community spotlight A-LISTS
REAL MEN RUN KITCHENS
ALBERTO CORTÉS
Mama’s Kitchen celebrates its 20th anniversary with the Great Gatsby Garden Brunch
by david vera
For anything to last 20 years, a number of factors are needed—the most vital of which being love. For the past decade, Alberto Cortés has contrib- uted his style and…you guessed it…love to the successful recipe that keeps Mama’s Kitchen going strong to this day. Now, as we prepare for the festivities that Mama’s 20th Anniversary brings, Executive Director Cortés details what it takes to “nourish the heart, one meal at a time.” Shortly after arriving in San Diego in 1983, Cortés became a volunteer of
the San Diego AIDS Information Line. “This was one of the first responses to AIDS in San Diego that aimed to educate and provide resources (both very limited at the time) to callers,” admits Cortés. “I have been involved in the field of HIV/AIDS, in sundry roles, ever since. I volunteered very briefly in the early days of Mama’s Kitchen (the early ‘90s). In 2000 I was invited to join the board of directors and served for two years. I was hired as executive director in July 2002.” As one can imagine, the various duties of an executive director revolve around leadership, governance, management, philanthropy, and advocacy. Tasks include working with and supporting the board of directors, managing the day-to-day activities of Mama’s Kitchen and supporting the work of the staff and volunteers. “Also, in conjunction with the board, I provide a vision for the future and aide the crafting of strategic direction for Mama’s Kitchen. While sustaining its grass-roots culture, Mama’s Kitchen will continue to respond to the nutri- tional needs of people with AIDS or cancer—and those who are vulnerable to cancer. These needs will change and I expect that Mama’s will, in kind, change.” For the average Joe, this would be an unwieldy stack of responsibil- ity. But Cortés is anything but average, as he serves on the board of directors of The Association of Nutrition Services Agencies, the advisory board for the Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research at University of San Diego as an executive committee member and he is an active member of the San Diego LGBT Community Leadership Coalition. And, if there weren’t enough on his plate, “On my spare time I sing with the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus and have—on an as-needed-basis—work with their board of directors.” Cortés is very inspired by the memories of the many people who stepped
up to the plate to do something in the fight against AIDS in the every early days of the epidemic when resources were few. “These were people who were
there because it was the right thing to do—for no other reason,” exclaims Cortés. “Two more recent historic events have provided inspiration and hope for our communities: I witnessed the inauguration of President Obama at the North Park Theatre via satellite with other San Diegans. The vision of an African-American person taking the oath was emotional to say the least. The second event was the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. She is a fellow Puerto Rican who, like me, was raised in grayer, more modest parts of New York City. These two events spoke to the power of democracy in an inclusive society…They send powerful messages of “can- do” to younger generations of those communities.” Clearly, Cortés has served queen and country well, but every charitable
powerhouse needs time for diversion now and again. To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, Mama’s Kitchen plans to host a Great Gatsby Garden Brunch on Sunday, September 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at an elegant, historic private estate in Marston Hills. Tickets are available for $250 and $125. According to
mamaskitchen.org, the theme of “Great Gatsby! Mama Turns
20!” will “evoke the carefree romance of the Roaring ‘20s, complete with clas- sic cars, flowing cabanas and live jazz. Guests are invited to don their finest lawn attire and most fashionable hats and to enjoy vintage champagne and superb cuisine. It will be a relaxed and enchanting afternoon among friends old and new. All proceeds will ensure that Mama’s Kitchen will continue to serve San Diegans for another 20 years and beyond.” To top the luxurious mood, private cabanas on the property will be avail-
able to guests to relax with the help of mimosas and general bottle service. Three options are available: the Green Light Cabana Lounge at $5,000, the Trust Fund Gatsby Cabana Lounge at $10,000, and the Classic Gatsby Cabana Lounge at $15,000—guests of this lounge can look forward to enjoying a feast prepared by their own personal celebrity chef. In 20 years of kindness, Mama’s Kitchen has never turned away a single person who is eligible for services. It is this brand of generosity and deter- mination that ensures Alberto Cortés’ hope of continuing Mama’s work will come true.
Visit
mamaskitchen.org to find out how you can make a contribution to your community.
SEPTEMBER 2010 | RAGE monthly 15
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