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Vida Senior Centers is the oldest non-profit organization serving Latinos in Washington, DC. The organization took on its current name in 2009 after thoughtful reflection upon its mission and vision. The Educational Organization for United Latin Americans, or EOFULA as it was previously known, was created in 1969 by Carlos Rosario and a group of fellow Washington, DC Latino leaders to assist the local Latino community to overcome cultural, economic, social and language barriers. In 1974, EOFULA established the Spanish Senior Center and became the first Latino organization in Washington, DC to specialize in providing bilingual, bicultural services and programs to meet the unique needs of the aging Latino community.

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Vida Receives
Community
Service Award
From the United
Planning Organization

January 18, 2009

Vida's seniors attended a special breakfast and ceremony, hosted by Vida sponsor the United Planning Organization, where the organization received the Community Service Award. Vida’s Executive Director expressed his gratitude in his remarks to receive the award on Vida’s behalf. This event recognized the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and the inspiring leadership of Dr. King in the effort to achieve equality and opportunity to all minority groups and marginalized populations. It was a great honor for Vida staff and participants to be recognized at this important annual event.

National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Recognizes VIDA’s Seniors

for

Adopting Healthy Lifestyles

December 18, 2009

At a Vida’s annual Christmas celebration, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health recognized over 25 seniors for adopting healthy habits and realizing positive health results through participation in Vida’s health and wellness activities. The National Alliance for Hispanic Health is a key partner in Vida’s health programming design to help seniors self-manage and prevent chronic diseases.

The seniors were delighted to receive a certificate in their honor. The ceremony was followed by dancing, singing and gift giving. Thank you to the National Alliance for Hispanic Health for making the holidays bright for our senior participants!

DC’s Oldest Local Latino Organization, Vida Senior Centers
(Formerly EOFULA)

Celebrates 40 Years with Family, Friends, Community

Embassy of Finland played host to a fun evening of live Latin music, salsa dance show

and “Unsung Hero” community awards

October 27, 2009

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.

VIDA Receives

Community-Based Organization Award

October 6 and 7, 2009

The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) will recognize Vida Senior Center’s contributions to the Hispanic community with the Community-Based Organization Award, to be presented October 6 and 7 at NHCOA’s Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

“The Community-Based Organization Award is presented to a non-profit organization that has demonstrated excellence and innovation in addressing healthcare and other issues of concern in their community. Their services must have been consistently delivered in accord with the highest standards of care and the best culturally- and linguistically-appropriate practices.”

NHCOA is the premier national organization dedicated to the health and well-being of Hispanic seniors, and has been a gracious supporter and essential partner in Vida’s health promotion activities. We are honored to accept this award from this prestigious organization.

VIDA receives grant from

Latino Community

Development Grant from the

Office of Latino Affairs

September, 2009

The Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs will award Vida Senior Centers the Community Development grant to fund English for Independent Living (EIL) Educational Program during Fiscal Year 2010. The goal of the EIL is to improve and maintain Latino seniors’ survival English skills and proficiency in order to reduce cultural isolation and help Latino seniors address the unique challenges they face in mainstream society. With this grant, Vida will add an additional an online component to our English literacy program for seniors wanting to improve their English through independent study.

Hispanics in Philanthropy Grant Award

July, 2009

VIDA was awarded a grant from Hispanics in Philanthropy to support our fundraising and communications activities in fiscal year 2010. The support of Hispanics in Philanthropy in 2009 helped Vida to carry out our re-branding process. In the coming year, Hispanics in Philanthropy’s generous gift will allow VIDA to present this fresh face of the organization as we expand and diversify our fundraising base. These development

activities are essential to VIDA’s ability to serve the growing senior population.

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