Volunteering — Double Impact
Transcription
Volunteering — Double Impact
VillaVoice Providing Love, Care and Hope for Individuals with Disabilities and their Families since 1961 Villa Esperanza Services Quarterly Newsletter • Volume 9 • Spring 2010 Volunteering — Double Impact Written by Alex Paschal, Villa’s Volunteer & Special Events Coordinator C ommunity volunteers — those two words mean quite a lot to the children, adults, families and staff at Villa Esperanza Services. We are always looking for ways to integrate our children and adults with the community. “These young volunteers grow up with a better understanding of people with disabilities and Villa’s students benefit from interactions with peers serving as models for good behavior.” Volunteerism is growing in popularity nationwide; more and more individuals are looking for rewarding opportunities. Hundreds of volunteers come to Villa each year and leave a lasting mark. Villa has many volunteers working directly with our children and adults: high schoolers meeting individuals with special needs for the first time; college students determining if this is their career path; professionals wanting to give back. Whatever their reason for being here, Villa volunteers are all making an impact. Our volunteers often don’t recognize how important it is to give our children and adults the chance to meet a peer from the community. They get to practice shaking hands, introducing themselves and talking about their favorite things with someone who is ready to give their undivided attention. Villa partners with as many as 35 schools, universities and volunteer organizations to bolster our already exemplary programs. Our young volunteers serve as excellent role models. Loyola High School seniors Christopher Galan, Joseph Kearney, Kevin Merry, Tad Balfour and Michael Romberger volunteered 85 hours in our classrooms and created the “Good Manner Movie.” (Continued on page 5) INSIDE: Message from the CEO, page 2 • Celebrating Villa Staff, page 3 • A Day at the Races, page 6 2009-2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Wendy Petry, Chairman Rob Berry Nancy Cook Thomas Coston R-lene Mijares de Lang Joe W. DeFur AnnMarie Flaherty Lauren Frankel Paulette Geragos Joe Gorman Tucker Grant Sally Irving John T. Kelly Bina Lal LaVonne Lawson Jim McDermott Janet Pasker Marybeth Rehman-Dittu Damon Sickman Denise Sparks Kathryn Trimble Harlan P. Tripp CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Kelly White, MA, LMFT ENDOWMENT FUND AnnMarie Flaherty, Chairman Message from the CEO I am fast approaching my one year anniversary as Villa’s CEO. It is a pleasure serving you and all of our very special children, adults and seniors. We wrapped up 2009 with a variety of festivities. The Board of Directors held their annual holiday party at Mijares Mexican Restaurant. The evening was an opportunity to give thanks and reflect on the year. Our children, adults and seniors also celebrated with group parties and performances. We held our staff recognition event in December presenting awards and recognition to staff for all their hard work. Villa has many long time employees and we have a low turnover which speaks to Villa’s culture, our staff and their commitment to serve our clients. We commend all our staff for continuing to do great work. Our participants continue thriving and their successes keep coming. 2010 is shaping up to be a busy year. Villa’s Board of Directors is creating the next three-year Strategic Plan with a 10 year vision. The focus for the next three years is sustainability, growth where feasible, remaining fiscally sound and increasing efficiencies. In addition, our commitment to advocacy continues with the goal of HOUSING BOARDS Richard Hubinger, President providing more education and increasing our visibility in the community. SUPPORT GROUPS Judi Moore Villa Esperanza Guild consists of 14 Southern California non profits collaborating on strategy, ideas and ways Vrajesh Lal Don Speakman Tournament of Hope COMMUNITY COUNCIL FOR EXCELLENCE Temo Arjani Andrea Belz Claire and Bill Bogaard Jim Bruno Yun and Rich Byrd Ramon Cortines Nancy Davis Betty De Santis Neelam Duggal Akila Gibbs Betty Chin Ho Deborah Jenkins Jane Kaczmarek Lena Kennedy Roza and Aron Kuppermann Cynthia Kurtz Vrajesh Lal Jorge Lambrinos Maryann McKinley Sue and William McSweeney Tracy Nickl Sarah Smith Orr Beth and Uzzi Raanan Tom Selinske Philip V. Swan John Taylor Marlon Wade William S. Waller Colleen Williams Through our leadership, the Coalition of Service Providers continues. This group to navigate the potential next round of budget cuts. Our sister agencies work together presenting a united voice in support of individuals with disabilities. This July Villa begins our 50th year as a provider of services for individuals with developmental disabilities. We are all extremely proud of this accomplishment and look forward to the next 50 years. We are planning a year of celebrations with our big 50th Birthday Bash in July 2011. We hope you will all join us! We once again wish to thank all our donors, families, partners, clients and staff. The Villa team remains strong because of all of your support. Best wishes and thank you! Kelly White, MA, LMFT, Chief Executive Officer Check out Villa on You Tube “Samantha — Finding Her Voice” Log on to www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org to view. Villa Voice Spring 2010 2 www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org 40 UNDER 40 CELEBRATING VILLA STAFF! V illa’s Board of Directors hosted a recognition dinner giving thanks to the 265 amazing employees that keep Villa Excellent! Special recognition was given to those with 3, 5 and 10 years of service. Villa’s very own CFO, Vicky Castillo, was honored as one of the 40 under 40 by Pasadena Magazine. EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR Danny Alvarez (left photo) Thomas Corona (right photo) 10 YEARS Carol Cruz Cynthia Donnerson Barbara Martin Leonida Segundo Montrey Taylor 5 YEARS Clyde Acabal Jeannette Arellano Leticia Bonilla Lobita Brewer Michelle Cox Antonio Del Rosario Andy Garcia Cheyenne Gonzalez Kelly Gregory Genny Guadalquivir David Miller Anita Paredes Sherna Pinnock Maria Ramos Katherine Rojas Mary Rusin Sandra Valenzuela Gabriela Villanueva LEADERSHIP AWARD Casey Gregg Award presented by CEO Kelly White and Board Chairman Wendy Petry 3 YEARS Roy Amezcua Alicia Angel Janet Birkmeyer Milagros Carpio Robert Cimorelli Loretta Colwell Saul De La Rosa Victor De La Torre Priscilla Garcia Olivia Gibson Angela Gilbert Padrica Graves Teresa Green Ricardo Johnson Tywan Jones Christopher Lelong Gloria Lozano Ushaben Martin Enrique Martinez Lisa McIntire Rachael Moreno Elizabeth Mungai Fabian Ojeda Alex Paschal Ana Perez Rodrigo Perezolague Maria Ramierz Laura Ruelas Frances Sands Annabelle Santos Mahesh Seneviratne Elizabeth Sepulveda Susan Snowden Dora Stephens Marvin Untalan Daniel Vicent Judity Valmonte RISING STARS AWARDS Linda Bustos Monica Corona Lucy Gezalyan Lisa McIntire David Nowlen Kathy Rojas Montrey Taylor “ABOVE AND BEYOND” AWARDS Clyde Acabal Libni Ambrose Marites Beltran Janet Birkmeyer Jasmine Bravo Karen Cayaba Denise Duarte Rebecca Gonzalez Brandy Jean Stella Magaña Lennie Moore Maria Ramirez Michael Rivas Martina Ruiz Mahesh Seneviratne Annette Sepanian Elizabeth Sepulveda Juan Tario Vanessa Voors Marietta Warren Owen Woodard Congratulations to all and Thank you! Villa Voice Spring 2010 3 Ryan Rose, Villa Employment Services Participant, was also nominated for the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s 40 under 40 for his accomplishments as a Manager at PetSmart. Congratulations to both of you! LEADERSHIP NEWS We are pleased to announce the promotion of Gwendolyn Meier, M.A., CCC-SLP, MT-BC to the position of Director of the Hjelte-Phillips Speech & Language Center. We congratulate Terri Reed on her promotion to Interim Director of our Care Management Outreach Program. Welcome, Foster Gomonda, Villa’s new Director of Integrated Adult Day Program. www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ADP! SCHOOL NEWS GREAT JOB! FANTASTIC! WELL DONE! — These are expressions of praise for some of the hard-working staff at Villa’s School. The staff is invited to nominate a peer from each class who goes above and beyond. Congratulations to the following persons honored in January. Room 1 – Alicia Angel Room 7 – Anet Sepanian Room 2 – Priscilla Garcia Room 8 – Stephanie Balderama The past months were busy at ADP. Room 3 – Cheyenne Gonzales Room 9 – Raquel Garcia The group celebrated Black History Room 5 – Jeff Dunton Room 10 – Rosa Galifi Month in a variety of ways. They Room 6 – Solida Nguon prepared quilts with pictures of prominent African Americans. The Congratulations to all. You have worked hard to epitomize excellence. participants on “Film Fridays” enjoyed films written, directed, and/or starring African Americans. They also enjoyed participating in a Drum Circle. Trips included the African American History Museum in Los Angeles and Santa Anita Park for horse racing! CIVITAN OF PASADENA Jeff Dunton, Priscilla Garcia, Stephanie Balderama, Rosa Galifi, Anet Sepanian, Cheyenne Gonzales, Solida Nguon. END OF SCHOOL — Join us for our School’s annual Awards Ceremony on Thank you Civitan for hosting the Friday, June 18 from 10:00 – 12:00 a.m. in Villa’s Braun Center. Each classroom annual Pizza Party for our Dimensions will perform and each student will receive recognition for their accomplishments. and Employment Services programs. It’s Everyone is welcome! always slices of fun! SPEECH & LANGUAGE — Our speech and language center is providing local area Head Start organizations with professional development in the areas of Early Literacy Development, strategies for teaching English Language Learners, and using music to stimulate development and learning in the preschool setting. Villa Voice Spring 2010 4 www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org Volunteering — Double Impact (Continued from page 1) VILLA SERVES IT UP BEST FOR THE MARATHON PARTICIPANTS Each year, Villa is fortunate to have five or six Loyola High School Seniors volunteer with us for three weeks in January. This year, the Loyola Seniors wrote, filmed, starred in and The first group of volunteers arrived edited “The Good Manner at 5:30 a.m. eager to get things set up Movie.” They model how to at Water Station 14 - Villa Esperanza help a friend who has fallen Services! Rain or shine, the day was off a bicycle, they hold doors filled with cheers for the runners, open for one another, they wash walkers and cyclists. their hands using “a sufficient A total of 122 volunteers between amount of soap.” They are high 5:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. made Villa’s Mile school boys using their manners. 24 Water Station the most memorable And, they are far more fun to watch than hearing your teacher remind you to say “please” and and the one serving it up best for all the Villa volunteer Tad Balfour and Villa student Tony taking a break from editing one of Tony’s movies. marathon participants. With two miles to go, marathoners were delighted to “thank you.” Our school is using the movie to capture our students’ attention and see the signs and smiles and hear all the help them improve their social skills. cheering at Villa’s water station. Some of As Casey Gregg, Vice President of Children and Youth Programs points out the most enthusiastic cheerleaders were “student volunteers at Villa result in a positive impact on the volunteers as well as our Villa’s clients who came out and shared students. These young volunteers grow up with a better understanding of people with in the fun. disabilities and Villa’s students benefit from interactions with peers serving as models for good behavior.” A fourth grade Mayfield student was so touched by what he learned when he volunteered with our students it stuck with him and he came back ON THE HOME FRONT to complete his Eagle Scout project here. Needless to say, he is sure to be an adult who has more compassion for individuals with disabilities. Villa also has volunteers working behind the scenes doing all kinds of tasks. Some serve as mock interviewers for our adults practicing their skills before going out to get a job of their own, while others perform projects like cutting out St. Patrick’s Day shamrocks for our children to use in their occupational therapy sessions to helping our administrative offices with filing. They are giving their time and talents to help our staff focus on their priorities — our clients. We celebrate all our volunteers — Board Members, committee members, program Rain or Shine our residents love and office volunteers and support group members. We are grateful for each and every attending the Rose Parade! Thank you volunteer who comes to Villa, your impact is lasting. ________________________________________________________________________ Sharp Seating for the tickets. Villa To learn more about volunteering at Villa, please contact during their game against Portland Alex Paschal, Volunteer Coordinator at 626-449-2919 ext. 162 or [email protected] residents also cheered the Clippers on Trailblazers in January. Longtime Villa residents, Michael Conkey and James Hubinger Become a Fan of Villa Esperanza Services on Facebook! celebrated the BIG 40 with a party inviting all Villa residents. Happy Birthday guys! Villa Voice Spring 2010 5 www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org A Day at the Races V illa Esperanza Guild held their 12th Annual “A Day of Thoroughbred Racing” on Saturday, February 27th. Though the weather stalled the live racing, guests still enjoyed lunch, raffle and off-site betting. The Guild raised $68,000 to support Villa’s Hjelte- Phillips Speech and Language Center and Residential and Independent Living programs. A special thank you to Tom and Mary Bristow of the UPS Store for donating the postage for the event. Thank you to the Guild for their hard work and to everyone who donated and attended. Ann Petersen and Guild President Judi Moore Guild Benefit Chairs Debbie Hart and Anne Letton CEO Kelly White, Rachel Peterson, Emily Tellez and Board Member Nancy Cook Leslie Pam and MC, Bob Moore Marty Digges, Georgene Neely and Claire Reese Burrill Board member Sally Irving with her husband Bill Villa student Toby Dort with his Mom Nancy Pierson Tom Bristow, Tamy Dumias, Greg Bristow Young Professionals T hank you for joining Villa’s Young Professionals (VYP’s) at Party Pasadena hosted by Pasadena Magazine. Over 250 guests enjoyed great food, drinks, desserts and music. Joe Haleakala, Erika Anderson, Brian Parsons and Jose Chavarin Thank you to our sponsors: Pasadena Magazine, CCFE Member Cynthia Kurtz and CEO Kelly White with Board Members Jim McDermott and Rob Berry Langham Huntington Hotel, Town & Country and Thorson GMC Motor Center for a wonderful evening! We welcome the VYP’s Executive Committee: Ellen Carlon, John Fletcher, Kris Jones, Kate Lawrence, Hilarie Link and Alison Voors. To join contact Vanessa at VVoors@ VillaEsperanzaServices.com VYP’s Executive Committee John Fletcher, Alison Voors, Hilarie Link & Kate Lawrence Villa Voice Spring 2010 6 Party goers at the event. www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org Thank You, Danke Schön, Grazie, Saluté — We can’t say it enough! PASADENA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (PCF) PCF awarded Villa with a $50,000 grant to upgrade the technological capacity of the agency’s financial operations. This upgrade allows Villa to maximize productivity and efficiency thereby ensuring that the Finance Department can meet the needs of the organization and its fiscal responsibilities. AYRSHIRE FOUNDATION A $40,000 grant from the Ayrshire Foundation has been awarded to our school to help fund the start-up and implementation of an adaptive P.E. program. PASADENA FOOTHILL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (PFAR) PFAR granted $7,000 to Villa’s Speech and Language Center. The gift supports services for our students. SAN MARINO COMMUNITY CHURCH FOUNDATION (SMCCF) The SMCCF granted $2,500 to the Speech and Language Center. ROWE AND GAYLE GIESEN TRUST In support of our therapeutic art program, the Rowe and Gayle Giesen Trust has awarded $1,500 to Villa’s School. WELLS FARGO Linda Russell, Regional Vice President Greater San Gabriel Division, Jonathan Weedman, Regional Vice President and Robert Pastrana, Store Manager of Wells Fargo North Allen Branch, presented a check for $1,000 to Villa at the Greater San Gabriel Division annual Community Support Breakfast. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Villa Esperanza Services, providing Love, Care & Hope for individuals with disabilities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. MAIN OFFICE Villa Esperanza Services 2060 East Villa Street Pasadena, CA 91107 Tel 626-449-2919 Fax 626-449-2850 [email protected] www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org ADDITIONAL PROGRAM SITES: Adult Day Program (ADP) & Care Management Outreach Collaboration (CMOC) Main Office Westminster Presbyterian Church 1757 North Lake Avenue Pasadena, CA 91104 Tel 626-398-4435 Fax 626-398-4707 Care Management Outreach Collaboration (CMOC) Satellite Office & Independent Living Skills (ILS) Under One Roof Human Services Center 80 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite 103 Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 Tel 877-446-4900 Tel 805-446-4500 Dimensions Adult Day Program 2031 East Villa Street Pasadena, CA 91107 Tel 626-449-2919 Fax 626-449-2850 Employment Services & Integrated Work Program 756 Lakefield Road, Suite F Westlake Village, CA 91361 Tel 805-446-1939 Fax 805-446-1959 Mentor Network Villa’s Employment Services Program has been awarded $5,000 from the Mentor Network. The grant supports training and job placement for our adults. City of Westlake Village A $3,800 grant has been given to the West Region Employment Services Program from the City of Westlake Village to purchase equipment and increase job training. City of Calabasas A $950 grant from the City of Calabasas has been awarded to Villa’s West Region Employment Services program to purchase gardening equipment. Villa Voice Spring 2010 7 Hjelte-Phillips Speech & Language Center 435 North Craig Avenue Pasadena, CA 91107 Tel 626-795-8355 Fax 626-792-1455 School Campus & Occupational Therapy Clinic 2116 East Villa Street Pasadena, CA 91107 Tel 626-449-2919 Fax 626-395-0174 Adult Residential Homes: In Pasadena... Allen House Brown House Chester House Dominion/Morehart House Murphy House Stahl House Villa Apartments Wagner House Wynn House In Thousand Oaks... Norgaard House www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org Providing Love, Care and Hope for Individuals with Disabilities and their Families since 1961 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION 2060 East Villa Street U.S. POSTAGE Pasadena, CA 91107 PAID www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org PASADENA, CA PERMIT NO. 1924 Thank you Licher Printing and Mailing for generously donating the full-color printing of our Villa Voice. Calendar of Events April is Autism Awareness Month • National Volunteer Week , April 18 – 24 CAN (Cure Autism Now) Walk Saturday, April 24, 9:00 – 12 Noon, Rosebowl Angel Frames Art Collection May 31 – July 10 24 Hour Gallery, 80 North Raymond Jane Kaczmarek Brij Lal Annie Potts Blue & White Jazzin’ It Up — New Orleans Style Sunday, May 16, 2010, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Private Home of Mary & Bill Urquhart in South Pasadena Honoring Jane Kaczmarek and Brij Lal Mistress of Ceremonies Annie Potts For more information about our events, contact Vanessa Voors at (626)449-2919, ext. 168 or [email protected]. Villa’s going green — if you wish to receive the newsletter via email let us know at [email protected] P.S. School Awards Ceremony Friday, June 18, 10:00 – 12:00 a.m. Villa’s Braun Center Villa is turning 50! Celebrate with us July 2010 – July 2011 23rd Annual Tournament of Hope Monday, September 27 Angeles National Golf Course, Sunland Monthly Tour of Villa 2nd Friday of Every Month Call today to reserve a space (626) 449-2919, ext. 128 School Parent Association Monthly Meeting 3rd Monday of Every Month Call Casey Gregg, School Principal (626) 449-2919, ext. 117 “When I was first introduced to Villa I was inexperienced with the needs and resources related to developmental disabilities. But I came through the door and saw the mission living and breathing amongst our clients and incredibly dedicated and talented staff. In joining the board, I find myself volunteering for a family that is exemplary in their commitment, values and business practices.” —Tom Coston, Villa Esperanza Services Board Member