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On October 19, 2024, the Inland Regional Center (IRC) hosted its annual Cultural Fall Festival at the Riverside Convention Center, and it was a day to remember! From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., more than 3500 clients, families, service providers, and community partners gathered to celebrate the richness and diversity of the IRC community. The event was completely free and made possible through Language Access and Cultural Competency (LACC) funding provided by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), ensuring it was accessible to all who wanted to join in the festivities. Translation services were provided in Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Mandarin/Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.

In addition to the 110 resource booths, IRC’s Cultural Specialist, in partnership with 24-Hour Home Care, hosted breakout learning sessions on key topics that affect our clients, such as respite care, social recreation, and other essential services.

A Pokémon-Themed Celebration

This year’s Cultural Fall Festival embraced a Pokémon theme, making it an especially fun and unique event for attendees of all ages. Many participants showed up in their favorite Pokémon costumes, eager to take part in the costume contest, which brought plenty of smiles and excitement to the day. Children and adults alike donned creative outfits, adding an extra layer of fun to the celebration.

The festival also featured a raffle, with incredible prizes generously donated by various vendor booths. From Pokémon memorabilia to gift cards, there were plenty of exciting items up for grabs, making the event even more engaging for everyone in attendance.

Quotes from IRC Leaders

Several IRC leaders shared their excitement and thoughts on the event:

Dr. CJ Cook, IRC’s Program Administrator for Community Engagement and Training, said,
“The Cultural Fall Festival is a beautiful example of how we can come together as a community, not only to celebrate but to ensure our families are connected to the resources they need. The turnout was incredible, and it’s always inspiring to see our community engage and support one another in such a meaningful way.”

Lavinia Johnson, IRC Executive Director, reflected,
“We are deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in everything we do, and the Fall Festival is a true celebration of that. It’s wonderful to see our clients, families, and community partners all enjoying the event while accessing the important services and resources IRC offers.”

Monica Munguia, IRC’s Community Engagement Manager, added,
“This year’s Pokémon theme really resonated with our families, making it extra special for the kids. Seeing the joy on their faces during the costume contest was unforgettable. The festival is an amazing opportunity for us to engage with families in a relaxed, fun environment while sharing crucial information.”

Tania Sanchez, IRC’s Event Developer, highlighted the importance of community outreach, saying, “The Cultural Fall Festival has always been about bringing people together. Thanks to the LACC funding from DDS, we were able to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever. We’re so grateful to the vendors, staff, and families who made this such a successful and impactful day.”

 

A Day of Celebration and Connection

The Cultural Fall Festival brought together more than 100 vendors and service providers, allowing families to connect with crucial resources and support services. The Riverside Convention Center buzzed with excitement as attendees enjoyed cultural performances and a variety of fun activities for all ages.

The festival featured:

• Live Performances: Attendees were treated to vibrant cultural dance performances and live music, reflecting the rich diversity of the community IRC serves.
• Resource Fair: A wide array of service providers shared valuable information about support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.
• Giveaways and Raffles: Attendees walked away with exciting prizes, raffle items, and plenty of free goodies, many donated by participating vendor booths.

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion

IRC’s Cultural Fall Festival was a beautiful reflection of the diverse cultural backgrounds of our clients and their families. The event celebrated these differences while also fostering a sense of unity within the community. Attendees were able to learn about each other’s traditions and backgrounds, helping to strengthen the bonds that make the IRC family so special.

The Pokémon theme added a playful and whimsical element to the celebration, making it a hit with younger attendees while still providing an opportunity to learn and connect with vital resources. IRC staff and vendors worked together to ensure that families left the event with valuable information about the programs and services available to support individuals with I/DD.

Looking Back on a Successful Event

The 2024 Pokémon-themed Cultural Fall Festival was an unforgettable day of celebration, learning, and community building. IRC was thrilled to see so many clients, families, and community members come together in a shared spirit of inclusion and support. By the end of the day, it was clear that the event had succeeded in its mission to foster unity, provide essential resources, and celebrate the vibrant diversity that defines the IRC community.