Category: Uncategorized

Thirty women and men are waiting for Iona’s free Farmer’s Market to open at our Active Wellness Program at St. Alban’s, which offers a nutritious lunch and diverse activities to older adults in the neighborhood and beyond. Leading their line with her reusable bags in tow is Lakshmi Hettihewa.

Lakshmi Hettihewa has been a huge fan of the Active Wellness Program at St. Alban’s since she first decided to check it out last summer. The timing, says Lakshmi, was meant to be. “Last year, my doctor ordered a glucose blood test, and she discovered that I’m on the borderline for high blood sugar. I was so panicky and upset. I needed to make some changes.”

For Lakshmi, that meant exercising more and paying closer attention to her diet. The Active Wellness Program at St. Alban’s was able to help with both.

“I love Dr. Eileen’s exercise program and the yoga. Then, I came to know the Farmer’s Market and my whole world opened up. I simply, simply love the program,” Lakshmi says.

A native of Sri Lanka, Lakshmi was accustomed to eating mostly rice with only a few vegetables or some protein. But after learning of her high blood sugar, she knew that she needed to eat more greens. The cost of this change, however, was worrying to Lakshmi. “Fresh produce, and high-quality especially, is expensive,” she explains. “I would not be eating this many vegetables if not for your market.”

In addition to getting access to fresh and local produce — for free — Lakshmi also praises the educational aspect of the Farmer’s Market and, in particular, Ashlea Steiner, Iona’s Food Access Coordinator.

“Ms. Steiner is inspiring,” Lakshmi says. “She’s introduced us to new produce and makes it interesting and exciting. I had never had kale before the market, and now I’m hooked!”

Now, after nearly a year participating in Iona’s Active Wellness Program at St. Alban’s, Lakshmi feels healthier and has even lost some weight. And her blood sugar? “After six months, it has declined,” says Lakshmi proudly. “You have expanded my world to include fruits and vegetables. Thank you to Iona and to Ms. Steiner for this positive experience.”

I’m a fighter. We’re going to turn this thing around or die trying. That’s just how I’m built.

An only child, Sergio Rozzelle does everything to support his mother, Margaret. Three years ago, friends and neighbors started noticing a change in Margaret’s behavior. “She started having symptoms of dementia and some friends reached out to me and said, ‘I think you need to come back home,’” says Sergio, who had previously lived in Atlanta, GA for 24 years.

At first, Sergio commuted back- and-forth from Atlanta to DC every few weeks. Then, as his mother’s symptoms progressed, it became clear that a move was necessary. “I had this decision: do I move her to Atlanta or do I move here,” Sergio recalls.

A trial-run in Atlanta, however, revealed just how difficult a move would be. “I flew her down to Atlanta for Thanksgiving, and it was an ordeal,” says Sergio. “And even when she was with me, she was not happy. I could see the symptoms were much more prominent because she wasn’t in familiar surroundings. She was confused. There was no way.”

So, in December 2014, Sergio left Atlanta. “I just dropped everything and moved up here,” he says.

Once in DC, Sergio’s fight for his mother’s care only deepened. “I have no reverse,” he says. “I’m going to do anything I can if it helps.”

For Sergio, that meant getting his mom to Iona’s Active Wellness Program at St. Alban’s.

Sergio first learned about our program from Vivian Harris, a family friend who worked for Iona. It seemed like a great fit for his mom. The only problem — Margaret refused to go.

“Mom was not interested in coming at all,” Sergio says. “It was like pulling teeth.”

But, Vivian had the perfect solution: why not frame the program as going to work? “The whole idea was that mom would be going to work with Vivian to help others,” says Sergio. Margaret agreed to go with Vivian, and immediately fell in love with our program, and manager Courtney Tolbert. “Mom really, really loves Courtney. Courtney is absolutely amazing. She treats everybody, every single person, with the care and personal touch and interaction that they need.”

That first visit was nearly two years ago.

Today, Margaret attends the Active Wellness Program at St. Alban’s every day. “I drive her myself and we live all the way out in Southwest DC, but she’s attached to this program. She just loves it,” says Sergio. “It’s made her feel good about herself again. She’s not just sitting around, watching TV. She’s doing things and having new experiences on a daily basis. She’s excited to go every morning.”

Despite the distance, Sergio has no hesitation about making the drive. “The conversations, the activities, the field trips. It’s all worth it. That’s why I come up here every single day. I could get her into a program closer to the house, but it wouldn’t be Iona.”

The positive effects on his mom, Sergio says, have been plenty. “She’s not as anxious anymore. She has a sense of accomplishment because she’s contributing to a community again. And we have something to talk about in the evening.”

Sergio has also noticed positive changes in himself, too. “I feel comfortable,” he says. “Mom is here. I don’t worry about her at all during the day.”

Marina Quijano is independent and headstrong. She is also humble and generous.

Marina left her native Colombia in 1949 in the midst of that country’s bloody civil war to join her parents in Washington, DC.

“In Colombia, she was never expected to work,” says her brother Peter, a New York-based attorney. She was expected to get married and raise a family.

But Marina had an independent streak. Instead of a more traditional role, she landed a job in the District with a local real estate company. She threw herself into her career and rose to a management position. She never married or had children. Her colleagues became a second family. In 2011, she retired at age 84.

Now 90, Marina still goes to “work.” But instead of going to an office, she goes to Iona’s Wellness & Arts Center, an adult day program for older adults with dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, and other chronic conditions.

“She’s worked for 60 years,” says Peter. “It’s what she knows how to do. Iona provides something no one else can: a safe and supportive place where Marina has a sense of self-worth. That’s something all of us want—no matter how old we are.” In addition, Peter says, it gives him peace of mind to know she is in a safe, supportive environment.

At Iona, Marina dresses the same way she did when she went to the office, always with a purse to complete the outfit.

“I’ve seen a real change in my sister since she started at Iona,” says Peter. “Once again, she has a purpose. I noticed it almost immediately after she…I was about to say ‘started working there.'”

“Marina likes to feel needed,” adds Sharon O’Connor, director of the Wellness & Arts Center. “She is happiest when she is doing something helpful. So we put her to ‘work.’” Marina helps “lead” exercise classes and clears the tables after lunch. In addition, since Marina was trained in Colombia as a classical singer, the staff frequently invites her to share a song. She recently performed the national anthem at Iona’s Celebration of Achievement, an annual Wellness & Arts Center program that recognizes participants’ accomplishments.

“We talk about a strength-based program,” says Sharon. “What that means is we figure out what makes people tick, what brings them joy. We figured out right away what brings Marina joy: helping people.”

“Every time I step foot in this place it’s like stepping foot in heaven. I do this work with all my heart,” says Marina.

For 50 years, Iona has been a trusted source of support, connection, and empowerment for older adults and caregivers. As we celebrate this milestone, we invite you to explore “50 Stories for 50 Years”—a collection of powerful, real-life experiences that highlight resilience, caregiving, aging, and the impact of Iona’s services.

Read the Stories That Inspire Change

Each story in this collection reflects the strength of our community—people who have faced the challenges of aging, cared for loved ones with dementia, or found support through Iona’s programs. Their voices bring to life the importance of advocacy, compassion, and connection.