For more than 50 years, the La Jolla Community Center has provided a place for senior citizens and other adults to be entertained, educated and active.
Nancy Walters, the center’s executive director the past 14 years, provided some insights into the venue’s past, present and future.
Q: How and when did the La Jolla Community Center begin?
A. The La Jolla Community Center, originally The Riford Center, was established in 1972 by community leader and philanthropist Florence Riford [the namesake for La Jolla’s public library]. Her vision was to create a space for active adults to play bridge and socialize.
The center was due to close in 2007 when funds had been depleted, but community saw the value in what a center like this could offer and they formed a nonprofit.
As an organization, they raised funds to keep the doors open and make much-needed renovations. Since then, the center has become an institution in the community and offers opportunities for adults and seniors to continue learning, connect with others and engage in meaningful activities. The center was renamed the La Jolla Community Center in 2012 and continues to honor Florence Riford’s legacy today.
Q: How would you describe the Community Center’s mission?
A. Our mission is to provide programs and services that promote lifelong learning, wellness and friendship among adults and seniors. The center is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for adults and seniors by offering enriching classes and community programs that encourage socialization. Seniors are the fastest-growing population, yet senior programs and services are limited and the least funded, locally and nationally. At LJCC, we believe that every senior deserves to feel valued, included and empowered.
Q. What makes it unique compared with similar organizations?
A. What sets the La Jolla Community Center apart is that we are a nonprofit organization with an intentional focus on successful aging and cultivating social connections among our seniors through high-quality programming. We combine educational and social opportunities, wellness and the arts, like our signature Fourth Friday Jazz Series and Opera Wednesdays, in a warm and inclusive environment. Our often describe the center as their “home away from home.”
Q. What’s new with the Community Center that you want everyone to know about?
A. We’re expanding our offerings in exciting ways, including new wellness workshops, cooking classes with seasonal and cultural themes, programs that focus on socialization, and community events like our Mother’s Day Tea Party and Friendship Circle. This new program, led by our board Chief Executive Officer Ruth Yansick, encourages seniors to meet and have coffee, cook together, share travel stories, have lunch around town and overall socialize.
I’ve also overseen over $2 million in capital improvements to our building, including numerous renovations that have enhanced both functionality and aesthetics. Our most recent project — the transformation of our courtyard —features new sliding doors around the entire perimeter, new shade sails and umbrellas and refinished furniture, creating a more inviting and flexible outdoor space for gatherings and events.
We also recently received a transformative $1.5 million bequest from longtime er Jacquie Woods, which will help us sustain and grow our programs for years to come. As a nonprofit, we depend on the generosity of individuals and organizations. Gifts large or small mean the world to us and a great cause.
Q. What are some of the Community Center’s offerings and who can use the center?
A. The center offers a wide range of programs, including yoga, bridge and mahjong, language and art classes, lectures, live music concerts (jazz, opera, classical and more) and culinary events. These programs are curated with the interests and needs of older adults in mind and are open to both and guests.
We offer annual hips that include many benefits: free classes, discounted programs and invitations to exclusive events. Whether you’re looking for fitness, enrichment or friendship, there’s something here for you.
We also rent out our facility for private events and work with many community organizations to host their programs.
The La Jolla Community Center is at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. One- and two-year hip prices range from $120 to $900. For more information, email [email protected], call 858-459-0831 or visit ljcommunitycenter.org.
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