The Garden Court Endowment was formed in 2006 to help fund residents’ unsupported medical and other essential needs, and to establish assisted living for vulnerable local seniors needing a higher level of care. On Wednesday, June 20th at 12:00 noon at Garden Court on De la Vina, 1116 De La Vina Street, Garden Court staff, residents and Endowment will honor Towbes and the Canary, a Kimpton Hotel, with the unveiling of commemorative wall tiles in the Garden Court courtyard, and the presentation of awards to the honorees.
At a February event, Garden Court Endowment celebrated Michael Towbes for his lifetime commitment to affordable housing.
The short unveiling ceremony will be held at 12:15pm, there will also be Santa Maria style barbeque, homemade desserts and lemonade prepared by long-time Garden Court Chef, Fransisco “Pancho” Ortega for Garden Court residents and invited guests.
The new tiles will be permanently displayed in the courtyard for the community to enjoy, and as a special tribute to the individuals and organizations who exemplify a commitment to seniors in need in our community. Former Mayor and community advocate, the late Harriet Miller was honored with a tile following the inaugural Garden Court Endowment event in 2006; in 2010, on the occasion of Garden Court’s Anniversary, the organization installed tiles honoring original developer Frank Thompson and architect Detlev Peikert for their service to Garden Court and the community. Other past Garden Court Endowment honorees include Chuck Slosser and the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, whose commemorative tiles are also featured in the Garden Court courtyard, recognizing their service to the community.
About the Garden Court Endowment
The Garden Court Endowment was established as a requirement for the owners of the new hotel to support the relocation of the seniors who had been living at the Carrillo Hotel. The Endowment is supported by donations from individuals and companies in the community, as well as by grants from foundations and other sources.
The Garden Court Endowment has helped hundreds of low-income, frail seniors with support for crisis intervention for mental health, assistive devices for visually impaired residents, on-site health and wellness programs and other critical needs that Garden Court residents could not otherwise afford. Visit www.gardencourt.org/endowment for more information.
The Endowment will also support an initiative to fill one of the most critical housing and service gaps in our community through the creation of an assisted living facility for low-income seniors in Santa Barbara.