LOCAL

CJ Extra: LULAC creates community for senior citizens

Carolyn Kaberline
Special to The Capital-Journal
Patrons of the Topeka LULAC Senior Center dance to the tunes of the Chip Cushinberry Blues Duo.

Since its founding in Texas in 1929, LULAC has been a force for good in the Hispanic community.

The Topeka branch offers numerous programs “to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health, and civil rights of the Hispanic population in the greater Topeka area.” These programs and initiatives have helped with current issues, such as immigration, civil rights, federal employment and civic participation, to name just a few.

Michael Martinez, president of Topeka LULAC, and Kathy Votaw, executive director of the Topeka LULAC Senior Center, answered questions about the organization and its mission.

Could you give a little history of LULAC — especially LULAC Topeka and its mission?

Martinez: The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) was founded in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1929. My favorite part of the founding history concerned the “Little School of the 400,” an educational project developed in Texas by LULAC during the 1950s. It sought to teach Spanish-speaking preschool children a vocabulary of 400 English words so they could overcome the language barrier and successfully complete the first grade. LULAC argued that these preschoolers would not have to repeat first grade, fall behind their classmates, become discouraged, and drop out of the education system at an alarming rate. Texas Sen. Lyndon Johnson was so impressed by this project that when he became president and implemented the National Head Start Program, it embodied the concept of the original Little School. LULAC went on to lend their resources and expertise to help found the American GI Forum and The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF).

Keep in mind that when the United States annexed a third of Mexico’s territory following the Mexican War, nearly 77,000 Mexicans became U.S. citizens (according to the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo). Yet, in many cases, Mexican Americans were not allowed to learn English, could not own property and were unable to pay voting taxes. Thus, they were disenfranchised. The territory ceded to the United States included land that would become the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, southwestern Colorado and southwestern Wyoming.

In the fall of 1971, Ascension Hernandez and John Mendoza convened a group of 10 people at the Washburn University Catholic Campus Center to provide information about the aims and purpose of LULAC. Eventually 21 community members petitioned for LULAC membership, and in October of 1971, the LULAC National Council approved Topeka LULAC Council 11071 as an affiliate, with Mike Marmolejo as president. The mission of the Topeka Council reflects that of LULAC National: to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health, and civil rights of the Hispanic population in the greater Topeka area.

In the mid 1970s, Ascension Hernandez, John Mendoza, and Dolly Gonzales sensed a need to serve the growing population of seniors in the local community. This senior camaraderie and fellowship outgrew the basement of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and moved on to Casa Juan Diego, culminating in the formation of what is now known as (a separate entity) the Topeka LULAC Senior Center. The senior center has its own budget, its own board of directors, and its own mission. Almost simultaneously, Topeka LULAC members Hazel and Robert Gomez addressed the need for affordable housing and formed a partnership with the Topeka Chapter of the America GI Forum. Thus, the Topeka LULAC Council and the Topeka Chapter of the GI Forum established La Colonia, a housing development (under HUD guidelines) for the low income, disabled, and elderly in the Oakland community of the city.

Where is LULAC located?

Martinez: The Topeka LULAC Council does not have a stand-alone building; our mailing address is Topeka LULAC Council 11071, P.O. Box 652, Topeka, KS 66601. Prior to the disruption of COVID-19, the council met on the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the LULAC Senior Center, 1502 N.E. Seward Ave. We hope to restart our monthly council meetings in the fall of 2020. The public is invited to attend our meetings and interest in LULAC membership can be addressed to the above P.O. Box, or you can email me at marinecorpvet@hotmail.com.

I believe LULAC also sponsors several events. Could you list a few of these?

Martinez: Currently, our major fundraiser (the Topeka LULAC SweetHeart Dance) is in limbo due to the curtailment of large gatherings. Like most other organizations, we will have to evaluate our status and offerings, and like most other organizations, we are not going away. We just have to learn to be flexible, adjust and adapt.

The LULAC Senior Center seems to be very popular. Could you tell us a little about this center and its offerings?

Votaw: Although we share the same name, the Topeka LULAC Senior Center is an entirely different entity from the LULAC Council (which is not a nonprofit). We have our own board of directors, and operate under our own 501(c)(3) status, policy, and guidelines. We are located at 1502 N.E. Seward, the only full-time senior center in Topeka operating Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. There are no fees to come to the center. We are funded in part by Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, City of Topeka, Kansas Department of Transportation, private/local foundation grants and Shawnee County Advocacy on Aging, private donations and have many community partnerships, Walmart, Frito Lay, Advisors Excel, Goodyear — just to name a few.

You will find pictures on our Facebook page as we have about 1,600 followers who keep an eye on us here, and we also have a website www.topekalulacseniorcenter.com. We have 289 active seniors ranging from age 60 to 90 who are involved with many of our activities and up until COVID-19 happened, we had approximately 30 to 35 a day who attended the center. We offer a variety of on-site and off-site activities including senior computer classes, cooking and nutrition classes, special speakers, community events, flu shot clinics and much more. We provided transportation for those who are no longer driving so they will not be isolated at home. Our monthly calendar is on both Facebook and our website. We are a congregate Meals on Wheels site, partner with K-State Shawnee County Extension for our nutrition classes, and Washburn (Institute of Technology) as well. We have our own full-size greenhouse and plant a community garden each year.

Anything else you would like to add?

Martinez: We cordially invite everyone, and especially the younger generation, to become involved with our organization.

Oh, one more note: the La Colonia board is made up of four members from the Topeka LULAC Council, four members from the Topeka Chapter of the American GI Forum, and one member from the community at large. We are currently seeking someone to fill the community at large position. This board meets every other month on the third Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the community room of La Colonia, 331 N.E. Golden.

Tucky Eatman, left, and Chip Cushinberry, the Chip Cushinberry Blues Duo, perform at the Topeka LULAC Senior Center.