very fortunate to be near so much culture, and we must take advantage and learn from it. I’m very proud of what we’ve done here.”

When Dorothy first started the Culture Club, she paid for the performers and activities out of her own pocket. As it began to pick up speed, she found generous support from Fredericka Manor Life Enrichment, the Fredericka Club, and eventually, the Foundation. “Since it wasn’t an official program at first, I was funding it myself,” Dorothy said. “When it became clear that the Culture Club was a keeper, Katie Boskoff, the chair of the Fredericka Manor Philanthropy Committee, advocated for it to receive funds from the Front Porch Communities Foundation.”

Jackie Smith, Front Porch Communities Foundation associate philanthropy officer, worked with Dorothy, Fredericka Manor Executive Director Ben Geske, and the Fredericka Manor Philanthropy Committee to allocate money from the Foundation’s Fredericka Manor Discretionary Fund for the Culture Club. The Foundation raises money for the community’s Discretionary Fund, largely from residents and family members, to support community enhancements, improving the quality of life for residents.

Building a culture where everybody belongs is one of the fundamental goals Front Porch is focused on. “Dorothy’s focus on diversity and inclusion has been greatly appreciated here at Fredericka Manor,” Ben said. “To this end, her help in the formation and running of the Culture Club here on our campus is invaluable. In order to be able to continue to offer programming that is supportive of diversity and inclusion, the Foundation’s support of the Culture Club has been equally invaluable.” “Having a fund like this shows me how committed the Foundation and Front Porch are to supporting residents who are working hard to improve their communities,” Dorothy shared. “This funding will help us continue to bring high quality activities, something I take a lot of pride in.”

The future is looking bright for the Culture Club, with many exciting festivities coming up this summer and throughout the fall. “We’re old, but we aren’t dead yet,” Dorothy said with a laugh. “There is still so much we can do. There are many days where some residents barely leave their rooms, but when we have Culture Club activities, they come out. When we had the jazz and blues band, a resident said to me, ‘Dorothy, I don’t need to take my medicine today. They made me feel younger and so much better. I almost got up and danced. I forgot I had a walker!’ Those comments are my favorite part. To see their happy faces, that makes it all worth it for me.”

Originally published in the Summer 2024 issue of Community Matters.