Relay for Life Baldwin Hills 2012

A Special Invitation to All of Our Special Families Who Have Been Affected by Cancer

Don't miss your chance to be a part of history! Join Special Needs Network on Saturday, June 23 for 2012 Relay for Life Baldwin Hills - a unique relay-style event that brings together teams of people to camp out for a walkathon. Gather a group of friends and family and join Team SNN 1 in 88 for fun, excitement, and an all-around good time while raising awareness for cancer and funds for the American Cancer Society's patient service programs, advocacy and community education, and cancer research.

This is a 24-hour-optional event and you are welcome to stay for one hour or the full 24 hours, as we will have members participating in various activities throughout the day.

With the ultimate goal of eliminating cancer, the American Cancer Society has funded more cancer research than any other private organization in the country. 

Help Us Fight Back Against Cancer by Joining 'SNN 1 in 88' at the Rally to raise funds and awareness.

To join our team, please contact Lisette Duarte at 213-389-7100 or email Lisette@specialneedsnetwork.org. If you would like to make a donation, please make check out to American Cancer Donation and send it to 3530 Wilshire Blvd. #1670, Los Angeles, CA 90010 or bring directly to the event.

4th Annual Pink Pump Affair Stuns and Inspires

On Sunday, May 20th, Over 250 of Los Angeles' most influential women dressed in pink pumps attended the sold-out 4th Annual Pink Pump Affair, at the beautiful Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills for an afternoon of empowerment and inspiration.

Generously sponsored by Toyota, Walmart, Wells Fargo, Broadway Federal Bank, Martin & Martin LLP, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Bob Blake & Associates Inc. and LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, the event provided women an opportunity for networking and bonding, while raising money to send children with special needs and their siblings to summer camp.

The afternoon began with the President's Reception, where SNN President and Co-Founder Areva Martin, Esq. gathered with honorees, sponsors, and past Women of Distinction honorees to kick off the fabulous afternoon. Following the reception, the afternoon continued with a silent auction and high tea, while guests were treated to a runway fashion show featuring Single by Galina Sobolev. The fashion show closed with show-stopper, celebrity model Toccara Jones from America's Next Top Model.

The afternoon came to a close as SNN honored individuals who have made tremendous contributions to the community and have helped to raise awareness and funds for special needs children. 

Click here to read the full story. 

Summer Youth Employment 

We are currently looking for enthusiastic and positive youth counselors ages 16-24 to work at the 3rd Annual Camp JPAC. This is a unique opportunity for motivated youths ages 16 to 24 who are looking for rewarding summer work while gaining valuable and practical skills in the fields of developmental disabilities, health sciences, psychology, speech and language pathology, and education. Selected youth camp counselors receive over 25 hours of training including career planning, college readiness, leadership, and working with special needs children.

Camp JPAC Application Deadline Approaching

We are only a few days away from the application deadline for the 3rd Annual Camp JPAC, the only FREE summer inclusion camp in Los Angeles for special needs children and their typically-developing siblings and peers ages 5 to 16. Get your application in before it is too late. Apply at  www.specialneedsnetwork.org or call our office at (213) 389-7100.

SNN in Action: Rally in Sacramento!

SNN Parents Take Advocacy Training to the Next Level at Rally in Sacramento

With the planned 7% cut of IHSS, domestic and related services for more than a quarter million IHSS recipients will be cut. Jobs of caretakers and the health and well-being of clients are on the line. This includes children and adults with autism and related developmental disabilities, as well as the elderly and other individuals with a wide range of physical and mental disorders who currently depend on specialized in-home care.

This was OUR issue, OUR families, and OUR time to make OUR voices heard.

For pictures of the event, please visit our Facebook at www.facebook.com/snnla 

Special Education School Accepting New Students

The Special Education School at Junior Blind is currently accepting new students. The state-certified, non-public school serves students ages 3-22 with moderate to severe disabilities, such as autism, blindness/visual impairment, cerebral palsy, developmental delays and other health impairments.

Students do not have to be visually impaired to attend.

The Special Education School counts on a highly specialized team of educators and professionals and offers many unique benefits on its campus, including:

• Student-to-staff ratio of 2:1
• Registered nurse on campus all day
• 4-week extended school year
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Language and speech therapy
• Behavioral intervention
• Socialization opportunities
• Weekly field trips

For a tour or more information about the Special Education School at Junior Blind, please call (323) 295-4555 or visit www.juniorblind.org 

 FREE Seminar Presented by Junior Blind 

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Advocacy and Financial Planning for Children and Adults with Special Needs

Presenters: Jeffrey A. Gottlieb, Esq., Special Needs Attorney and  

Saturday, August 18, 2012 

RSVP by Wednesday, August 15, 2012 

Upcoming Events

June 17, 2012

SNN President Areva Martin Speaks at the Family of Faith Church in Compton