Love, Laughter and Connection Across L.A. County

Music, laughter and full dance floors were common sights this Valentine’s season at Aging & Disabilities Department (AD) community and senior centers, from Antelope Valley to San Pedro.

At the Los Nietos Community and Senior Center, more than 80 participants gathered for an afternoon of dancing and celebration. Opening the L.A. County Channel segment, Aging & Disabilities Department Assistant Director Anna Avdalyan welcomed attendees and reminded viewers why events like this matter. “It’s really important to see older adults and the disability community enjoying this event,” she said. “This is to combat loneliness. This is what we’re here to do, to provide emotional well-being.”

For participants, the impact was personal. “I enjoy the atmosphere here,” one attendee shared. “We have a good time every time we come. I have a lot of friends here.”

Jamie Calderon, who supports individuals with diverse disabilities through Reach Services, said her group had been counting down the days. “We’ve been looking forward to this dance for at least two weeks,” she said. “It brings everybody together.”

At the San Pedro Service Center, longtime member Esther Impagliazzo described the Wednesday Club as family. “A lot of our members don’t have family around anymore,” she said. “This is their family. We eat together, laugh together, cry together.”

Fellow member Yolanda Oreb echoed that sense of belonging. “If you like to socialize in a safe environment with no commitments, this is the perfect place,” she said. “It’s community. It’s building relationships.”

In the Antelope Valley Senior Center, a Lunar New Year and Valentine’s celebration filled the room with music and color. John Entwistle, who began attending the center after moving to Lancaster, described it simply: “This is my refuge,” he said. “This fills that void. And it does it admirably.”

Across the centers, one theme was consistent: connection matters. Whether through dances, lunches, exercise classes, volunteer opportunities or simply sharing coffee with friends, these spaces help older adults stay active and engaged.

Valentine’s Day may come once a year, but the friendships built at these centers last far beyond the dance floor.