Community
Arts & Culture is a matter of social justice at Casa Familiar
BY SUSANA VILLEGAS
For Casa Familiar ,
artistic and cultural expression is a fundamental human right , especially in the underrepresented and marginalized border community of San Ysidro . “ We are a binational border community of many cultural crossroads ,” Lisa Cuestas , Casa Familiar ’ s CEO shared with GB Magazine . “ We are intentional in upholding arts and culture in our community . Supporting our cultural identity is just as important to a thriving San Ysidro as are housing , education , health and workforce development .”
On November 1 , from 5:00 p . m . to 7:00 p . m . at the San Ysidro Civic Center , Casa Familiar will continue its 15- year tradition of celebrating Día de los Muertos . Casa ’ s eight-level traditional altar will be one among many built by members of the community with objects and symbols that honor family members who have passed . “ The altars , videos , food , dance and musical performances , and children ’ s activities at our Día de los Muertos celebration
Dia de los Muertos at Casa Familiar affirms our traditions , customs , and identity as a community ,” said Francisco Morales , Director of Casa ’ s The FRONT Gallery .
Later in the month , on Thursday , November 17 , Chef Waldo Leyva of Riverside County returns to Casa Familiar and the San Ysidro Civic Center to prepare Thanksgiving meals for over 600 people . He will be one of the first to use Casa ’ s new state-of-the-art industrial kitchen made possible by a $ 75,000 grant from Supervisor Nora Vargas and the County of San Diego . “ We give thanks and show our gratitude to the community by helping food-insecure families ,” said Monica Hernandez , Development & Social Impact Officer . “ This year , we also thank Supervisor Vargas for helping to renovate a kitchen that has not been updated since the Civic Center was built in 1965 .” Casa will continue observing COVID-19 precautions and will provide meal delivery service to Casa ’ s senior population . Casa is accepting donations for its Thanksgiving Dinner at www . casafamiliar . org .
82 GBSAN . COM | OCTOBER 2022