Days before The GateHouse held its third annual cultural event, it wasn’t clear whether the gathering would happen at all.
Severe storms had swept through Lancaster County, leaving residents without power and bringing down trees throughout Long’s Park. Debris blocked the park entrance, the traffic light wasn’t working, and the park remained closed as late as the Tuesday before the event.
But by Wednesday, July 8, the park had reopened. And The GateHouse was ready for its event that Friday.
Despite the storm damage, oppressive heat, and a smaller-than-expected public turnout, clients, families, staff members, and community guests came together for an afternoon filled with food, art, music, dancing, and fellowship.
“It did not matter what was popping up. We were going to put this event on,” said Samson Arnold, case manager at The GateHouse’s Women’s House. “We kept thinking positively and remained hopeful about what was ahead.”
That determination reflected something larger than the event itself.
“To me, it reflects our mission of restoring the human spirit through recovery,” Samson said. “As a person in recovery, I know the goal is to have hope that you can make it one more day. This entire event captures that.”
Eight Tables, Countless Connections
Food once again served as the heart of the cultural celebration.
Eight tables introduced attendees to dishes representing a variety of cultures and traditions, including Mexican, Spanish fusion, Chinese, Nepalese, Ethiopian, soul food, Vietnamese and Pennsylvania Dutch desserts.
For Samson, food carries deeply personal meaning. His wife is from Malaysia, and sharing meals has long been an important part of his cross-cultural family.
“Food is a really big part of my life,” he said. “The experience of sharing eight different cuisines with a group of people is an awesome thing. You don’t see other treatment centers in this area doing something like this.”
Samson was especially drawn to the Ethiopian table. During his time at Messiah University, he developed close friendships with international students, including students from Ethiopia who introduced him to injera, the fermented flatbread traditionally used to serve and eat a meal.
“Having that food there was a trip down memory lane,” he said. “It brought back memories of my friends and the way they described their homes.”
The other tables inspired similarly enthusiastic reactions. Linda Colon, billing supervisor at The GateHouse, had trouble choosing among the Chinese, soul food, and dessert tables, while Lori Klinedinst, program assistant for The GateHouse, selected the soul food table as her favorite. The Pennsylvania Dutch cheesecake proved especially popular, as did the fried fish served at the soul food table.
Yet the purpose extended beyond determining which dishes drew the longest lines. The event encouraged clients and guests to try unfamiliar foods and use those experiences to begin conversations.
“You get to see clients say, ‘I’ve never had that before,’ and then try it and realize how good it is,” Samson said. “They start talking with one another, and their families come and share in the experience. That expression of culture is important.”
Something for Everyone
Although food may have been the main attraction, it was only one part of the afternoon.
Clients participated in The GateHouse’s annual art competition, with an award recipient representing each inpatient location. Guests also contributed messages of hope to a community door that will be installed at an outpatient facility as a permanent part of The GateHouse.
The project gave participants an opportunity to leave behind words of encouragement for others who may need them during their own recovery journeys.
A performance by the Hooley School of Irish Dance brought the audience together as dancers of different ages demonstrated their skills. Attendees stopped what they were doing and focused on the performance, creating one of the afternoon’s most memorable moments.
Children enjoyed a piñata and face painting, while families, clients, and staff members captured memories at a photo booth. Music and dancing continued throughout the event, although the extreme heat prevented a planned volleyball tournament from getting underway.
Time to Simply Be Together
The event also provided something that can be difficult to find amid the responsibilities of operating a 24-hour treatment organization: time for clients, families, and staff members to enjoy one another’s company without the usual routines of the day.
“We work really hard throughout the year to put this event together,” Linda said. “When the day arrives, it is nonstop from the moment we begin setting up until it’s over. But in the end, seeing everyone dance, laugh, eat, and fellowship makes it all worth it.”
For staff members, that meant an opportunity to talk, laugh, catch up, and simply be present.
“It is one of the few events we have where we can all do that,” Linda said. “We don’t have to think about work. We can just be in the moment.”
Lori, who is relatively new to The GateHouse, experienced the cultural celebration for the first time this year. What stood out most was the way the team worked together to create an environment where everyone felt welcome.
“The GateHouse has such a great team,” she said. “I loved seeing the way everybody came together, communicated, and put on the event. Everyone was so accepting.”
Building on Three Years of Growth
The event’s organizers are already considering how the celebration can continue to grow.
Holding next year’s event on a Saturday could make it easier for working clients, former clients, family members, and community guests to attend. This year, most of the men at one GateHouse location were working full time, limiting how many could participate on a weekday.
Although their absence affected attendance, it also reflected meaningful progress toward independence and successful participation in the community.
A Saturday gathering could create additional opportunities for clients to spend time with their families in a safe and celebratory setting.
“There are not always many opportunities for clients to have that kind of intentional family interaction during treatment,” Samson said. “Events like this allow clients and their families to experience love, support, and companionship while celebrating the work the client is doing.”
After navigating storm damage, uncertainty, and extreme heat, The GateHouse’s third annual cultural event ultimately became a celebration of far more than food. It demonstrated what can happen when people respond to difficult circumstances with flexibility, cooperation, and hope.
“Recovery is never easy,” Samson said. “What matters is continuing to believe you can move forward.”
On July 10, The GateHouse community did exactly that … together.
The GateHouse is here for you, whether you need outpatient support, transitional living, or residential extended care programs. If you’re looking for help now, give us a call at 717-393-3215 or reach out to us today to get started.
