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 Mmorris@VillaEsperanzaServices.org.

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, VVoors@VillaEsperanzaServices.org.

If you wish to receive the newsletter via email let us know at info@VillaEsperanzaServices.org

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.