VillaVoice - Villa Esperanza Services SchoolVilla Esperanza Services Quarterly Newsletter • Volume...
Transcript of VillaVoice - Villa Esperanza Services SchoolVilla Esperanza Services Quarterly Newsletter • Volume...
If you saw the Emmys this past September you may have seen Dr. Temple Grandin! The
Emmy Award Winning HBO Movie, “Temple Grandin”, portrays the life of Temple during her school years and growing up with autism.
Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. Dr. Grandin didn’t talk until she was three and a half years old, communicating her frustration instead by screaming and humming. In 1950, she was diagnosed with autism and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. She tells her story of “groping her way from the far side of darkness” in her book “Emergence: Labeled Autistic,” a book which stunned the world because, until its publication, most professionals and parents assumed that an autism diagnosis was virtually a death sentence to achievement or productivity in life.
Dr. Grandin has become a prominent author and speaker on the subject of autism. Even though she was considered “weird” in her young school years, she eventually found a mentor, who recognized her interests and abilities. Dr. Grandin later developed her talents into a successful career as a livestock-handling equipment designer, one of very few in the world. She has now designed the facilities in which half the cattle are handled in the United States.
Temple Grandin’s work continues to inspire millions. She
sees herself as an advocate for all persons living on the spectrum. Bringing her story to television helps people to better understand and have compassion for families living with autism. Dr. Grandin’s current bestselling book on autism is “The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s” and it is the focus of her lecture at the Future Horizons Autism Conference on January 28, 2011 at the Hilton in Pasadena.
Villa is helping promote the January conference and in celebration of our 50th will be awarding Dr. Grandin with a Guardian Angel Award. “The majority of students that attend Villa’s school have a diagnosis of Autism,” shares Kelly White, Villa’s CEO. “We congratulate Dr. Grandin on the success of her life story told on screen. She’s an amazing advocate. Often, people don’t realize that the autism spectrum is very broad, as stated by Dr. Grandin, “Somebody with autism might be a Silicon Valley genius, and somebody
might be handicapped and non-verbal.” White continues, “It’s important that people realize although there are different levels of this disability, all of them have abilities. We see progress made daily at Villa.”
The autism conference with Dr. Temple Grandin is for everyone! For more information or to attend the conference please contact Future Horizons at fhautism.com or Villa at 626/449-2919, ext. 128.
Temple Grandin—Hear Her Story Live
VillaVoiceVilla Esperanza Services Quarterly Newsletter • Volume 11 • Fall 2010
Providing Love, Care and Hope for Individuals with Disabilities and their Families since 1961
INSIDE: Message from the CEO, page 2 • A Night of Stars, page 3 • The Hottest Event Ever! page 6
Autism Conference with Dr. Temple Grandin
Friday, January 28, 2011Hilton Pasadena
For information visit fhaustim.com
or call 800-489-0727
T is the Season for giving thanks and enjoying friends and family. We are thankful to each of you for your
tremendous support. We also give thanks to the amazing staff that takes care of our clients each day. Villa is rich in passion and dedicated staff and volunteers—this is why we continue to thrive.
The current economic times are challenging for our industry as we endure yet another 1.25% cut to our budget. We are however, prevailing with strength and tenacity. There is an
increase in participants in many of our programs which reiterates the need to have quality services for individuals with special needs.
As we close the 2010 year, we look forward to the many festivities that will take place here at Villa. The clients and staff participate in and enjoy a number of celebrations including open houses, holiday feasts, along with volunteering and creating baskets for needy families.
We wish you all the best for 2011 and thank you for all you do for our very special children, adults and seniors.
Happy Holidays,
Kelly White, MA, LMFTChief Executive Officer
2010–2011BOARD OF DIRECTORSWendy Petry, ChairmanRob BerryNancy CookThomas CostonR-lene Mijares de LangJoe W. DeFurDiane DoolinMichael FedrickLauren FrankelPaulette GeragosJudith GordonJoe GormanSally IrvingBina LalLaVonne LawsonJim McDermottJanet PaskerMarybeth Rehman-DittuCandice RogersDamon SickmanDenise SparksKathryn TrimbleHarlan P. Tripp
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERKelly White, MA, LMFT
ENDOWMENT FUNDJoe Gorman, Chairman
HOUSING BOARDSRichard Hubinger, President
SUPPORT GROUPSMarie JonesVilla Esperanza Guild
Debbie MeymarianChuck TapertTournament of Hope
Kate LawrenceVilla Young Professionals
COMMUNITY COUNCIL FOR EXCELLENCETemo ArjaniAndrea Belz Claire and Bill Bogaard Jim Bruno Yun and Rich ByrdRamon Cortines Nancy DavisBetty De Santis Neelam DuggalAkila GibbsBetty Chin HoDeborah JenkinsJane KaczmarekLena KennedyRoza and Aron Kuppermann Cynthia Kurtz Vrajesh Lal Jorge Lambrinos Maryann McKinleySue and William McSweeneyTracy Nickl Sarah Smith OrrBeth and Uzzi RaananTom SelinskePhilip V. SwanJohn TaylorMarlon WadeWilliam S. WallerColleen Williams
Message from the CEO
Villa Voice Fall 2010 2 www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org
FAMILY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Looking for a way to get the kids involved in the true spirit of the season? This year we have 18 adults living in our residential group homes that
have no family nearby to help them celebrate the holidays. We are looking for local families who would like to “Adopt an Auntie or Uncle” from this group of very special adults.
Adoptive families could make a holiday visit to their auntie’s or uncle’s group home, bring a gift, holiday treats or room decorations. The program will continue throughout the year including birthday celebrations and other holidays. If your family is interested in participating, contact our Volunteer Coordinator Margaret Morris at (626) 449-2919 ext 162 or [email protected].
THE FACES OF VILLAMeet Roscoe, a long time Pasadena
resident and all around gentleman
providing assistance and help to others
when needed. Roscoe was a boxer
in his youth. Now at age 89 he enjoys
reading, solving puzzles, taking walks,
traveling and loves sports.
You wouldn’t know it to look at
him, he is always well dressed with hat,
coat and watch, and in good athletic
shape, but Roscoe has dementia. He
began attending Villa’s Adult Day
Program in December 2009 when the
family decided he needed to fill his
days with stimulating activities.
Roscoe enjoys his new daily routine
with Villa. He’s quick to lend an ear
and often gives sound advice. In fact,
Roscoe advises our staff to run 3-5 miles
every day for good health. He says
“Your legs are your life.”
Villa is proud to provide love, care
and hope to families when they need it.
To tour Villa and meet more Villa
participants please contact Michelle Cox
at 626-449-2919, ext. 128.
Villa Voice Fall 2010 3 www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org
A NIGHT OF STARS
Villa’s clients and guests received star treatment at the annual Adult Awards Night held November 7th. All clients received Certificates of Achievement
and danced to tunes performed by Arrest My Sister, a renowned LA community band led by Scott Siegel, a very talented performer with autism. Thank you to all our volunteers from the Kiwanis Club of Pasadena, Marshall High School Key Club and Martha Lanfear for taking photos. A special thanks to La Salle High School for the use of their dining pavilion for the evening.
Congratulations to the following individuals for their above and beyond performances:
Pictured above on the cover of a 1946 boxing program is Roscoe with Hall of Fame boxing great Jack Dempsey to his right.
Jackie Stone, Thomas Sanchez and Susie Nack enjoying the band.
Sisters, Sandra and Mary Marasco arriving on the ‘blue carpet.’
Adult Day Program Achievement Award Winner, Carl Norgaard is all smiles with Board Chairman, Wendy Petry.
Steve Martinez and Earl Brown posing with Board Member Tom Coston, Ann Erdman and Board Chairman, Wendy Petry.
Integrated Work Program Achievement Award Tim Culbalchini
Independent Living Skills Achievement Award Mindy Good
Michael Canter Star Award Joe Montemorra James Hubinger
Elene Chaffee Loebbecke Employee of the Year Crystal McWilliams Michael Lindsey
Dottie Nelson Award Gary Tharp Jacinto Loera
Adult Day Program Achievement Award Carl Norgaard Maria Contreras Marlene Ramos
Julia Stahl Residential Award James Knowles Susan Lyle
Betty De Santis Residential Award Daniel Palombo
SCHOOL NEWS
A HOWLING GOOD
TIME — Thank you National Charity League (NCL), San Marino 10th grade Ticktockers (posing with Villa student Tony) for hosting the 3rd Annual Halloween School Dance for Villa’s Middle and High Schoolers. NCL
decorated, provided refreshments and music for the dance. Students enjoyed dressing up and dancing with their new friends.
COURT IN SESSION — The 2010 Tournament of Roses Queen and Court toured the school and presented roses to our students. As a thank you, the Queen and Princesses (seen here with Villa student Sarah) all walked away with a personally decorated photo frame from Villa’s students.
Villa Voice Fall 2010 4 www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Megan Sette (left) with Villa’s Young
Professionals President, Kate Lawrence
(right) along with 30 others gathered
for the VYP mixer at City Sip in Los
Angeles to taste great wine, bid on art
and celebrate Villa. Wine was donated
by VYP member Kris Jones of Conway
Family Wines.
On December 3rd, the group will
once again help decorate our adult
residential homes for the holidays.
Contact Vanessa Voors at 626-449-
2919, ext. 168 if you are interested
in joining us.
AKTION CLUB OF PASADENA
Members of the Aktion Club of
Pasadena, Debbie Page, Susie Nack and
Kathryn Trimble pictured with Oscar
Knight III, Kiwanis International Board
Trustee and Nicola Keller, Kiwanis
Member of Pasadena and Villa’s
Executive Assistant/Office Manager
at the Club’s regional conference
in Wonder Valley, Calif. The three
day retreat focused on leadership
development and fun!
ADULT DAY PROGRAMS
Participants in Villa’s Adult Day Program and Dimensions have been busy with a variety of themed events. Western days at the end of summer, Luaus in August
and Halloween in October. Each event was complete with DJ, dancing, crafts and great food! More celebrating to follow as the holidays arrive!
Staff member Sylvia Rocha with Erma Ferdinand in line for the limbo at ADP’s Luau.
Bill Gilchrist and Margie Hill performing for the Dimensions group.
Mayor Bill Bogaard and the Mayor’s Committee
for Employment of People with Disabilities held their 24th Annual Awards Breakfast at Brookside Country Club. Congratulation to Villa employers, Burke Williams and Collins, Collins, Muir and Stewart, Attorneys at Law for being recognized as Employers of the Year. Thank you for all you do for adults with special needs.
Villa’s Employment Services Program is recognizing
local businesses that employ Villa clients. The recognition program has just launched and the following companies have received their plaques. More companies will be thanked in the coming months. Thank you to the many businesses that employ people with disabilities, we appreciate your dedication.• Burke Williams Spa, Pasadena• Century Rooter Plumbing, Monrovia• Limerick, Inc., Burbank• Muvico Theaters, Thousand Oaks Villa Voice Fall 2010 5 www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org
Celebrating Our Employment Partners
Diane Kim, General Manager of Burke Williams Pasadena (center) pictured with her staff and the Villa team at the Mayor’s Disability Breakfast.
Mayor of Pasadena, Bill Bogaard with Joyce Kelly of Collins, Collins, Muir and Stewart an Employer of the Year.
William Shoup, Manager for Muvico Theaters accepting his appreciation placque from Charles Bloomquist, Villa’s Director of West Region Programs.
Vicky Knight (second from left) proudly displays her award from Villa’s Employment Services Team (l-r) Donna Gonzalez, Case Manager; Michael Greene, Director of Employment Services and David Miller, Group Supported Employment Lead Coach.
FAMILY/FRIENDLYCOMPETITION
One would describe the Meymarian
family as loving, caring and
competitive! Dueling cousins are
competing for the most Villa Angel
Frames Art sold at their establishments.
Debbie Meymarian, owner of The
Body Firm, hosted her gallery opening
on Sunday, November 14th, where
she sold a record breaking 15 pieces
of Villa artwork. Kathleen Meymarian,
co-owner of Kathleen’s Restaurant, on
North Lake has sold 23 pieces to date.
The latest art pieces created by
Villa’s students and adults will be on
display at both locations through mid-
December. All the art was created as
part of an art program made possible
through generous grants from Rowe
and Gayle Giesen Trust and The Green
Foundation. Funds from sales go back
into the art program.
Co-owners Efren Bugarin and Kathleen Meymarian displaying Angel Frames art at Kathleen’s, their Pasadena restaurant.
Debbie Meymarian winning her most recent competition at Villa’s Golf Tournament!
Villa Voice Fall 2010 6 www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org
23rd Annual Tournament of Hope — The Hottest Event Ever!
It was a record breaking day on the course at Angeles National for our 23rd Annual Tournament of Hope. Golfers were sizzling in 116 degree temperatures but they kept
on driving to support children and adults with special needs. Chaired by Debbie Meymarian, owner of The Body Firm, and Chuck Tapert, principal of Stone Tapert Financial, the tournament featured a blazing round of golf, dinner and auction. Sponsored by Wells Fargo the event raised $140,000. Thanks to Jorge Jarrin, “Captain Jorge” of KABC’s Talk Radio and the Los Angeles Dodgers for being the evening’s MC.
TITLE SPONSOR Wells Fargo Private BankESPERANZA SPONSOR DJP Fund, Al Meymarian, AdministratorCART SPONSOR Wrapper USARECEPTION SPONSOR Matrix International Textiles, Inc. CORPORATE SPONSORS Bank of the West CDS Insurance Mijares Mexican Restaurant Pillsbury State Bank of India (California) Sysco Food Services Whittier Trust CompanyGREEN SPONSORS Ameron International Corp. Design Collection FIA Insurance Services, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Greg Forgatch Huntington Hospital OnTrac Skeehan & CompanyTEE SPONSORS Temo A. Arjani Fabrique, Inc. Forensis Group, Inc. Hinton, Kreditor and Gronroos, LLP Kiwanis Club of Pasadena Land ReVision Leisure Capital Management Methodist Hospital of Southern California Joseph F. Moore, Attorney at Law Dottie and Byron Nelson Neufeld Marks Gralnek & Maker Milberg Factors, Inc. Pasadena Civitan Club United Fabrics Watson Land CompanyFOOD AND BEVERAGE SPONSOR Haralambos Beverage Company, Tom Haralambos Trader Joe’s Culver CityLUNCH SPONSOR Corner Bakery
TOURNAMENT OF HOPE GOLF COMMITTEECo-Chair Debbie Meymarian, The Body Firm Co-Chair Charles S. Tapert, Stone Tapert FinancialChuck Adams, The Whittier Trust CompanyMary Ciaravino, Wrapper, USAJanice Grimes, Community VolunteerMinoru Higa, Martin Werbelow, LLPLiz Huston, Community VolunteerBarbara Ito, FIA Insurance Services, Inc.Philip Ito, FIA Insurance Services, Inc.Robert Loebbecke, Community VolunteerSheri McCanless, Insignia PMGEdi Metcalf, Photos by EdiRita C. Milostan, Wells Fargo Private BankJoseph F. Moore, AttorneyKathy Palmer, Martin Werbelow, LLPDon Speakman, Insignia PMG
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORSCongratulations to Tournament of Hope Winners
First Place Men’s (l-r) — Sysco Foods — Mark Albee, John Ruiz, Ron Gomez and Rick Harper.
Brij Lal, owner of Wrapper, Inc and Honorary Chair of the Tournament, (far right) with his foursome Harpal Singh, Paul Marks and Steve Bush.
Golf Co-Chairs Chuck Tapert and Debbie Meymarian
Committee members Min Higa and Phil Ito.
First Place Mixed Foursome (l-r) — Matt Harwich, Fiona Harwich, Larry Pastre and Mitch Lehman.
First Place Women’s (l-r) — Patty Acuna, Marla Ciufetelli, Audrey Sandoval and Anne Owen-Lara.
Villa Voice Fall 2010 7 www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org
Thank You, Danke Schön, Grazie, Saluté — We can’t say it enough!
Villa Esperanza Services is celebrating 50 years of changing lives of children and adults with special needs associated with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
MAIN OFFICE Villa Esperanza Services2060 East Villa StreetPasadena, CA 91107Tel 626-449-2919 Fax 626-449-2850info@VillaEsperanzaServices.orgwww.VillaEsperanzaServices.org
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM SITES:
Adult Day Program (ADP) Westminster Presbyterian Church1757 North Lake AvenuePasadena, CA 91104Tel 626-398-4435Fax 626-398-4707
Dimensions Adult Day Program2031 East Villa StreetPasadena, CA 91107Tel 626-449-2919Fax 626-449-2850
Employment Services & Integrated Work Program756 Lakefield Road, Suite FWestlake Village, CA 91361Tel 805-446-1939Fax 805-446-1959
Hjelte-Phillips Speech & Language Center435 North Craig AvenuePasadena, CA 91107Tel 626-795-8355Fax 626-792-1455
Independent Living Skills (ILS)Under One Roof Human Services Center80 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite 103Thousand Oaks, CA 91360Tel 877-446-4900Tel 805-446-4500
School Campus & Occupational Therapy Clinic2116 East Villa StreetPasadena, CA 91107Tel 626-449-2919Fax 626-395-0174
Adult Residential HomesIn Pasadena Allen House Brown House Chester House Dominion/Morehart House Murphy House Stahl House Villa Apartments Wagner House Wynn HouseIn Thousand Oaks Norgaard House
Congratulations to MIJARES MEXICAN
RESTAURANT for celebrating 90 years of serving fabulous food! Four charities received proceeds from the celebration, including Villa. Thank you for all you do for Villa and the Pasadena Community!
Villa’s Hjelte Phillips Speech & Language Center recently received a $10,000 grant from the DJP
FUND. The funds will go to support services to help improve communication skills for children with developmental disabilities.
THE AUDREY AND SYDNEY IRMAS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION has awarded a $6,000 grant for the purchase of a smart board for one of Villa’s high school classrooms.
Thank you DENISE SPARKS, Villa Board Member, parent and AMADEUS SALON Stylist for coordinating the Rockaholic Haircut Event. Fifteen Amadeus stylists donated their time to create sassy new hairstyles on and off the Tigi Rockaholic Tour Bus. Proceeds benefited Villa and Day One.
THE SKETCH FOUNDATION graciously awarded $5,000 for Villa’s school. This grant will purchase a Smart Board for one of our classrooms.
A $2,500 grant was awarded to Villa from the SIDNEY STERN MEMORIAL TRUST. These funds help support our general operating.
PRUDENTIAL CARES FOUNDATION awarded Villa’s Residential Program with $1,500 to assist with purchasing new furniture.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE JUNIOR WOMEN’S CLUB awarded our West Region Employment Services program with $1,500 to purchase computers for the office. These will help job coaches and clients better prepare for their many jobs in the community.
Employment Services Pasadena recently received a $1,000 grant from the WYNN
FOUNDATION to support job coaching and training.
Thank you WALKER FINANCIAL for donating Dodger tickets to our Villa residents. When asked what their favorite part of the game was, many replied, “Seeing ourselves on the Dodger Tron!”
Thank you COLEEN TSUTSUI (pictured left with West Region Director Charles Bloomquist) a Villa volunteer who we recognized last month’s Volunteer Appreciation Day in the West Region.
“Villa staff is #1 for me. What you all do is simply amazing. The lives of everyone in my family are better because you are here. THANK YOU!”—Mary Mercurio, parent
P.S.
Calendar of Events
Providing Love, Care and Hope for Individuals with Disabilities and their Families since 1961
2060 East Villa Street
Pasadena, CA 91107
www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PASADENA, CA
PERMIT NO. 1924
For more information about our events, please call Vanessa Voors at (626)449-2919, ext. 168or send an email, [email protected].
If you wish to receive the newsletter via email let us know at [email protected]
Monthly Tour of Villa 2nd Friday of Every Month
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Call today to reserve a space (626) 449-2919, ext. 128
School Parent Association Monthly Meeting3rd Monday of Every Month
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. at Villa Esperanza ServicesCall Casey Gregg, School Director for more information
(626) 449-2919, ext. 117
School Holiday ProgramFriday, December 17, at 10 am
School Winter BreakDecember 20 - January 4, 2011
Dimensions and Adult Day ProgramHoliday Parties & Show
December 17, 11:30 to 2:30 pm
Villa Offices and All Day Programs Closed for HolidayThursday & Friday, November 25 & 26
Friday, December 24Friday, December 31
Thank you Licher Printing and Mailing for generously donating the full-color printing of our Villa Voice.
Autism Conference with Temple Grandin Friday, January 28, 2011 at Hilton Pasadena
fhautism.com
Villa Esperanza Guild presents the 13th Annual A Day of Thoroughbred Racing
Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Santa Anita Racetrack12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
LA Art Walk Thursday, March 11, 2011
Downtown
(l-r) Mike Bierman, Brian Cross, Russel Santop and Mike Bermanhard at work stacking food for Manna Food Bank in Thousand Oaks.