Stories from La Casa de la Raza: “I’m Not Perfect Yet”

At 92 years old, Gray Felstiner still shows up to serve the community.

Born in New York and raised partly in Santa Barbara, Gray has lived what she calls a “long life,” one shaped by privilege, but also by awareness.

As a child, she witnessed injustice early. During World War II, she saw Japanese-American neighbors taken from their homes. Later, she watched entire communities pushed to the margins simply because of the color of their skin or the language they spoke. Those moments stayed with her.

“I was brought up to be of service,” she says. “To contribute. Don’t just sit there taking up space.”

That belief carried her into decades of work with the Spanish-speaking community in Santa Barbara. Through Casa de la Raza, Gray helped build early family therapy efforts, working directly inside homes, learning just as much as she taught.

Later, she spent years teaching English, helping immigrants not only pass citizenship exams, but build confidence in everyday life.

Today, her role looks different, but the purpose remains the same.

At the Restorative Justice Education Center, in the historic La Casa de la Raza building, Gray does what she can in the migrant rights project’s pantry. With a cane at her side, she carefully portions food—beans, rice, essentials—into bags for families who are often too afraid to leave their homes.

“It gives me joy,” she says. “Real joy. To use my hands.”

Gray doesn’t claim perfection. In fact, she insists on the opposite.

“God isn’t finished with me yet.”

And at 92, she’s still proving it.

The Restorative Justice Education Center at La Casa de la Raza (601 E. Montecito Street, Santa Barbara) is actively seeking volunteers. Learn more here.