Culpepper Garden boosters put a difficult year in the rearview mirror and looked to the future at the organization’s “BBQ & Blooms” summer fundraiser.
“We’re raising the bar and we’re hoping to do more” in support of residents, Culpepper Garden’s president, Marta Hill Gray, said at the June 6 event, held at Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ.
Located near Ballston, Culpepper Garden provides independent-living apartments and services for low-income seniors. Much of the past year has been spent by the Culpepper Garden leadership phasing out assisted-living housing options that had been offered for nearly a quarter-century.
Sen. Barbara Favola (D-40) has served on the board of Culpepper Garden’s parent organization for more than a decade.
“It’s such a quality organization,” she said. “The Culpepper team knows every resident, knows what’s going on in their lives.”
Favola said wraparound services offered to residents provide stability and a sense of belonging.
“When we hit our golden years — I’m there, too — we want to thrive, not just survive,” she said.
“One of the hardest parts of aging is the loss of freedom,” said Jane Collins, who served as emcee at the event. “We help our residents age with dignity, [to] have the stability and support they need and deserve.”
“Residents feel connected and supported,” she said.
Culpepper Garden announced the decision to phase out assisted living nearly a year ago, as the cost of providing that option was imperiling the nonprofit’s finances. Some assisted-living residents have moved to other providers, while others have transitioned into Culpepper Garden’s independent living with additional services provided.
At the BBQ & Blooms event, Culpepper Garden presented its 2026 Legacy of Grace Awards to Dr. Robert Breiner, Bartlett Collins Naylor and Virginia Housing.
At the event, Juanita Gonzalez was presented with Culpepper Garden’s first staff award.
Gonzalez, who has worked there for 17 years, is “a great person, lovely, helpful — I could be here all day saying good words,” said Ray Reyes, director of plant operations.
“She’s truly a leader to others — she’s a sparkler,” Gray said.
The event also saluted county public-safety personnel, who are invited to attend each year.
“They’re big supporters of what we do,” Gray said. A yearly luncheon with police and sheriff personnel is “a highlight for all our residents,” she said.
Culpepper Garden opened in 1975 on land sold at a reduced cost to Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington by Dr. Charles Culpepper, who had lived on the five-acre tract since 1926.
The Unitarian Church’s housing efforts later evolved into the nonprofit Arlington Retirement Housing Corp., which serves as the parent organization for Culpepper Garden.
