Rhonda’s passion for community building runs deep, rooted in a lifelong commitment to volunteering that began in her teens with Big Brother Big Sister and then teaching in Harlem schools with Americorps. She continued even during her professional career producing live corporate and entertainment theater in New York City.

The CEC provides a rich calendar of family-friendly events including Fourth of July celebrations, National Night Out, Movie Night, Jazz Night in the Community Center, and the signature Music in the Park concerts. Drawing on her musical background—she grew up in a house of musicians and studied music through college—Dorsett scouts talent throughout the city for our concerts, seeking diverse performers to introduce the community to new sounds and styles.

"I really enjoy exploring our city and finding great musicians, performing many different styles of music," she explains. Her selections are then voted on by committee members, ensuring community input in the programming.

The most rewarding aspect of her work? Watching neighbors return concert after concert with their blankets, chairs, and picnic baskets, getting up to dance to music they might never have discovered otherwise. "We build a community together," Dorsett emphasizes.

Looking ahead, the CEC is developing a special event for seniors, though details are still in preliminary stages. Check the FERN Newsletter. For those interested in joining the CEC,  the committee welcomes both full-time members and event-based volunteers, recognizing that everyone's time is valuable and every contribution helps strengthen the community fabric.