villavoice - villa esperanza services school

Community 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. 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.

Volunteering — Double ImpactWritten by Alex Paschal, Villa’s Volunteer & Special Events Coordinator

VillaVoiceVilla Esperanza Services Quarterly Newsletter • Volume 9 • Spring 2010

Providing Love, Care and Hope for Individuals with Disabilities and their Families since 1961

INSIDE: Message from the CEO, page 2 • Celebrating Villa Staff, page 3 • A Day at the Races, page 6

(Continued on page 5)

“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.”

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.”

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 providing more education and increasing our visibility in the community.

Through our leadership, the Coalition of Service Providers continues. This group consists of 14 Southern California non profits collaborating on strategy, ideas and ways 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

2009-2010BOARD OF DIRECTORSWendy Petry, ChairmanRob BerryNancy CookThomas CostonR-lene Mijares de LangJoe W. DeFurAnnMarie FlahertyLauren FrankelPaulette GeragosJoe GormanTucker GrantSally IrvingJohn T. KellyBina LalLaVonne LawsonJim McDermottJanet PaskerMarybeth Rehman-DittuDamon SickmanDenise SparksKathryn TrimbleHarlan P. Tripp

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERKelly White, MA, LMFT

ENDOWMENT FUNDAnnMarie Flaherty, Chairman

HOUSING BOARDSRichard Hubinger, President

SUPPORT GROUPSJudi MooreVilla Esperanza Guild

Vrajesh LalDon SpeakmanTournament of Hope

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 Spring 2010 2 www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org

Check out Villa on You Tube “Samantha — Finding Her Voice”

Log on to www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org to view.

40 UNDER 40

Villa’s very own CFO, Vicky Castillo,

was honored as one of the 40 under 40

by Pasadena Magazine.

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 NEWSWe 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.


CELEBRATING VILLA STAFF!

Villa’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.

10 YEARSCarol Cruz Cynthia Donnerson Barbara Martin Leonida Segundo Montrey Taylor

5 YEARSClyde 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

3 YEARSRoy 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 AWARDSLinda Bustos Monica Corona Lucy Gezalyan Lisa McIntire David Nowlen Kathy Rojas Montrey Taylor

“ABOVE AND BEYOND” AWARDSClyde 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

EMPLOYEES OF THE YEARDanny Alvarez (left photo)Thomas Corona (right photo)

LEADERSHIP AWARDCasey GreggAward presented by CEO Kelly White and Board Chairman Wendy Petry

Congratulationsto all and Thank you!

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.

Congratulations to all. You have worked hard to epitomize excellence.

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 Friday, June 18 from 10:00 – 12:00 a.m. in Villa’s Braun Center. Each classroom will perform and each student will receive recognition for their accomplishments. Everyone is welcome!

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.


WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ADP!

The past months were busy at ADP.

The group celebrated Black History

Month in a variety of ways. They

prepared quilts with pictures of

prominent African Americans. The

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

Thank you Civitan for hosting the

annual Pizza Party for our Dimensions

and Employment Services programs. It’s

always slices of fun!

Room 1 – Alicia AngelRoom 2 – Priscilla GarciaRoom 3 – Cheyenne GonzalesRoom 5 – Jeff DuntonRoom 6 – Solida Nguon

Room 7 – Anet SepanianRoom 8 – Stephanie BalderamaRoom 9 – Raquel GarciaRoom 10 – Rosa Galifi


Volunteering — Double Impact(Continued from page 1)

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 edited “The Good Manner Movie.” They model how to help a friend who has fallen off a bicycle, they hold doors open for one another, they wash their hands using “a sufficient amount of soap.” They are high school boys using their manners. And, they are far more fun to watch than hearing your teacher remind you to say “please” and “thank you.” Our school is using the movie to capture our students’ attention and help them improve their social skills.

As Casey Gregg, Vice President of Children and Youth Programs points out “student volunteers at Villa result in a positive impact on the volunteers as well as our students. 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.” 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 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 and office volunteers and support group members. We are grateful for each and every volunteer who comes to Villa, your impact is lasting. ________________________________________________________________________

To learn more about volunteering at Villa, please contactAlex Paschal, Volunteer Coordinator at 626-449-2919 ext. 162

or [email protected]

VILLA SERVES IT UP BEST FOR THE MARATHON PARTICIPANTS

The first group of volunteers arrived

at 5:30 a.m. eager to get things set up

at Water Station 14 - Villa Esperanza

Services! Rain or shine, the day was

filled with cheers for the runners,

walkers and cyclists.

A total of 122 volunteers between

5:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. made Villa’s Mile

24 Water Station the most memorable

and the one serving it up best for all the

marathon participants. With two miles

to go, marathoners were delighted to

see the signs and smiles and hear all the

cheering at Villa’s water station. Some of

the most enthusiastic cheerleaders were

Villa’s clients who came out and shared

in the fun.

ON THE HOME FRONT

Rain or Shine our residents love

attending the Rose Parade! Thank you

Sharp Seating for the tickets. Villa

residents also cheered the Clippers on

during their game against Portland

Trailblazers in January.

Longtime Villa residents, Michael

Conkey and James Hubinger

celebrated the BIG 40 with a party

inviting all Villa residents. Happy

Birthday guys!

Become a Fan of Villa Esperanza Services on Facebook!

Villa volunteer Tad Balfour and Villa student Tony taking a break from editing one of Tony’s movies.


A Day at the RacesVilla 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.

Young Professionals

Thank 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. Thank you to our sponsors: Pasadena Magazine, 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 [email protected]

Tom Bristow, Tamy Dumias, Greg Bristow

Villa student Toby Dort with his Mom Nancy Pierson

Board member Sally Irving with her husband Bill

Marty Digges, Georgene Neely and Claire Reese Burrill

Leslie Pam and MC, Bob MooreCEO Kelly White, Rachel Peterson, Emily Tellez and Board Member Nancy Cook

Guild Benefit Chairs Debbie Hart and Anne Letton

Ann Petersen and Guild President Judi Moore

VYP’s Executive Committee John Fletcher, Alison Voors, Hilarie Link & Kate Lawrence

Party goers at the event.

Joe Haleakala, Erika Anderson, Brian Parsons and Jose Chavarin

CCFE Member Cynthia Kurtz and CEO Kelly White with Board Members Jim McDermott and Rob Berry


Thank You, Danke Schön, Grazie, Saluté — We can’t say it enough!

Villa Esperanza Services, providing Love, Care & Hope for individuals with disabilities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

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) & Care Management Outreach Collaboration (CMOC) Main OfficeWestminster Presbyterian Church1757 North Lake AvenuePasadena, CA 91104Tel 626-398-4435Fax 626-398-4707

Care Management Outreach Collaboration (CMOC) Satellite Office & Independent Living Skills (ILS)Under One Roof Human Services Center80 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite 103Thousand Oaks, CA 91360Tel 877-446-4900Tel 805-446-4500

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

School Campus & Occupational Therapy Clinic2116 East Villa StreetPasadena, CA 91107Tel 626-449-2919Fax 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 HouseIn Thousand Oaks... Norgaard House

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 FOUNDATIONA $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 TRUSTIn support of our therapeutic art program, the Rowe and Gayle Giesen Trust has awarded $1,500 to Villa’s School.

WELLS FARGOLinda 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

Mentor NetworkVilla’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 VillageA $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 CalabasasA $950 grant from the City of Calabasas has been awarded to Villa’s West Region Employment Services program to purchase gardening equipment.

“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

P.S.

Calendar of Events

Providing Love, Care and Hope for Individuals with Disabilities and their Families since 1961 2060 East Villa StreetPasadena, CA 91107www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PASADENA, CA

PERMIT NO. 1924

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]

Thank you Licher Printing and Mailing for generously donating the full-color printing of our Villa Voice.

CAN (Cure Autism Now) WalkSaturday, April 24, 9:00 – 12 Noon, Rosebowl

Angel Frames Art CollectionMay 31 – July 10

24 Hour Gallery, 80 North Raymond

School Awards CeremonyFriday, 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 Meeting3rd Monday of Every Month

Call Casey Gregg, School Principal(626) 449-2919, ext. 117

April is Autism Awareness Month • National Volunteer Week , April 18 – 24

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 LalMistress of Ceremonies Annie Potts

Jane Kaczmarek Brij Lal Annie Potts

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