Fall 2011 Volume 2 / Issue 2
MONICA ALCANTARMuch-Beloved Director
T.J. MITCHELLSmall Wonder
BROADWAYBOUNDMusical Theatre Program
I I
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friend
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1
In this issue
Our missionAbilityFirst provides programs and services to help children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities realize their full potential throughout their lives.
www.abilityfirst.org
Editor Pauline Avendaño
Writing Lynne Heffley, Danielle Weiss
Design FreeAssociates
Photography Christine Haws, Ed Krieger
8PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Union BankA 30 Year Partnership
9SUCCESS STORY
Do-A-Dot Art A Colorful Way to Success
11FUNDRAISING
Festival of FallFun, Food, and Friends
12FUNDRAISING
Long Beach Fashion ShowGiving With Style
Dear Readers,
As AbilityFirst celebrates its 85th anniversary, we reflect on the many milestones that we have reached, the many challenges that we have faced, and the many victories that we have celebrated. Since our beginnings in 1926 as the Crippled Children’s Society of Southern California, we have had numerous successful and enjoyable moments that have allowed us to become the vibrant and contemporary organization that we are today. Each year, because of your generosity through events and campaigns, we have been able to serve over 2,000 children and adults with disabilities.
Recently, we celebrated a victory with the signing of Senate Bill 309 (SB-309) averting a crisis for 18-22 year-old high school students and their families statewide. Because of a conflict between the state’s Education Code and Health and Safety Code, these participants were at risk of having to prematurely exit our after school programs. Thanks to the hard work of Senator Carol Liu, and your support, SB-309 was signed into law by Governor Brown, allowing high school students to remain in our after school programs.
I am proud to report that our employment programs are growing. Thanks to a generous grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation for a new truck, we are now contracting with more companies in the Pasadena area. Additional business contracts result in more adults with developmental disabilities being employed and receiving job training while increasing AbilityFirst non-government revenue to help sustain and grow all of our quality programs.
On behalf of AbilityFirst, I thank you for your support of our mission to provide quality programs to children and adults with disabilities.
Please enjoy the magazine which gives you a glimpse into the life around AbilityFirst. Here’s to another successful year ahead.
Kind regards,
Lori GangemiPresident and CEO
13PROFILE
LA5-Rotary Club of Los AngelesSpotlighting the Work of
Volunteers
14GALLERY
Around AbilityFirst
17CONNECTION
Directory and Leadership
2PROFILE
Monica AlcantarShining a Light on
Disabilities, as the East Los
Angeles Center Director
4FEATURE
Crisis Averted Governor Brown signs
SB-309 into Law
5 FEATURE
Broadway Bound Anaheim Program’s Musical
Theater Production
6FEATURE
Small WonderThe Sky is the Limit
for T.J. Mitchell
shininglightA ON DISABILITIES
3PROFILEMONICA ALCANTAR/EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
to make them aware of the services that
AbilityFirst provides.
“I invite them to visit and ask them to be
a part of one of our special events at the
Center so that they can interact with our
participants, experience first-hand what
our program is all about, and see how a
little support can go a long way in our
programs,” she said.
Among the Center’s biggest supporters,
she noted proudly, are volunteers from
Fire Station #3 of the Los Angeles
County Fire Department and the East Los
Angeles station of the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department.
“The fire and sheriff’s departments play
a very important role in the community,”
Monica said, “so I felt that they needed to
be connected with our Center and with
the families that we serve,” she continued.
“By making them aware of AbilityFirst,
I felt that in turn they would reach out and
help inform more of the community about
special needs people. And that’s what
has happened.”
Volunteers at both organizations take part
in the Center’s holiday parties—Santa
Claus has arrived on a fire engine and on
a sheriff’s helicopter. Firefighters, led by
now-retired Los Angeles County Deputy
Fire Chief Jesus Burciaga, “put together toy
drives for the kids, hosted a barbecue for
Employee Spotlight: Monica Alcantar
Monica Alcantar, AbilityFirst’s
much-beloved East Los Angeles
Center Director since 2006,
has a two-part mission: To help children
with disabilities realize their potential
while raising awareness in the community
about their challenges, achievements and
individuality.
Raised in East Los Angeles, Monica
returned to her roots after earning a
degree in Early Childhood Development,
joining the AbilityFirst staff in 1996.
Her desire to work with children with
special needs, she said, was inspired by
the fact that as she was growing up, she
realized that individuals with disabilities
in her community were traditionally a
hidden population.
“In the past, you didn’t see them at the
mall, at the movies or the parks. So it is
very satisfying to me to be able to help the
children at our Center grow and achieve
greater independence—and it is equally
important to encourage families and the
community to recognize just how much is
possible for individuals with special needs,”
Monica said.
Monica’s dedication to her work with
AbilityFirst is infused, too, with her own
experiences as the mother of three sons,
ages 2 ½ to 18. “As a mom you want the
best for your children and you don’t expect
any less,” she said. “When families come
and request services from us, I understand
how important we are to them and how
important it is that we give 100 percent
and more to their children.”
AbilityFirst’s recognition of the challenges
faced by the families of special needs
children is key, Monica emphasized.
“While doing their best to care for their
special needs child, parents are juggling
work or school, or are struggling with
other difficult situations at home. They
need support, too,” she continued.
“Sometimes helping is as simple as just
hearing a frazzled parent out,” she said.
“Sometimes they just need more concrete
support and I will do everything that I
can to help connect them with legal or
financial services.”
The Center staff shares her vision, Monica
added, “and gives all they can to the
families and the kids that we serve,” she
continued. “My children and husband are
very involved in what I do, too. My two
oldest boys have volunteered at the Center
since they were five years old and they
enjoy it. My sons even have their friends
come and volunteer.”
Monica, who is also President of the East
Los Angeles Rotary Club and a member of
the Latin Business Association, uses her
position in the community to reach out to
businesses and organizations in the area Continued on page 16
4
CrisisavertedOn October 4, 2011,
Governor Brown
signed a bill which
ended a crisis for parents
with disabled high school
students. The bill, SB-309,
was authored by California
Senator Carol Liu and
sponsored by AbilityFirst. The
signing of SB-309 ultimately
ended a conflict between
the state’s Education Code
and Health and Safety Code
that forced developmentally
disabled high school students
18 years and older into
programs for developmentally
disabled adults.
The need to create SB-309
arose during a routine
licensing check at the
AbilityFirst Lawrence L.
Frank Center in Pasadena.
“Every one to five years, a
Licensing Analyst comes to
the center to administer a
routine licensing check,” said
Kelly Privitt, AbilityFirst
Sr. Director of Programs.
“This time was a little bit
different, however, because
we received news from
the analyst that we had to
remove all students 18 years
and older from the program
immediately,” she continued.
Not only were the high school
aged participants affected by
this abrupt news, but so were
Governor Brown Signs SB-309 into Law
the parents. The issue was
that by removing the high
school students from the after
school program, it would put
a huge burden on the parents
because there were no other
programs that an 18 to 22
year old disabled high school
student can attend. Licensed
adult programs typically end
at 3:00pm, and these high
school students have working
parents and need supervision.
This being said, the situation
became critical for parents
because their children had
nowhere to go.
Senator Liu was contacted
by AbilityFirst parents who
expressed concern for what
would happen to their child,
and she immediately called
AbilityFirst to see how she
could help.
AbilityFirst worked with
Senator Liu and her team
tirelessly as they collaborated
to reach a conclusion. All
AbilityFirst centers also
became involved, campaigning
to inform parents and
community members
about the importance of
this bill, and encouraging
people throughout Southern
California to write and call
Governor Brown in order to
have SB-309 enacted. Whether
it was raising awareness for
the bill, or working with the
Senator and her team to get
SB-309 passed, AbilityFirst
would not stop until their
mission was complete.
“Beginning in August, we
met with Senator Liu, our
licensing analysts, Regional
Centers, and families on
many occasions,” Privitt said.
“Senator Liu then authored
the bill and presented it to the
Senate with hopes that SB-309
would become law.”
Finally, after months of
collaboration, SB-309
was signed into law by
Governor Brown.
“A crisis has been averted
for our families,” said Lori
Gangemi, CEO of AbilityFirst.
“We are grateful to Senator
Liu for her leadership and
commend Governor Brown
for signing this bill that will
have a meaningful impact
on the lives of young people
with special needs and their
families,” Gangemi said.
One AbilityFirst participant
greatly affected by the passage
of SB-309 was Taylor Fedde.
Taylor, a 19-year old Pasadena
high school student, has
severe cerebral palsy. Taylor
engages his world from
the seat of his wheelchair.
Because of his disability,
Taylor depends on specialized
assistance every day which
AbilityFirst provides.
“Thanks to Governor Jerry
Brown and the leadership of
Senator Carol Liu, our teenage
son Taylor will not be forced to
return to a world of isolation
and seclusion. Governor Brown
has helped thousands of young
people with special needs
continue to be a part of their
community and grow,” said
Taylor’s Father, Mark Fedde.
Continued on page 12
AbilityFirst celebrates the signing of SB-309 with Senator Liu.
bound5FEATUREANAHEIM PROGRAM’S THEATER PRODUCTION 5
The Musical Theatre program’s most
important benefit for the participants—
whose disabilities range from cerebral
palsy and autism to Down syndrome
and epilepsy—is what it does for
their confidence, Cindy said. “As they
experience learning lines, choreography,
and rehearsals, they realize that they have
a voice.”
Setting high standards, with expectations
of professional behavior and preparation
for roles, contributes to that confidence
building, Tami said. “As a parent it’s so
awesome to see them on stage performing.
As a director it’s awesome to see how they
change with a boost of self-esteem.” At
the beginning of each session, “there are
always kids who say they can’t do it, but
pretty soon they’re up on stage having a
great time and doing a wonderful job to
the best of their abilities,” she continued.
“And oh, my gosh,” Tami added, “just to
see them blossom and perform, to see the
Anaheim Program’s Musical Theater Production
Like most actors, Matthew Kissinger
is delighted to be asked about his
roles on stage. “I did one of the
Seven Dwarves and I was Captain Von
Trapp in ‘The Sound of Music’ and I was
the Lollipop Guild Leader in ‘The Wizard
of Oz.’ I’ll take on any character they can
think of,” he said.
Matthew is an engaging 27-year-old
whose disabilities include autism,
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
and mild cerebral palsy. He is part of the
AbilityFirst Anaheim Program’s Musical
Theatre Production, designed to help teens
and adults with developmental challenges
develop social skills, build confidence, and
explore their potential for growth and
independence.
Being part of the theater group is among
Matthew’s “all-time favorite things,” he
said. “I like it when the audience cheers
and claps and everything. It makes me
feel like a star. I’m a big stage ham when it
comes to performing,” he added happily.
The well-structured, creative Musical
Theatre Program is presented in
partnership with the City of Anaheim. It
encompasses weekly “Musical Theatre
Production” sessions during the school
year that culminate each spring in
a song-and-dance show for general
audiences—complete with choreography,
costumes, props, and a wrap party. The
program also involves “Musical Theatre
Exploration,” a summertime series that
allows participants to sample theater arts
through plays put on by other community
groups, related activities, and field trips.
Under the leadership of Musical Theatre
Director Tami DeGroat, the shows that the
group has performed for the public are as
varied as a Disney revue, a spoof of the 60s
sitcom “Gilligan’s Island” and a Michael
Jackson-themed, “Jeopardy”-style game
show musical extravaganza.
To come up with productions that will give
everyone a chance to shine in the spotlight,
“we meet around the middle of summer,”
said Anaheim Program Director Cindy
Valencia. “Tami comes in with ideas and
talks them over with the other staff and
the volunteers, and then they pitch the
ideas to me.” Before a script is finalized,
though, the program participants
themselves are asked to weigh in.
“We present them with a couple of different
ideas and they vote on them,” Tami said.
“They thought that a Michael Jackson revue
and a take-off on Gilligan’s Island were
the coolest things ever.”
Musical participants sing and dance to the score “Thriller” during the show “And the Winner is…”
Continued on page 12
6small“Even when we left T.J with AbilityFirst for
the first time,” Veronica added, laughing,
“he was like, ‘wow!’ We thought he’d be
anxious, wanting to know where mommy
and daddy were, but instead, it was ‘bye,
see you later.’ So, we’re still protective,
but not as overbearing about it as we
used to be, where before we were saying
no, you can’t do this, you can’t do that,”
Veronica continued.
The staff also has expectations of the
Center participants, Tony pointed out with
appreciation. “They’re not babysitters.
They encourage them to learn, they make
learning fun to do, and you can see that
they love what they’re doing and that they
love the kids. The kids respond to that.”
The Mitchells are included in T.J.’s day-to-
day progress, too, Veronica noted. The staff
asks them how they handle things with T.J.
at home and it then becomes part of his
learning process.
“Children need their parents to be
involved,” Tony said. “It makes them
happy when they see that their parents
are behind them 100 percent. You have
to support your children, whether they’re
handicapped or not.”
Indeed, T.J.’s concerned parents involve
themselves in every area of their son’s life.
Besides volunteering at his school, they
are a frequent presence at the Lawrence
L. Frank Center, regularly attending
AbilityFirst events and parent meetings.
The Sky is the Limit
TJ. Mitchell may be small for his age,
but this wide-eyed, sports-loving
10-year-old doesn’t know it. T.J., who
has Down syndrome and survived open
heart surgery as an infant, is game for
anything, especially swimming, dancing,
and basketball.
These days, at the AbilityFirst Lawrence
L. Frank Center in Pasadena, T.J. can be
found splashing in the swimming pool,
showing off his Michael Jackson moves, or
bouncing a basketball. “Sometimes you
have to pry him off the court,” said his
mother, Veronica Mitchell. The Center has
an inclusive basketball team that competes
against non-disabled peers, complete with
uniforms and cheerleaders and T. J. hopes
to be part of it one day.
The active little boy has come a long way
since he first began attending the After
School Program at the Center nearly
five years ago. AbilityFirst has helped
T.J. dramatically in many ways, Veronica
said, noting that she and T.J.’s father, Tony,
are amazed at the progress that their son
has made at the Center in his ability to
communicate.
“His speech has become awesome,”
Veronica said. “For a while you could
barely understand what he was saying.
Now he’s speaking words that we didn’t
think he would ever know.”
T.J.’s social skills are another area of
improvement. At the Center his love
for basketball is proving to be a useful
teaching tool in helping her son learn
to share with others. As the youngest of
three girls and three boys, T.J. has been
like an only child at home, his mother said.
(T.J.’s five siblings, “are all grown and out
of the house,” explained Tony.)
The kindness and patience that the
Center staff shows T.J. is key in helping
him overcome the difficulty that he has
had in interacting with other children,
the Mitchells feel. By showing them just
how much T.J. can learn to do, AbilityFirst
has also helped them become better
informed parents.
For instance, “Since my mother-in-law
has a swimming pool, and we wanted
T.J. to be safe, he had taken swimming
lessons before going to the Lawrence L.
Frank Center,” Veronica said. “Despite this,
however, he was still afraid of the water
when he came to AbilityFirst,”
she continued.
“He didn’t want to get into the pool any
farther than the stairs. But one day when I
came to pick him up, and they told me that
T.J. was in the pool, I didn’t spot him right
away because I expected to see him sitting
on the side. Instead he was swimming
across the pool,” she added excitedly.
wonder
7FEATURET. J . MITCHELL/PROGRAM PARTICIPANTsmall
Continued on page 7
“It helps us see that we’re not the only ones
going through this,” Veronica said. “We’re
not alone.”
Whenever AbilityFirst has a fundraiser,
Tony added, “I go to my job and everybody
donates.” (With the help of his colleagues
at the limousine service where he works,
Tony raised more than $700 for this year’s
AbilityFirst annual Derby Day 5K Walk.)
The Mitchells do as much as they can
in support of AbilityFirst, because it’s
important “to help keep the Center going,”
he said. “AbilityFirst is T.J.’s safe haven. He
asks every day, ‘when can I go?’ It’s one
of the joys of his day. I wish we could do
more,” Tony stated.
The Mitchells encourage fellow AbilityFirst
parents to offer what support they can and
in addition, they make it their mission to
try to educate the public about the services
that AbilityFirst provides. “When we go
places and see other parents with children
with disabilities,” Veronica said, “we ask
them if they’ve heard about AbilityFirst.
We like to share our experience and talk
about how T.J. has come out of his shell
and how AbilityFirst is helping him. He
may be short to us, but to them he’s big in
stature,” said Veronica.
Next year, the Mitchells will decide if
T.J. is ready to experience summer camp
at Camp Paivika, AbilityFirst’s fully
wonder
8
adults with disabilities would
not have any resources. An
organization like AbilityFirst
is not only important, it’s vital,
and that’s why I serve on the
Board,” he continued.
Senior Vice President
& Deputy Group
Head, Corporate Social
Responsibility and President
& COO of the Union Bank
Foundation, Carl Ballton,
firmly agrees with his
colleague. “We encourage
all of our employees to get
“I am passionate about
volunteering,” Dominguez
said. “Union Bank encourages
us to commit to outreach in
our communities. There are no
words to describe the smiles
and the feedback we get,”
he continued.
“Our vision is to help create
and sustain healthy
communities,” said Ballton,
who serves on AbilityFirst’s
Capital Campaign Honorary
Committee—and like Cherry
is a personal donor as well.
Corporate partnerships
are a vital factor in
enabling AbilityFirst
to continue serving special
needs children and adults
throughout Southern
California.
For more than 30 years, Union
Bank has been a valued
corporate partner, making
a significant difference
through its long-term
generosity and commitment.
CORPORATE PARTNER: UNION BANK
“The bank chose AbilityFirst
Business Services first and
foremost because of the
quality of their work,”
said Ray C. Cherry, Union
Bank’s Vice President, Senior
Wealth Advisor.
“Shredding sensitive
information involving client
confidentiality is very serious.
Whoever provides that service
must meet all of the criteria
that we have in place. We’re
YEARpartnershipA recent $100,000 Union Bank
Foundation grant, payable
over three years in support
of AbilityFirst programs,
services, and annual Festival
of Fall fundraising event, is
the third such grant from the
bank since 2006. The bank
has also helped support the
annual Afternoon of Music &
Art benefit for the AbilityFirst
Harry A. Mier Center.
Additionally, Union Bank has
been a long-time AbilityFirst
Business Services client,
entrusting the organization’s
L.L. Frank Work Center with
the secure bag inspection,
sorting and confidential
shredding needs of its large
Monterey Park facility.
very pleased with AbilityFirst’s
level of quality and cost-
effectiveness,” Cherry said.
Union Bank senior executives
are also encouraged to serve
on AbilityFirst’s Board of
Directors. Cherry is a current
Board member, a personal
donor and Chair of the
AbilityFirst Capital Campaign
for the Joan and Harry A.
Mier Center.
“Volunteerism, in addition
to financial support, is an
integral part of Union Bank’s
philosophy of giving back,”
Cherry said “Were it not for
AbilityFirst and organizations
like it, many children and
involved,” said Ballton. “We
increasingly try to target our
volunteers with organizations
where we’ve had a long
history of support. It’s been
particularly important in this
time of economic challenges.
You don’t always have the
dollars you’d like to give, but
you can still help and be
involved,” he continued.
Oscar Dominguez, Union
Bank Vice President and
Branch Manager, Newhall and
Stevenson Ranch, has been
engaged in volunteer work for
20 years, counseling seniors,
youth, and special needs
adults about managing their
personal finances.
“With limited dollars we
can’t move the needle on
every issue, so we’re open
to partnering with other
organizations that are trying
to make a difference,”
he continued
“With the work that AbilityFirst
does and the population that
they serve, through their
facilities, affordable housing,
and services, AbilityFirst has
been a tremendous partner
for us.”
Board Member and Union Bank Vice President, Senior Wealth Advisor Ray Cherry. Union Bank has been partnering with AbilityFirst for the past 30 years.
SUCCESS STORY
all employees should be,” Pourtahmassebi
said. “At the Paul Weston Work Center,
the employees are given that respect. They
are seen as individuals.”
A major portion of the Do-A-Dot Art
job at the Center requires participants to
assemble bright, colorful paint markers
in sets and then in master cartons for
shipping to retailers.
Pourtahmassebi was initially concerned to
learn that visually impaired participants
were working on the project, “because
every set must contain a combination of
between four to six different colors,” she
said. But the Center’s system “works
beautifully,” she continued. “Each
participant puts a specific color in the
box and passes the box down to the next
person. The final participant in the line,
who is not visually impaired, is the quality
checker,” said Pourtahmassebi.
“It’s fast and efficient, it allows the whole
workshop to be involved, and the end
result is the same—it’s just excellent work.”
The Paul Weston Work Center has always
done packaging, assembling, “shrink wrap
and so on,” Briseno noted, “but with this
product, our participants have learned
what it means to send out retail items—
the process and the quality checking that
goes into it,” he said.
“It also engenders a high level of
enthusiasm at the Center,” he said. “When
our participants see Do-A-Dot Art’s
product in the store, they love it. They
How Assembling Art Kits Generates Purpose as Well as Profits
Do-A-Dot Art, the respected
creator of educational toys, art
kits, and child-friendly markers,
is celebrating its 20th anniversary this
year. The Westlake Village-based company,
founded by former preschool teacher
Tina Pourtahmassebi, is now a fixture in
the specialty toy and educational market.
Supplying over 3,000 retailers and 5,000
retail storefronts, it ships its popular
products all over the world.
Do-A-Dot Art’s choice for the assembly
and packaging of its signature paint
markers: AbilityFirst’s Paul Weston Work
Center in Woodland Hills. Since 2007,
Do-A-Dot Art’s year-round, high-volume
project has kept the Center busy, sparking
increased hiring and a significant rise in
productivity and contract revenue.
“The Center employs 75 disabled
participants and is growing significantly,”
said Director Richard Briseno. Do-A-Dot
Art “is one of our most consistent contracts
providing steady work and a reliable
income for our program participants,”
he continued.
AbilityFirst’s cost-efficient Business
Services and the Paul Weston Work Center
are a good fit for her company for many
reasons, Pourtahmassebi said.
“We have a family member with special
needs who has been at the Center for
two years now, and we love being able
to support that community, because
we know how much he loves the work,”
Pourtahmassebi said.
“But even more importantly, we value
their work ethic, dedication, and
professionalism. They just do a superior
job for us,” she continued.
Observing how Center staff treats the
AbilityFirst participant employees was also
a key factor.
“We wanted to know that the program
participants are treated with respect—as
9DO-A-DOT ART/PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
WAY TO SUCCESSA
Continued on page 11
caption
Work Center participant Deanna Cooper assembling a Do-A-Dot Art paint set.
10
April 13 – 15, 2012 • April 20 – 22, 2012
Treat yourself as we celebrate Moms! Come stay at our cozy cabins, relax, and escape from your daily responsibilities.
This exclusive weekend is designed to meet the needs of women dedicated to providing care and support to individuals with disabilities. Choose from a variety of activities and workshops including: Massage, Yoga, T’ai Chi, Crafts, informal group sessions, workshops, and much more, all while mingling with moms just like you!
Cost for the weekend is $200.00 which includes accommodations, meals, 30 minute massage and all activities. $50.00 deposit is required.
Register Today! RSVP: Kelly Kunsek at (909)-338-1102 x 5001
Camp Paivika 600 Playground Drive Crestline, CA 92325
MomsgetawayFOR C A R EGI V ER S
Rejuvenate • Relax • Revitalize
CAMP PAIVIKA
’
fun, food, friends11FUNDRAIS INGFESTIVAL OF FALL
Over $140,000 Raised at 37th Annual Gourmet Festival of Fall
The 37th Annual AbilityFirst Gourmet
Festival of Fall on October 2, 2011
was a great success! The event,
presented by Union Bank, raised over
$140,000 to benefit the Lawrence L. Frank
Center and the AbilityFirst Pasadena
Work Center. Over 400 AbilityFirst friends,
supporters, and civic and community
leaders were in attendance.
The Lawrence L. Frank Center, which
serves the San Gabriel Valley region
of Southern California, including the
communities of Pasadena, Glendale,
Arcadia, and Rosemead, offers
programs for children and adults with
developmental disabilities, such as autism,
cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. The
Pasadena Work Center provides many
business services including document
shredding, sorting, packaging, assembly,
fulfillment, and mailing—while
providing employment to adults with
developmental disabilities.
The luxurious event, which took place
at the beautiful historic Laurabelle A.
Robinson house in Pasadena, was hosted
by Mark and Phaedra Ledbetter, who
generously donated the use of their home
as a spectacular backdrop.
As a special treat, long time television
star and award-winning journalist, Jann
Carl, served as the mistress of ceremonies.
Lee Meriwether, honorary chair, was also
in attendance. Hundreds of guests were
spotted enjoying a lively and friendly
atmosphere as they roamed the grounds of
the beautiful estate savoring the delightful
and distinct cuisines presented by fine
restaurants and wineries. The Festival
of Fall event has become a destination
event for food and wine connoisseurs, and
featured wineries and breweries from all
over California along with a spectacular
culinary experience with dishes prepared
by more than 30 Pasadena restaurants.
Attendees also enjoyed the opportunity to
bid on extraordinary live auction packages
such as a one and a half hour police
helicopter ride-along, a Paso Robles wine
vacation, a San Diego extravaganza, a
celebrity dinner for ten catered by Lawry’s
Restaurants, and much more!
AbilityFirst would like to thank our
sponsors, vendors, staff, volunteers, and
the Festival of Fall Steering Committee for
their support and commitment to children
and adults with special needs.
See you at the 38th Annual Gourmet
Festival of Fall in 2012!
Continued from page 9
A COLORFUL WAY TO SUCCESS
come back and say ‘the box that we
worked on is on the shelf right now.’ They
take pride in their work and feel part of
the community,” Briseno stated.
“It’s great when we go into the Center, and
a participant comes up and says, ‘I got my
check today and I’m taking my girlfriend
to the movies,’ or ‘we’re going to dinner
tonight because we got our paycheck,’”
Pourtahmassebi added.
“Tina cares about what we do here,”
Briseno said. “She asks about our projects
and activities and brings in treats on
special days. When she walks in the
door, people greet her by name and say
‘thank you for the work—where’s the next
shipment of paint?’”
Pourtahmassebi was a preschool teacher
and a mom with young children when she
conceived Do-A-Dot Art. “That’s when
the inspiration for painting without the
mess hit me—our concept was no cups, no
brush, no mess, but all the creativity,” she
said. The company is still a family affair.
Her husband Rob is CEO of the company,
while the couple’s two daughters, Tiffany
and Tessa, are involved in marketing and
product design.
Do-A-Dot Art competes “head-to-head”
with such corporate giants such as Crayola
for retail shelf space, Pourtahmassebi
observed. “We’re a small company and it
can be an uphill battle, but somehow we
still shine through. Sometimes I think,
without getting way out there,” she added,
laughing, “that we’re blessed because
we have these wonderful workers that
care about our product. It’s as if their
energy just shines through each box,
Pourtahmassebi added.
“They are truly a huge asset for
our business.”
Richard R. Frank – Board Chair, Lori Gangemi – President and CEO of AbilityFirst, Lee Meriwether – Honorary Chair – Jann Carl, Mistress of Ceremonies, and Mark Fedde – Event Chair enjoy the 37th Annual Festival of Fall event.
12
show come together and to see how
proud and happy the parents are with
what their child has accomplished—it’s
tremendously rewarding.”
Tami’s involvement with the Musical
Theatre Program began more than 10
years ago, long before the Anaheim
Program, serving the North Orange
County region of Southern California,
took over the theatre production from
the City of Anaheim in 2008 in a
partnership that allows the Center to
use the city’s facilities.
“I started helping out when I saw how
much my kids loved being there,” said
Tami, whose daughter Sarah, who has a
developmental disability, still participates.
(Tami’s son Thomas, whose seizure
disorder is no longer acute, now serves
as an assistant director.) “They loved
learning dance steps and being actors. It
gave them an opportunity to do what they
couldn’t have done at most schools.”
“It’s amazing what the kids are able to take
on,” observed James Kissinger, Matthew’s
father. “But the staff is very good at what
they do. They get the best out of the kids
and everyone has a good time, too.”
Continued from page 5
BROADWAY BOUND
WITH
Patsy Sampson enjoys fashionable furs at the “Rainbows for Children” Fashion Show and Boutique in Long Beach.
styleAbilityFirst would like to thank all of our
sponsors and vendors for their support and
commitment to children and adults with
special needs. Additionally, AbilityFirst
would like to give a special thank you to
The Long Beach Center Guild, The Guild
Fashion Show Committee, and The Guild
Ways and Means Committee and Board
for their generosity, leadership, and hard
work. Members of The Guild have donated
years of generous financial support, as
well as made some heartfelt contributions
to the Long Beach Center, including: a
new children’s room, three new vans for
program transportation, funding for
the warm water aquatics program, and
much more.
Thank you to all those who made this
event possible, we hope to see you at the
2012 Rainbows for Children Fashion Show,
Luncheon, and Boutique!
The Long Beach Fashion Show Raises Over $70,000
More than 250 elegantly dressed
guests attended the Long
Beach Center Guild’s annual
Fashion Show, Luncheon and Boutique
on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at The
Grand Event Center in Long Beach. The
stylish event, which raised over $70,000
for the renovation of the AbilityFirst Long
Beach Center’s computer lab, will provide
program participants with much needed
technology skills.
Attendees bid feverishly on generously
donated silent and live auction items,
including: a Wine Country Vacation,
Bunco Party Package, Lawry’s Celebrity
Dinner, Champagne Luncheon, a
Cocktail party for twenty and much more.
Guests also enjoyed shopping for trendy
accessories, stylish clothing, and other
fashionable items offered for sale at the
boutique. Highlighting the afternoon was
an extraordinary fashion show hosted by
Couture Productions, featuring collections
from Couture Evening Collections,
Draper’s and Damon’s, and many more.
Special guests and models included: Ms.
Long Beach Latina, Perla Del Rio; Ms.
Long Beach, Briana Ricovv; Ms. Lakewood,
Meagan Garcia; Ms. Southern California,
Shana Smith; and Ms. California,
Jennifer Glava.
GivingContinued from page 4
CRISIS AVERTED
To honor this great victory, Taylor, and all
of his friends at AbilityFirst, celebrated
with California State Senator Liu on
October 20, 2011, as she joined dozens of
ecstatic AbilityFirst participants, parents,
board members and staff to celebrate
the passage of SB-309 at the Lawrence L.
Frank Center in Pasadena, California.
As gleaming participants presented
Senator Liu with gifts, big hugs and smiles,
cake and refreshments were served to
celebrate this exciting day.
1320Camp Paivika Cleanup Day is one of many
different events organized by LA5 that
directly benefit AbilityFirst.
AbilityFirst thanks the Los Angeles Rotary
Club for their invaluable volunteer services,
and their positive impact on the Camp
Paivika community.
serviceLA5:
Spotlighting the Work of Volunteers Throughout AbilityFirst
Unwilling to break a longstanding
20-year tradition, the Rotary Club
of Los Angeles, also known as
LA5, once again gathered to help prepare
AbilityFirst’s Camp Paivika for its summer
camping sessions. Through its Community
Service Committee, LA5 has a longstanding
tradition of charitable services.
In May 2011, over 50 LA5 members
arrived at Camp Paivika for the annual
Camp Paivika Cleanup Day. Each spring
these eager and enthusiastic volunteers
participate in a variety of tasks designed
to polish and revive the camp after a
long winter. During the day, volunteers
were asked to paint walls, prepare cabins,
garden, chop wood, and participate in a
general facility clean up.
“What was really great this year was that
LA5 also donated $2,500 for the supplies
needed for Cleanup Day,” said Camp
Paivika Director Kelly Kunsek.
YEARS OF
Members of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles hard at work during Camp Paivika Cleanup Day.
PROFILEROTARY CLUB OF LOS ANGELES/VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION
aroundAbilityFirst
14
1 The 2011-2012 AbilityFirst Board
of Directors pose for their first group
snapshot of the year.
2 Weston Work Center Director
Richard Briseno joins his AbilityFirst co-
workers Arturo Nunez and Juan Romero
as they enjoy a team building exercise
during the 2011 Staff Summit.
3 Lisa Duenas and Jonathan Nhean
collect paper money hoping to win
numerous raffle prizes at the 2011
Staff Summit.
4 Daphne Elizalde, AbilityFirst CFO
Steve Schultz, Linda Schultz, Housing
Board Member John Elizalde, and
AbilityFirst Board Member Randy Repp
enjoy the 37th Annual Festival of Fall.
5 Program participants Jimmy Trinh,
Andy Lam, Briana Diaz, Kaala Johnson,
and Raven Watlington gather outside the
Lawrence L. Frank Center at the SB-309
Celebration to raise awareness for the
Center’s Halloween Haunted House.
6 Program Supervisor Arshalous
Garlanian, guests Mel Assagai and
Natalie Champion of Strategic Counsel
Inc., and Associate Director Nafiseh
Arman, mix and mingle at the SB-309
Celebration.
1
6
3
2
54
around 15GALLERYFACES & PLACES
7 Camp Paivika campers and staff
celebrate crossing the finish line at the
2011 Derby Day Walk/Run.
8 AbilityFirst Camp Paivika camper,
Laura Cook, races through the finish line
as she completes her personal race during
the 2011 Derby Day 5K Walk/Run.
9 Dennis Hayes of CarMax presents
Lori Gangemi President and CEO
of AbilityFirst, and Cindy Valencia,
Director of the Anaheim Program, with
a generous $10,000 donation to support
AbilityFirst’s programs and services.
10 Mark Ledbetter and Pasadena
Chief of Police Phillip L. Sanchez take
a break for a snapshot during the 37th
Annual Festival of Fall event. The
event was hosted by Mark and Phaedra
Ledbetter at their home, the Laurabelle
A. Robinson House.
11 Award-winning journalist Jann Carl,
and AbilityFirst Board Member Mark
Fedde, enjoy a playful banter as they co-
host the Festival of Fall program.
12 Board Member Patricia Vick and
guest Allyse Brown take a moment to pose
for a picture as they enjoy their wine and
elegant appetizers during the luxurious
Festival of Fall event.
11
10
14
7
9
8
1312
13 Guild Member Jean Dayak, and
guests Arlene Fillius, and her sister
Dolores Homen, laugh as they mix and
mingle during the Long Beach Fashion
Show and Boutique.
14 Silent Auction Chair Liz Minor,
Vendor Chair Melina Morgan, Guild
President Annemarie Forster, and Guild
Vice President Patricia Randolph look
stylish as they enjoy the silent and live
auction packages at the Long Beach
Fashion Show and Boutique.
16
Continued from page 3
SHINING A LIGHT ON DISABILITIES
LEARNING TO SWIM IS EMPOWERING AbilityFirst has four Aquatic programs open to the community.
•ClaremontCenter
•HarryA.MierCenter(Inglewood)
•LawrenceL.Frank Center (Pasadena)
•LongBeachCenterWarm Water Exercise • Open Swim • Private & Group Swim Lessons.
For more information & schedules visit: www.abilityfirst.org/aquatics
them at the fire station, and even let them
try on their gear and explore a fire truck,”
said Monica.
Sheriff’s department personnel always
make sure that the kids have holiday treats
and gifts, “and they’ve raised money for
us and they volunteer at our events as well,
visiting with our kids and their families,”
Monica continued.
“I’ve been in East Los Angeles for 11 years
and I was surprised to learn that we had
a center that dealt with disabled kids,”
commented Captain Henry Romero of
the East L.A. Sheriff’s department, which
became involved with AbilityFirst four
years ago. “When we realized the amount
of work that they do, and what they do for
those kids, we wanted to become part of it,”
Romero continued.
Romero said that what impressed him
most about AbilityFirst is that “they are
working to give the kids the skills they
need to function and they don’t treat them
like they are disabled kids. Every time I go
to the Center,” he added, “I don’t think I
ever see anybody who is not smiling, and
that is due to the leadership. It has been
a blessing for us to be able to share with
them whatever of our resources that
we can.”
“It’s all about awareness,” Monica said.
“I’m very passionate about my job and I
want others to feel the same way.”
Continued from page 7
SMALL WONDER
accessible outdoor recreation facility in
the San Bernardino Mountains. “We
go camping every year with T.J., but
we’ll consider anything that involves
AbilityFirst,” Tony said firmly.
“I don’t know what we’d do without them.
Being at AbilityFirst has given T.J. a place
to go where he can enjoy himself and
not be looked at like he’s different. It’s a
level playing field. The children don’t feel
isolated. I know that has made a difference
in my child’s life. A major difference,”
Tony continued.
As they watch T.J. thrive and grow
with the development of his social and
communication skills, the Mitchells feel
hopeful for his future. “The sky’s the
limit,” Tony said. “We treat T.J. like any
normal child. He doesn’t know anything’s
wrong with him. I want him to achieve
everything he can in life,” said his
proud father.
“T.J. had open heart surgery when he
was only 7 months old and it was horrible,
but through the grace of God, he’s here.
He’s daddy’s little hero. I tell him that
every day.”
17CONNECTIONLOCATIONS AND LEADERSHIP
Headquarters1300 East Green StreetPasadena CA 91106-2606626.396.1010626.396.1021 [email protected]
Department ManagersPauline Avendaño, Sr. Director of Marketing
Laura Beck, Director of Human Resources
Joel Bronson, Director of Information Technology
Dan Detwiler, Facilities Manager
Syed Kazmi, Controller
Isis McDonald, Sr. Director of Business Services
Neomia Phillips, Director of Housing
Kelly Privitt, Sr. Director of Programs
Camp CAMP PAIVIKAKelly Kunsek, Directormail:PO Box 3367Crestline CA 92325location:600 Playground DriveCrestline CA 92322909.338.1102
Community CentersANAHEIM PROGRAMCindy Valencia, Director2660 West BroadwayAnaheim CA 92804714.821.7448
DirectoryCLAREMONT CENTERJulie Martin, Director480 South Indian Hill BoulevardClaremont CA 91711909.621.4727
EAST LOS ANGELES CENTERMonica Alcantar, Director154 North Gage AvenueLos Angeles CA 90063323.268.8178
HARRY A. MIER CENTERMonique Watts, Director8090 Crenshaw BoulevardInglewood CA 90305323.753.3101
LAWRENCE L. FRANK CENTERMichael Barkyoumb, Director201 South Kinneloa AvenuePasadena CA 91107626.449.5661
LONG BEACH CENTERBarbara Schlosser, Director3770 East Willow StreetLong Beach CA 90815562.426.6161
NEWPORT-MESA CENTERJoy Thomas, Directormail:PO Box 3985Costa Mesa, CA 92628location:1060 Paularino Avenue Room ACosta Mesa CA 92626714.546.6727
Employment ServicesEddie Zhang, Supported Employment Manager3447 Atlantic Avenue, 3rd floorLong Beach, CA 90807562.570.3667
HousingABILITYFIRST APARTMENTS HEMET1360 East Acacia StreetHemet CA 92544951.766.7089
ABILITYFIRST APARTMENTS IRVINE14501 Harvard AvenueIrvine, CA 92606949.559.5902
CROWN HOUSE3055 East Del Mar BoulevardPasadena, CA 91107626.440.9090
IVY GLEN APARTMENTS133 North Cedar StreetGlendale, CA 91206818.241.3888
LAKELAND MANOR APARTMENTS13331 Lakeland RoadSanta Fe Springs, CA 90605562.944.9650
MAPLE PARK APARTMENTS711 East Maple StreetGlendale, CA 91205818.507.1969
MORENO VALLEY APARTMENTS24545 Bay AvenueMoreno Valley, CA 92553951.247.0230
PACIFIC RIM APARTMENTS230 South Grevillea AvenueInglewood, CA 90301310.672.7221
RANCHO DEL VALLE APARTMENTS6560 Winnetka AvenueWoodland Hills, CA 91367818.347.1440
SEA BREEZE MANOR APARTMENTS2067 Alamitos AvenueSignal Hill, CA 90755562.494.9086
SIERRA ROSE3053 ½ East Del Mar BoulevardPasadena, CA 91107626.578.0118
VILLA MALAGA APARTMENTS4704 East Dozier StreetLos Angeles, CA 90022323.980.8402
Work CentersL.L. FRANK WORK CENTERFennie Washington, Director3812 South Grand AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90037213.748.7309
PASADENA WORK CENTERPeter Yoou, Director2570 East Foothill BoulevardPasadena, CA 91107626.449.5662
PAUL WESTON WORK CENTERRichard Briseño, Director 6530 Winnetka AvenueWoodland Hills, CA 91367818.884.5112
Board of DirectorsEXECUTIVE COMMITTEERichard R. Frank, ChairSteve Brockmeyer, Vice ChairBerlinda Fontenot-Jamerson, SecretaryJay Henneberry, TreasurerSanford “Sandy” L. Smith, At Large Member
MEMBERS
Rick M. ArcaroCharles F. Axelson, HonoraryRussell Burkett, HonoraryRay C. CherryMarshal Chuang, Honorary
LeadershipJim Douglass, HonoraryMark FeddeMaria FrenchRichard N. Frank, HonoraryWilliam HawkinsJohn KellyJon Kmett, HonoraryRalph Laster, HonoraryCarol LlewellynMordena MooreAndrew Peterson, HonoraryAngela J. ReddockRandy ReppDavid M. SeastromKenneth Simon, Honorary
Jonathan ThomasPatricia Vick
Honorary ChairpersonsJane KaczmarekLee MeriwetherJaclyn Smith
Housing Governance BoardJose Marquez, ChairAlbert Y.M. Huang, Vice ChairJohn Elizalde, TreasurerDavid Oesterreich, Secretary
MEMBERS
Barbara FeigaEstabrook “Skip” GlosserCarol LlewellynDarrin LyonsMichael PrabhuHerbert H. SimmonsMark TrabingBetty R. Wilson
CORPORATE OFFICERS
Lori E. Gangemi, President and CEOSteven Schultz, CFO
17
1300 East Green StreetPasadena, California 91106-2606
Non-Profit Org.US Postage
PAIDPasadena, CA
Permit No. 1138
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AND INSPIRED.GET INVOLVED
SANTA ANITA DERBY DAY 5K WALK/RUN SUPPORTING ABILITYFIRST
SANTA ANITA DERBY DAY 5K WALK/RUNSATURDAY-APRIL 7, 20126:00 AM PRE-EVENT ACTIVITIES 8 :15 AM WALK STARTS
Go to www.abilityfirst.org/5K for more information and to register today!
We graciously thank the Forest Lawn Foundation for their challenge grant.