Building Communities Through Cuisine: Project Access' Impact at CPP Properties

From the very beginning, Community Preservation Partners (CPP) has approached its mission differently. More than just a consultant or investor, CPP acts as a true partner in every sense. By collaborating with leading nonprofits and strategic partners, they provide essential social services to residents, support neighborhood initiatives, and transform multifamily affordable housing communities.?

At several of its California developments, CPP partners with Project Access, a nonprofit organization offering on-site health, education, and employment services to families, children, and seniors living in affordable and workforce housing communities. Today, we feature Evelyn's story, highlighting the impact of CPP's partnership with Project Access on residents at CPP properties across the country.

The 180-unit community of Golden West Towers Apartments located in Torrance, CA, is home to a diverse community of seniors who found a unique way to come together through an international cooking series celebrating residents’ culinary heritages. This initiative, more than just a series of cooking classes, became a catalyst for unity and community building among the residents.

Evelyn, a resident at Golden West Tower, embodied this transformation. Her involvement in this cooking series marked a significant turning point for both her and her community.

The international cooking series was initiated by Nilo, a fellow resident, and began with a session on simple Indian cooking. This session inspired Mahin, an Iranian resident who had remained withdrawn from prior activities, to share her Persian culinary skills. As the series continued, other cultural dishes were explored, including Chinese glass noodles, an idea prompted by suggestions from Chinese attendees like Evelyn.

Evelyn's growing confidence was evident as she contributed to organizing a community-building event in November. The event aimed to prepare a variety of dishes for a diverse group of guests. This event showcased her leadership in the kitchen, where she, along with the "Golden Girls" team including Nilo and Mahin, prepared a meal for 117 people. This effort not only highlighted her culinary skills but also her ability to lead and unify her residential community.

Motivated by her experiences, Evelyn is now keen to continue her involvement in future events, becoming a catalyst for community engagement and an example of leadership development.

As Evelyn says, “We Golden Girls can do it, no problem.”

To learn more about the Project Access Program click here.

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