Sunset can be glorious

In the heart of Los Angeles' predominantly Latino and Korean immigrant Mid-Wilshire district is a retirement home like no other. Sunset Hall describes itself as "a non-profit retirement home for freethinking elders who continue to share independence of spirit and involvement in the world." Since it began operating in 1934, it has served as the home of progressive activists who have been part of political, cultural, and social movements that have challenged and advanced society. According to its executive director, Wendy Caputo, Sunset Hall's residents have included "some very liberal democrats ... people who have been blacklisted in the McCarthy era, directors, producers, writers, teachers, professionals, union members, blue collar workers, people who have been active in reactivating Democratic committees here [in Los Angeles]" While the home doesn't require that its residents have a specific worldview, the majority have come from freethinking backgrounds by virtue of Sunset Hall's strong connection with Los Angeles' Unitarian Universalist and Humanist communities.

Sunset Hall was incorporated on April 23, 1923, by the Women's Alliance of the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles. At that time there was no Social Security system in place in the United States and there were few, if any, social programs to support the growing population of seniors in southern California. The Unitarian community in Los Angeles, however, was quite affluent at that time. The members of the Women's Alliance, some of whose aging friends were lacking the care they needed, decided to establish a home where these elderly friends could go.

It took eleven years of church fundraisers, written appeals to other women's groups, and careful investments to raise the funds necessary to begin operation. After much debate regarding where Sunset Hall should be located, the board of directors finally decided to purchase a building at 1424 South Manhattan Place. On May 6, 1934, the building was officially dedicated. On its opening day the home was completely occupied, with a waiting list to get in. To address the growing demand, four years later a second residence was purchased across the street at 1504 South Manhattan Place.

But the work of Sunset Hall's leadership wasn't finished. Everyone agreed that it would be ideal to house all of the residents under one roof where they would have an appropriate kitchen, living areas, and patio. So after another fundraising campaign and another round of debate as to location, a new building was designed by local Humanist Ruben Lovret, who now lives with his wife in San Marino, California. The new building was erected at 2830 Francis Avenue and officially dedicated in 1965 to be the new Sunset Hall. With thirty-nine large, airy rooms surrounding an enclosed patio and living room, this two-story building is still in use today.

Sunset Hall is a completely independent entity. But the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles and its community have supported it throughout its history. Many of the church's members are voting, dues-paying members of Sunset Hall. Throughout the years church members have sent their friends to live there, and many have decided to later move there themselves. According the Reverend Ernie Pipes, a board member, Sunset Hall "almost turned out to be an arm of the First Unitarian Church."

Moreover, that church has a long history of Humanist identification. Two of its ministers have been prominent Humanists directly involved with Sunset Hall. The first was the Reverend Ernest Caldecott, one of the original thirty-four signers of the first Humanist Manifesto in 1933. He led the church as its minister for fifteen years, including the year Sunset Hall opened. Following Caldecott in 1948, the Reverend Stephen Fritchman began his twenty-two-year ministry there. A controversial leftist, Fritchman also served on the board of directors of the American Humanist Association during the 1960s. He wrote for the Humanist on topics ranging from Israel to his own critique of Humanism. And in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of Humanist values, the AHA honored him in 1977 with the Humanist Pioneer Award.

Fritchman's influence over First Church was mirrored in Sunset Hall. Even after his retirement he served as Sunset Hall's board president. According to Pipes, Fritchman "always had a radical political stance and had some Soviet and China sympathies during the cold war, and hence Sunset Hall was often filled with people who had what we would call today left-wing political outlooks."

Two such former residents, Irja Lloyd and Lucille Alpert, who took part regularly in street protests and engaged in political debate throughout their lives, were featured in a documentary that premiered nationally in March 2005. Sunset Story, directed by Laura Gabbert, focuses on the friendship between Irja and Lucille and critiques the larger American society that has marginalized its elderly members--in the case of Sunset Hall, members who devoted their entire lives to social progress. Lloyd, whose father fought for healthier working conditions in a Connecticut axe factory, was a lifelong political activist and a special education teacher. During the anti-communist era she was jailed while participating in an anti-McCarthy protest. Alpert, who grew up in Chicago, worked her entire professional life as a social worker. Since the documentary was made, both women have died, but the spirit of activism they expressed is still very much alive at Sunset Hall.

Current resident Jim Schmeltzer can't say that he was always a freethinker. Brought up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, his family attended a conservative Methodist church. He recalls that it was during his high school years when he was most influenced by religious fundamentalism. But after five years studying zoology at Seattle Pacific College, Schmeltzer realized that he no longer agreed with his conservative upbringing. He eventually moved to Los Angeles where he worked for the Los Angeles County Health Department as a health inspector. Since age thirty-six Schmeltzer has been an active member of the Unitarian church. For the last two years he has served on the board of Sunset Hall. And in February 2005 he decided to become a resident.

When asked what it is he likes most about Sunset Hall, Schmeltzer describes the "camaraderie" between the residents. Since most of them hold progressive, liberal outlooks toward life, they tend to become very dose to one another. The hall's beauty is another benefit noted by Schmeltzer. In the center is a courtyard, which provides the opportunity for residents, even those who aren't as mobile, to enjoy the outdoors. He adds that residents also receive free tickets to performances by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, for the Hollywood Ball, and for other venues around town.

Unlike traditional retirement communities, the management at Sunset Hall focuses on providing for more than just the physical needs of its residents. It recognizes that older people still have a lot to offer. Caputo points out, "Our seniors are an untapped wealth and are often forgotten. I think we forget about the wisdom that comes with aging." The residents also hold this attitude. One resident, Luba Perlin, reflected on this in a 2003 LA Weekly interview: "We never know what each other has.... And we all have something, and many people don't appreciate who and what we are, and there's a tremendous amount of rich experience." Sunset Hall provides for the unique needs of its residents as free-thinkers to continue to make valuable contributions to their community, both inside and outside the retirement home.

The organizational mission states: "We are dedicated to creating and maintaining opportunities for cultural and political participation by Sunset Hall residents in the larger society." And indeed the history of activism among those who live there speaks to the value of their contributions. Residents who, as far back as the 1930s, had protested on behalf of garment workers in New York and Chicago and were later driven west during the McCarthy era, marched with Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Some participated in demonstrations that eventually helped lead to the end of the Vietnam War. More recently, in 2000, residents waged efforts to halt George W. Bush's run for the White House by conducting "Get Out the Vote" campaigns. In March 2003 many attended large street demonstrations to protest the impending war in Iraq. In addition, residents have engaged in political battles over national issues--like the Free Mumia effort--as well as local efforts on behalf of impoverished bus riders, janitors, and immigrant garment workers living in Los Angeles.

Today, activities director Priscilla Yablon, who has been at Sunset Hall for twelve years, provides a variety of opportunities for residents to be active in political affairs. They are encouraged to take part in regularly scheduled discussions which, appropriately called "Free Thinkers," give them the opportunity to debate current issues. During a recent session a representative from the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five came to speak. The San Francisco-based group is an advocate for freeing those Cubans currently being held on charges of espionage against the United States, claiming they are political prisoners who were trying to stop terrorists in Miami from carrying out violent acts against their people. This is a far cry from bingo and Scrabble. Sunset Hall's activity schedule is packed with opportunities for cultural enrichment and social participation--from tai chi instruction to visits from community members to museum trips and discussion groups on pop culture and current events to musical entertainment.

Despite the fact that Sunset Hall is probably the only retirement community in the nation that provides for the unique needs of free-thinking elders, since the 1980s it has faced financial hardship that has led many of its supporters to worry it may soon experience its own sunset. Due to a waning membership at First Church and the growing preference of seniors to remain longer in their own homes, the number of residents at Sunset Hall began to fall. The situation worsened to the point that, in 1989, the board of directors decided to close Sunset Hall's doors for good and sell the property. But many members believed there was still a great need in southern California for such a place. It is only because of renewed support, the generosity of various celebrities such as Pete Seeger and Barbra Streisand, and a judge's restraining order, that the retirement home remains open.

But Sunset Hall's financial insecurity persists. With more than half of the facility's rooms vacant and a six-figure deficit, its board began in February 2005 to again explore the possibility of putting the home on the market. And again there was a rescue effort. Real estate developer Steve Zipp read about Sunset Hall in the Los Angeles Times. He had recently started a nonprofit organization called Affordable Housing Providers of America, the mission of which is to provide housing for homeless people. He has approached Sunset Hall's board of directors with a seemingly attractive offer. Under Zipp'S plan, he would immediately retire the home's debt, refurbish the building, and aggressively market Sunset Hall in an effort to fall its rooms. Also, discussions are underway to develop a partnership with the Unitarian Universalists of North Hills, based in the San Fernando Valley.

While the plan seems feasible, some of Sunset Hall's supporters worry that bricks, mortar, and marketing may not be the only changes implemented under Zipp's plan. Since its inception, Sunset Hall has been run democratically, with its residents, board, and dues-paying members having a vote in its management decisions. Under Zipp's initial plan, however, he would be the lone decision maker, not subject to the wishes of anyone else. Taking such concerns into account, residents and members voted in March 2005 to allow the board to continue working toward an agreement with Zipp. According to Wendy Caputo, she and the residents are hopeful that the deal will eventually lead to a bright future for this unique residence.

Despite the obstacles still to be faced in reaching an agreement that will preserve both Sunset Hall's identity and future, one thing is clear: the home's supporters won't let it go easily. If more people--especially Humanists--knew that such a place existed, it's quite possible that Sunset Hall's rooms would be filled and it would once again have a waiting list. Meanwhile, every community across the nation can learn from Sunset Hall's example that advanced age, as experienced by the freethinkers living at 2830 Francis Avenue, can be more vibrant and meaningful than any other time in one's life.

Allison Muller is a former employee of the American Humanist Association who lives in Washington, D.C. You can find out more about Sunset Hall on its website www.SunsetHall.org, by calling 213-387-5277, or by sending an e-mail to sunsethall@sunsethall.org.

COPYRIGHT 2005 American Humanist Association
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group