Toward the end of the summer, the backyard at Dawson Manor in Queens filled with color. Roughly 50 people YAI supports, staff, and family members came together for the second annual Culture Day, enjoying barbecue, games, and a whole lot of water.
Everyone showed up in clothing that represented their cultures and identities, and they came hungry. Each person was invited to bring a dish from home.
Dana Torres Contreras, an ABIS at Dawson Manor came up with the idea for the event. It grew out of a field day she hosted the year before.
"It reminded me of when I used to go to elementary school and we'd go outside, play games, and eat," she said. Field day turned out to be a great experience for team bonding and community inclusion, and it left her thinking bigger. "We thought, why don't we bring it to a regional level? That way a lot of people are able to come and join in on the fun as well."
Field day is still an annual event for Dawson Manor staff and the residents. Culture Day is what opened the doors wider, with residents from across Queens and Manhattan joining this year. "Culture Day is what brought everybody from different places together," Torres Contreras said. "It was beautiful to see."
The table told the story of who was in the yard. Family members and staff brought rasta pasta, mac and cheese, empanadas, curry chicken, curry goat, and a Spanish salad. Some families of Italian heritage brought pizza. "It wasn't just a regular barbecue," Torres Contreras said. "Everybody was able to contribute a dish from their culture, so we all get a taste of what different countries have to offer."
This year came with new entertainment. A clown company performed in black tie instead of full costume, out of consideration for anyone who might fear clowns. They spun cotton candy, made balloon art, painted faces, and put on a magic show. There were carnival games too, including a ring toss and baseball games, with tabletop versions so that people who use wheelchairs or can't easily navigate the grass could play.
The biggest hit was the new dunking game. Residents took aim at staff, and Torres Contreras says their aim was impressive. Rain moved the party indoors for a while, but once it cleared, the water balloon fight and water guns came out.
Between the games, there were reunions. Some people YAI supports had not seen each other in years. "It was really magical to see people come to find out, 'Hey, my old friend is still here,'" Torres Contreras said. "We just love the fact that they get to make those connections, make friends, and really just come together."
For Lori Cannizzaro, a resident at Dawson Manor, it came down to the simple things. "I like Culture Day because everyone got together and my family came," she said.