In July, The GateHouse hosted its inaugural Annual Cultural Event, a day filled with vibrant cultural expressions, delicious food, and community bonding.
The event, held at Long’s Park under Pavilion One, was much more than a typical gathering. It represented The GateHouse’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within its community. It was also the result of months of planning and collaboration among dedicated staff, all driven by a shared vision of creating a space where everyone, from clients to staff to local residents, could come together and celebrate their unique backgrounds.
The Inspiration Behind the Event
The idea for the Cultural Event was born from The GateHouse’s DEI strategic plan, spearheaded by Verlina Velasquez-Millings, the Director of Compliance and DEI Coordinator.
The event was one of several goals identified during the development of the strategic plan, Verlina said.
“We started by collecting data through surveys and focus groups across the organization,” she said. “These insights helped us create a plan that would promote diversity and inclusivity within The GateHouse. The cultural event was one of the key goals, and it was exciting to see it come to life.”
The cultural event was particularly significant because it marked the first time The GateHouse organized something of this scale focused exclusively on celebrating cultural diversity.
The DEI Committee, which Verlina oversees, played a central role in the event’s planning and execution. The committee consists of roughly seven staff members, each volunteering their personal time.
Each member of the committee selected a culture to represent, bringing together foods, decorations, and experiences that would showcase the distinctiveness of that culture. This personal connection to the cultures represented added an authentic and heartfelt element to the event.
Planning and Preparation
Planning an event of this magnitude, especially when it’s the first of its kind, comes with its challenges, but Verlina said the DEI Committee approached the task with enthusiasm and a collaborative spirit.
Mariah Milani, Intake Supervisor at The GateHouse and a key member of the DEI Committee highlighted the importance of making the event inclusive.
“We wanted to create a safe space for our clients, staff, and the community to come together,” Mariah said. “It was important to us that everyone felt welcome, regardless of their background or role at The GateHouse.”
Those taking responsibility for a specific culture took great care to represent that culture well, Verlina said.
“Mariah, for example, handled the Italian food table, getting food from a local restaurant and decorating the table to reflect Italian culture,” Verlina said. “I took on the Spanish and Mexican food tables. We also had an Indian food table, a Soul food table, and a Chinese food table, each carefully curated by our committee members.”
The event was held at Long’s Park, a spacious and scenic location that provided the perfect backdrop for a day of cultural celebration. Pavilion One, where the event took place, offered ample space for the various activities and tables, and the weather cooperated wonderfully, making it a perfect day to be outdoors.
It was held on a Friday, made open to the public, and a variety of attendees came, including clients and staff of The GateHouse and their families.
A Day of Connection and Celebration
The event itself was a vibrant display of cultural diversity and each table offered an opportunity to not only sample different food, but also learn about different cultures. This educational aspect was an important goal for the DEI Committee, as they wanted the event to be both fun and informative.
In addition to the food, the event featured a range of activities designed to engage attendees and create a sense of community. One of the highlights was a pottery painting station, where a local business owner set up a table with ceramic pieces for attendees to paint. This interactive activity was a hit, especially among the clients who enjoyed the creative outlet. The pieces were later fired in a kiln and returned, so participants left with a lasting memento from the event.
Music also played a central role in setting the tone for the day.
“We played a mix of songs that everyone could enjoy,” Mariah said. “We had some of the classic ‘wedding’ songs, like the Cha Cha Slide, which got people up and dancing. It was great to see everyone, from clients to staff to community members, dancing together and having a good time.”
The Impact on Recovery and Community Integration
One of the key goals of the Cultural Event was to support the recovery journey of The GateHouse clients. Many of the clients are in early recovery, and events like this provide a valuable opportunity to engage in healthy, sober activities.
“A lot of our clients came from environments where social activities often involved alcohol or other substances,” Mariah said. “This event showed them that they can have fun, connect with others, and enjoy life without those things.”
The event also provided a unique opportunity for clients to see our staff in a different light.
“At The GateHouse, we have to be serious and focused when we’re at work, but this event allowed us to interact with clients in a more relaxed setting,” Mariah said. “It was great to see clients, staff, and even alumni of our programs mingling and enjoying the day together.”
For the community, the event served as an important reminder of the role The GateHouse plays in supporting those on their recovery journey. By opening the event to the public, The GateHouse was able to engage with people who might not be familiar with our work.
“There were people in the park who stopped by because they were curious about what we were doing,” Mariah noted. “It was a great opportunity to share information about our programs and the resources we offer.”
A Collaborative Effort
The success of the Cultural Event was truly a group effort, with volunteers and staff playing an important role in making it happen. Mariah shared how each member of the DEI Committee took on specific responsibilities, from managing the different cultural tables to overseeing logistics like music, drinks, and decorations.
“We all had our roles,” she said. “Some of us focused on gathering estimates for the food, others on setting up and decorating the tables, and some on organizing the music and activities. It was a real team effort, and everyone’s contributions were vital to the event’s success.”
One of the standout moments of the day was the spontaneous dancing that broke out among the attendees.
“At one point, people just started dancing,” Verlina said. “We put on the electric slide, and it wasn’t something we had planned, but it happened organically, which was really nice to see. It showed how comfortable and connected everyone felt.”
The event also allowed The GateHouse to involve the clients in a meaningful way. Clients participated by helping with setup, decorating flags representing different countries, and even assisting with the day’s activities.
Future Plans for the Cultural Event
The success of the first Annual Cultural Event has set the stage for future events. Both Verlina and Mariah are excited about the possibilities for next year and beyond, with plans to build on the strong foundation laid this year.
“We’re already thinking about ways to expand and improve the event,” Verlina said. “One of the key changes we’re considering is holding the event on a Saturday instead of a Friday. This year, we noticed that having it on a weekday limited attendance, particularly from the broader community. By moving it to a weekend, we hope to make it more accessible to everyone.”
The DEI Committee is already brainstorming ways to enhance the event’s entertainment and engagement offerings, as well.
“This year, we focused on laying the groundwork with food and some casual activities,” Mariah said. “But next year, we want to take it up a notch. We’re thinking about bringing in live music, perhaps a local band or a step team, to create a more dynamic atmosphere. We also want to include more structured activities that can engage people of all ages.”
Another area of focus for the future is increasing the involvement of the clients in the event’s planning and execution.
“Our clients were a big part of this year’s event, and we’d love to see them take on an even more active role next time,” Mariah explained. “Whether it’s helping to prepare some of the food, creating more of the décor, or even leading some of the activities, their participation is vital to making the event feel like a true community effort.”
Verlina and Mariah also emphasized the importance of continuing to build partnerships with local businesses and community members.
“This year, we had great support from local restaurants and a pottery business, but we know there’s potential to involve even more community partners,” Verlina said. “By working together with local businesses, we can showcase the diversity of our community and create an event that truly reflects the rich cultural tapestry of our area.”
A Tradition in the Making
As The GateHouse looks ahead to future events, it’s clear that the Annual Cultural Event has the potential to become a beloved tradition, not only within The GateHouse community but also in the wider Lancaster area.
“This event was about more than just having a good time,” Mariah said. “It was about showing our clients that they are part of a larger community that supports them, and it was about showing the community that recovery is possible and something worth celebrating.”
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