MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO
Welcome to the April issue of ECF Impact!
We’re celebrating spring at ECF and kicking off our critical Annual Campaign, “Creating Opportunities.”
I’m grateful to see every day across our programs the opportunities you make possible and the milestones the children, students and adults we serve accomplish with your support.
The programs and services we provide for nearly 4,000 clients and families each year are not only enriching—they are crucial to advancing the development of young children, successfully supporting and educating our students, and providing independence, fulfillment and empowerment to the adults who rely on us.
As you’ll learn more about below and throughout this campaign, we truly could not create the opportunities, the milestones, the successes, and the smiles without your annual support for the children and adults we serve every day.
With warmest gratitude,
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Veronica Arteaga, LCSW
President & CEO
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ECF ANNUAL CAMPAIGN – CREATE OPPORTUNITIES
Did You Know?
To provide the highest quality services to people of all ages with special needs, ECF must raise $2M in private funding annually to cover the exceptional programming that enhances our ability to help our participants reach milestones:
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A child’s first steps
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A student’s high school graduation
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An adult’s first paycheck
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And so much more!
You can make a difference! Make your best gift to create a future of promise and possibilities for children and adults with special needs. Join us to create opportunities today at www.ECF.net/donate. Thank you!
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Spotlight – Meet John
Gerald Duncan likes to be called John. Diagnosed with autism and mild intellectual disability, John joined ECF’s Exceptional Works program two years ago. Working with ECF’s Exceptional Packaging Solutions—he helps pack shipments for ECF’s partner, the Los Angeles Rams.
When he’s not working, John, along with other ECF clients, volunteers with ECF’s neighbor, the Social Justice Learning Institute, helping assemble food bags and loading boxes of produce that are distributed to the community.
Volunteering is a way of contributing that creates pride and a sense of belonging. It promotes important social and community connections, teaches life and work skills, and fosters independence, especially for people with special needs.
John’s special needs do not get in his way. He’s proud that he is working to help others, and says, “I want to help with the boxes and loading the trucks, and I like to volunteer because it’s good.”
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Special Guest Visits Exceptional Works Culinary Training Program
Participants in ECF’s Exceptional Works had a truly special experience recently, when our client Ricardo’s dad and cousin visited our Culinary Training program. They gave a fascinating demonstration on how to make bolillo and pan dulce. Ricardo’s dad was fun and engaging with the class, involving participants in every step of the process and creating a meaningful hands-on learning experience. Exceptional Works Culinary Training instructor Camille Creighton organized the enriching and heartwarming visit.
The experience carried a deep personal significance for Ricardo—his grandfather made a living selling bread in Mexico and passed down his knowledge and strong work ethic to his children, including Ricardo’s father. Remarkably, Ricardo’s father began learning the craft at just five years old and has continued his father’s legacy by teaching his own children.
| | Families at ECF Early Start Arleta gathered for a Spring Celebration, enjoying food and fun activities together. Balloon decorations were a gift from a grateful parent whose son Jayden previously graduated from the program. | | ECF Kayne Eras School students were recently visited by “Piglet” the deaf, blind, pink puppy. Piglet visited with four of his brothers and sisters to teach about understanding and acceptance for animals and people with disabilities. Students received posters, stickers, and books to continue spreading The Piglet Mindset of kindness and embracing differences. | | |
ECF In the Community
Visit with ECF at The Help Group’s 12th Annual Special Needs Resource Fair this Sunday, April 27th at 13164 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks, from 11 am – 2 pm! It’s a fun, free opportunity to discover valuable resources in Los Angeles for the special needs community. For more information, visit www.thehelpgroup.org/resource-fair.
| | Gabriela Kayakan and Norma Navarro shared information about ECF Early Start at the South Central Regional Vendor Fair. | | Join us as ECF Art Centers presents “May the 4Teenth,” featuring art inspired by the Star Wars franchise created by ECF artists, May 14th, at the San Pedro Art Center Project Space, 1125 S. Gaffey Street, San Pedro. The reception with artists is free, and begins at 11 a.m. See you there, and May the 4Teenth be with you! | | |
EXCEPTIONAL PARTNERS
ECF is grateful to Banc of California Charitable Foundation for their support for our Exceptional Works programs.
Exceptional Works provides a unique continuum of services that offer skills development, work training, on-site paid work experience and placement into community jobs—all creating Pathways to Employment.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn @ConnectWithECF
- Share our news on your organization’s social media and with your network of friends Tag friends, families, and local groups who could benefit from learning about ECF
- Share this link (insert email/newsletter signup link) and encourage others to join us! Donate today at www.ECF.net/donate!
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Join our Exceptional Team!
Exceptional Children’s Foundation is hiring now! Come be a part of our team and help to make a positive impact on the lives of our clients!
To learn about current employment opportunities, visit our ECF careers page, and discover more about what we do by visiting our LinkedIn careers page at www.linkedin.com\company\ConnectwithECF.
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FOLLOW US!
Show your support and help spread our mission by connecting with us on social media. Follow our page, like, love and share @ConnectwithECF
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