Later the residents shared a meal with some traditional Mexican staples, like pozole, a stew with hominy and meat, atole, a hot drink, and chicken, tortillas and other hot foods to share on the cold night.

“They see themselves as a big family here,” De Niz said. “If all things were perfect they would all end up together.”

Miriam Meza, a resident of Arrowhead Village who has become one of the community’s leaders since the notices were sent out, said the celebration was done to give families some hope for the holiday season. Meza has lived in the park for four years, and said she does not have any plans yet about where she will move when the park closes.

“We did a posada and a rosary to ask for something good for all the families here,” she said in Spanish with a translator. “We want people to know we are all united in this. We want to have a good ending to this process that’s coming ahead.”

Olga Garcia, who has lived in the park for 11 years and has also become one of the community’s organizers, said the dinner and prayers gave residents a chance to be together before they go in different directions.

“It’s an opportunity to be together as a family right before Christmas because we know what’s coming,” she said in Spanish through a translator.