Creating a better world… One person at a time.

Volume 5, No. 1 ORANGE COUNTY NEWSLETTER February 2014Our 4th Annual

A Message from Lourthu – Operations Director, Orange CountyCarnival

On September 26, 2013 we held our fourth annual Orange County Client Carnival at Liberty Park in Westminster. About four hundred clients attended and enjoyed a day filled with games, prizes, clowns, a magician, music, dancing, and treats. The booths and games were all prepared by our programs. We are most grateful to OCTA and MV Transportation for again transporting our clients to and from the carnival. On pages 2 and 3, we are featuring photos from the carnival.

The DayStar Program On December 13, 2013 the DayStar Program in Fullerton held a client fashion show. Clients and guests alike enjoyed the colorful clothes and presentation. The DayStar program also took six of its clients on two outings to Disneyland recently. We are most grateful to Maggie Maciel, mother of our client, Gilbert Maciel, for loaning us her Disneyland pass. We have included photos of both the fashion show and Disneyland trips on page 4.

Orange County Client Carnival

Client Page On page 5, we are highlighting four of our clients who are demonstrating exceptional achievements. We commend them for their accomplishments, determination, and the shining examples they set for others.

Employment and Volunteer Jobs Westview’s goal is to assist its clients in developing their abilities and increasing their participation in the four areas of self-care, self-advocacy, employment, and community integration. One way this is accomplished is by providing them with skills training to prepare them to enter the work force and then assisting them in finding individual and group jobs, as well as volunteer opportunities. For those clients who are unable to participate in paid or volunteer jobs, we assist them in integrating into the community to the greatest extent possible. On page 6, we have provided a summary of our Orange County program-wide employment, volunteer jobs, and community integration, effective February 2014.

Images of the Client Carnival

DayStar Fashion Show and Disneyland Outing

Top row from L: Tiara Wilson and coach Esperanza Viramontes; the guests assemble; Babak SamiakalantariBottom row from L: Frankie Luu and his mother, Chamie Luu; John Hernandez and his mother, Mariana Hernandez; Chanel Kang and coach Eleanor Arboleda; William Champlin; Angela Carrasco and her mother, Darlene Morris

Top row from L: Eugene Duet, Erika Licon, Snow White, and Gilbert Maciel; Eugene and Erika in the front seat and Gilbert in the back on Snow White’s Adventure Ride; Eugene, Gilbert, Pluto, coach Katherine Ruedas, and ErikaBottom row from L: Babak Samiakalantari, coach Nancy Hernandez, and Jonathan Watson on the Storybook Canal boats; senior coach Dorothy Rabusa, Sandra Mora, and Jonathan Watson on the Mad Tea Party ride; coach Nancy, Babak Samiakalantari, and Sandra Mora riding Dumbo

Have you ever met someone that simply brightens your day with their smile? Cathy Krieger of the Community Arts Program in Anaheim is that kind of woman. Everywhere she goes, and amazingly at all times, Cathy’s care and concern for others can be felt by all who cross her path. Cathy is an articulate woman who is continuing to improve upon her public speaking skills. She has been chosen to speak at client and care provider events and will be the featured speaker at our upcoming annual Sports Fest in June. Cathy has many interests and is consistently seeking to improve her knowledge and service gifts. When asked about her goals she replies, “I want to learn more about others’ disabilities so I can advocate for them, especially through public speaking. I also want to get into acting and local theater.” Cathy also teaches a music class and leads a reading session in serving her peers. We are grateful for the gifts and talents Cathy brings to the Community Arts Program and all of us at Westview, but we are even more appreciative of her exemplary and inspiring dedication to the service of others.

When Kim Chi Nguyen joined the Starlyte Program in Westminster in 2009 she was very quiet and passive. At first her coach had a hard time convincing her to participate in various activities, but the coach continued to encourage her and gradually Kim Chi began participating in the morning exercise activity, which she now loves. Then she began talking more and more. Now she also loves to paint, practice the piano, walk by holding the wall railing, and participate in many other activities. She has even contributed her own recipe in the nutrition class. Kim Chi is a shining star at the Starlyte Program.

When it comes to pursuing a talent with passion, Mary Nguyen of the Multi-Cultural Program in Westminster is an example for all to emulate. Mary’s passion is photography. She takes photos of our Westview events, finishes them on Photoshop, and even puts music to them. She loves to give the photos to her peers and the Westview staff. Mary had an interest in photography when she joined the program in 2008, but over the last few years she has become so skilled that she is often in demand by Westview to take photos for various events. All that is needed for her to get her i-Pad camera ready is to hear, “Mary, we need you.” Some of Mary’s photos adorn the Multi-Cultural Program offices and they have also been shown at Westview’s art exhibits. Mary shows all of us how to develop our talents and live life with zeal.

Kimberly Callan of the Hy-Lond Home Program in Garden Grove is a shining example of developing self-advocacy skills. Kimberly is non-ambulatory, yet she propels her wheelchair around the program to participate in activities and interact with her peers and the staff. Even more impressive, however, is how she has gained the ability to communicate with others. Kimberly is non-verbal, but by using a GoTalk digital device she is now able to express her likes and dislikes, feelings, needs, and desires. She has also acquired the ability to interact with the people around her in a much more inclusive way. Kimberly shows us how disabilities are not barriers to developing self-advocacy skills and participating in the world around us.

Client ProfilesTaking the Next Step

February14 St. Valentine’s Day Dance, 9:30 - 12:00 Garden Grove Women’s Civic ClubMarch14 St. Patrick’s Day Dance, 9:30 - 12:00 Garden Grove Women’s Civic ClubApril9 Special Olympics Track & Field Events, 8:00 - 12:30 Orange Coast College Track

May5 Cinco de Mayo celebrations at our programsJune16-20 Westview’s 9th Annual Client Sports Fest Garden Grove ParkJuly3 Independence Day celebrations at our programs

Orange County Fair, Date and time TBA

30 3rd Annual Client Talent Show, 10:00 – 12:00 Venue TBA

Westview is a non-profit service agency dedicated to enriching the lives of people through services designed to realize their potential.

Corporate Offi ce10522 Katella Ave.Anaheim, CA 92804(714) 517-6606CEO/PresidentGregg Gann

Orange County Operations1655 S. Euclid St, Ste AAnaheim, CA 92802(714) 635-2444Operations DirectorPethuru Lourthu

Activities DirectorCarole Cooper

Training ManagerDr. Maryam Toubak

Senior Program ManagerShahnaz Arora

Operations AssistantRichard Jennings

Behavior ManagementCommunity-Based Program1701 S. Euclid St, Ste CAnaheim, CA 92802(714) 956-4188Program ManagerLisa Hernandez

Community Arts Program1701 S. Euclid St, Ste EAnaheim, CA 92802(714) 956-4199Program ManagerLinda Radich

Community-Based ProgramAnaheim1655 S. Euclid St, Ste DAnaheim, CA 92802(714) 635-2444Program ManagerLaurie Furuta

DayStar Program626 W. Commonwealth Ave.Fullerton, CA 92832(714) 879-3980Program ManagerEli Begler

Garden Grove Program9776 Katella Ave.Anaheim, CA 92804(714) 530-2703Program ManagerMachele Harris

Hy-Lond Home Program9861 W. 11th St.Garden Grove, CA 92841(714) 531-8741Program ManagerRaheleh (Nora) Mehrasia

Multi-Cultural ProgramCommunity-Based8295 Westminster Blvd, Ste 130Westminster, CA 92683(714) 799-0211Program ManagerAngie Fisher

Multi-Cultural ProgramSupported Employment8295 Westminster Blvd, Ste 130Westminster, CA 92683(714) 799-0211Program ManagerAngie Fisher

Starbright Program3922 W. 5th St.Santa Ana, CA 92703(714) 265-9886Program Manager Reema Franco

Starlyte Program9421 Edinger Ave.Westminster, CA 92683(714) 418-2090Program ManagerLucy de Jesus

Supported EmploymentProgram Anaheim1835 W. Katella Ave.Anaheim, CA 92804(714) 778-2606Program ManagerShannon Stevens

Windsong Senior Activity Center1701 S. Euclid St, Ste A & BAnaheim, CA 92802(714) 956-4190Program ManagerFlora Villarey

Westview Orange County Paid Jobs, Volunteer Jobs,and Community Integration

Westview Orange County Special Events through July 2014

Please visit our website at:www.westviewservices.org

Venues and times are subject to change. For information on these and other Westview events, contact Carole Cooper,Westview Activities Director, at (714) 635-2444, Ext 235 or ccooper@westviewservices.org

Below is a summary of the participation of our Westview Orange County Program clientsin paid jobs, volunteer jobs, and community integration as of February 1, 2014:1. Number of clients employed in individual placements: 862. Number of job sites providing individual placements: 733. Number of clients employed in group placements: 664. Number of job sites providing group placements: 155. Number of clients in volunteer jobs: 2456. Number of volunteer job sites: 657. Number of clients who regularly participate in community integration (not counting our Supported Employment programs): 408