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Washington, DC – DC’s oldest local Latino-serving organization, Vida Senior Centers (formerly EOFULA – Spanish Senior Center) celebrated 40 years yesterday with an evening of live Latin music, special community recognition, and a salsa dance tribute to the seniors. 

The special anniversary event was held Tuesday, October 27, 2009 from 6:30 – 9:30pm at the Embassy of Finland in Northwest D.C.  Ms. Nancy Alonso, Host of the Latin Flavor Show on WPFW 89.3FM was the Mistress of Ceremonies.

“We were delighted with the large showing of more than 200 friends and community leaders at our 40^th anniversary celebration,” said Mr. Angel Luis Irene, Executive Director.  “Vida Senior Centers cherishes its abuelitos (seniors), and during these tough economic times, our seniors need our help even more.  We appreciate all the support for the growing needs of our low-income Latino seniors.”

During the celebration, the organization honored the following members of the community with an “Unsung Hero Award”:  Ms. Rosa Randjelovic, Vida Senior Centers Staff Member; Mr. Steven Masterman, Vida Senior Centers Board Member; Mr. Ezequiel Williams, D.C. Office on Latino Affairs; Ms. Danielle Reyes, DC HIP Collaborative; Ms. Mercedes Lemp, D.C. Office on Latino Affairs; and Mr. Mario Acosta-Velez, Verizon DC.

"I am honored to receive an Unsung Hero Award from Vida Senior Centers," said Mercedes Lemp, Director, D.C. Office on Latino Affairs. "Vida Senior Centers has a long history of successfully caring for our aging Hispanic seniors, and I know that their level of care and capacity will continue to grow with support from the community and our local and national government."

The special 40^th anniversary event recognized the organization’s past accomplishments and its promising future. Photo displays highlighted Vida Senior Centers’ plans to expand and adapt to meet the needs of the growing senior population by building a second center in the N.W. Brightwood community.

"I greatly appreciate the honor given to me by Vida Senior Centers at their 40th Anniversary Celebration," said Mario Acosta-Velez,  "I, personally, along with the company I work for, Verizon DC, have long been a supporter of the great work Vida Senior Centers does in the local Latino senior community.  I look forward to seeing their future successes, including the construction of a brand-new center to house and care for multicultural seniors in the Brightwood community."

Vida Senior Centers’ 40th Anniversary Celebration was graciously sponsored by the following companies:  Verizon DC, Verizon Wireless, Clark Construction, Kaiser Permanente, Dantes Partners, Silver Companies, Éxito Marketing & Communications, AARP, and Capital Wire PR.

About Vida Senior Centers

Vida Senior Centers (formerly EOFULA) is a non-profit organization with a multipurpose service center serving primarily low-income Latino seniors in Washington, DC.  Vida Senior Centers is the oldest non-profit organization serving Latinos in Washington, DC. 

For more information, visit: www.vidaseniorcenters.org

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