Christmas celebration brings Latino and Chinese seniors together
United Senior Center of Sunset Park held a Christmas celebration on Dec. 19, with food, live music and singing performances, bringing holiday cheer to the elders who come regularly to the center to share meals, exercise and meet friends.
Most members at the center are Latino, and much of the conversation during the event was in Spanish. But in a quieter corner of the room, several Chinese seniors sat together as well. Even as the two groups spoke different languages, they shared the same space and the same afternoon, welcoming Christmas together.
A warm holiday atmosphere for seniors
On the day of the event, the senior center was decorated for Christmas, with festive touches throughout the room and red tablecloths laid out across the tables. With guidance from staff, many seniors wore red sweaters and holiday Santa hats. As Luis Olivo & His Trio played music, people stood up from their seats and began dancing along to the beat.
Children from the nonprofit LEAP NYC performed several Christmas songs, becoming one of the highlights of the afternoon. The crowd responded with applause, and many seniors raised their phones to record the lively, warm moment.
“We arranged a DJ and live entertainment, which are not part of the center’s usual schedule, and that is one of the ways this celebration is different from an ordinary day,” said Aiyana Blanco-Hernandez, the center’s deputy director. “We had music and raffles, and Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus handed out candy and raffle tickets to make the event even more festive.”
Blanco-Hernandez said the celebration was planned by the center’s executive director, Grisel Amador, working closely with staff to ensure everything ran smoothly. She said events like this matter, helping seniors feel less isolated and giving them a place to socialize and build stronger connections.
She added that some seniors are unable to celebrate the holidays with family, so the center tries to create a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Beyond Christmas, the center also celebrates Lunar New Year and cultural holidays and independence days from different countries.
Daily companionship across languages
Lei, 75, immigrated to New York more than 40 years ago and has long lived in Sunset Park. After retiring a few years ago, she often exercised in the park, until about a year ago, when she and two friends decided to start coming to United together. Now they play mahjong and practice tai chi at the center, coming four or five days a week as part of their routine.
Lei (left) says one of her favorite activities at the senior center is playing mahjong with friends. Photo by Jie E
“I like Christmas, the atmosphere here is good,” Lei said. Although most seniors at the center are Latino, and the Chinese seniors often keep to themselves, she said the two groups see each other so often that they have become familiar. “Every day we say a simple hello, like ‘hi’ and ‘how are you.’ Those we can do.”
Liang, 91, said one of his favorite things to do at the center is play cards with friends. “I walk here every day, sit for a while, rest a bit, listen to music, do some exercise,” he said. Asked about his secret to longevity, he smiled: “Just be happy every day.”
Henry Huang is the only instructor at the center who can teach in Chinese. Two days a week, he teaches English and computer classes to seniors and has been doing so for three years. He said the space is larger than some other senior centers, which can make it feel calmer and less disruptive.
Huang added that the overall environment is friendly, and seniors of different backgrounds are able to share the space. Even when communication is limited, he said, the most important thing is mutual respect. “They can’t always communicate in their first language, or in English, but the atmosphere is very friendly.”