Message from the President and CEO
Welcome to your March 2024 issue of ECF IMPACT!
I’m sure after our unusually wet winter many of you are looking forward as I am to the coming of spring—ready to see more of our California sunshine and enjoy opportunities for fun and friendship outdoors!
We can’t wait to see you and celebrate spring with some fun on the golf course at Oakmont Country Club March 18th for our 2nd annual ECF Golf Benefit! We’re looking forward to a great day of golf, fun contests, cocktails, dinner and most of all, the chance to be together and to thank you for your support that means so much to the children, adults, and families we serve.
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This month also is one designated to raising awareness and encouraging conversations of inclusion, equity and understanding that impact many members of our community: National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month; World Down Syndrome Day; Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day and more. By contributing to awareness, we advance inclusion that impacts and betters the world for all.
Our ECF services and programs are designed to provide tools for self-determination, and to maximize choices and opportunities for the people we serve. The high-quality services we provide each year make a difference that truly transforms their lives, and that’s why we reach out to ask you to join us in our Annual Campaign.
With your support, we are building a more inclusive future that impacts not only the thousands of children and adults with special needs we serve each year—but all of us, who are strengthened by every empowered and uniquely talented member of the community we share!
Thank you for making an investment in inclusion by making your gift to our Annual Campaign; and I hope to see you on the green at Oakmont as we “spring forward” for the future!
Warmly,
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Veronica Arteaga, LCSW
President & CEO
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ECF Annual Campaign Kicks Off to Support Services for Children and Adults with Special Needs
A Generous Match from ECF Board of Directors Doubles the Difference Your Gift Makes
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You can make a difference by donating to our Annual Campaign!
For 78 years, ECF has changed the lives of thousands of people with special needs. To honor our exceptional history, our generous board of directors will match every Annual Campaign gift. Your gift will go twice as far to help young children, students and adults with special needs learn, grow and succeed.
Take advantage of this special opportunity to double your impact -- give today at www.ecf.net/donate.
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Celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and we’re spotlighting ECF Art Centers’ artists Sabine Glanzman, who has been working at the ECF Art Centers since 2014 in our West Los Angeles studio; Will Carrillo, who works out of the Whittier studio; Christopher Akabuilo, working out of the South Los Angeles studio since 2011; and Tiffiny Boyd, who has worked at the Art Centers since 1990 and currently works out of the San Pedro studio. To learn more, view, and purchase art, visit www.ArtECF.org.
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ECF Early Start Program Manager Gabriela Kayacan and Assistant Program Manager Norma Navarro represented Early Start Adams at the Annual South Central LA Regional Center (SCLARC) Vendor Fair to share program services and recognize service coordinators. | |
ECF Students Work to Keep Beaches Beautiful | |
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ECF Kayne Eras School students headed out for another beautiful beach cleanup recently in Santa Monica. The cleanups take place throughout the school year and are one of the community service activities made possible with the generous support of the Milken Family Foundation.
“Service activities increase self-esteem and help our students develop a sense of citizenship, responsibility and connection with the community,” says Director of Arts and Student Development Joelene Walker. “They love doing it—making a difference they can see in the community!”
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Join us at the Los Angeles Abilities Expo!
We're excited to be a part of the 2024 Abilities Expo March 15-17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Swing by our booth #106 to say hello and learn more about ECF programs and services for young children, students, and adults with special needs!
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The Expo features resources, products and technology focused on increasing independence—and there will be lots of fun activities, including a meet-and-greet with a star of Disney’s Wish, an all-inclusive climbing wall, a slew of adaptive sports, fun dance opportunities, and more! Click here for free registration. | |
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Save the Date for the 2024 Epilepsy Walk, April 28th!
ECF will be at The Epilepsy Community Fair—part of the Epilepsy Walk Los Angeles Sunday, April 28th at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. It’s a great event raising awareness and providing information and resources for families affected by epilepsy. We hope to see you there!
For more information, visit EpilepsyLosAngeles.org.
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ECF Mental Health Services Provides Outreach and Support for Santa Monica College Students
ECF Mental Health Services Clinicians Oscar Castillo and Belinda Armenta recently participated in Start Up! – an event hosted at Santa Monica College to provide resources to prospective and current students. In addition to engaging with students about inquiries into our mental health program, they also handed out fun, interactive items to highlight how mental health symptoms and behaviors can be improved upon.
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ECF’s Mental Health Services works with Santa Monica College students that qualify for Mental Health services, and address symptoms and behaviors of school-related stress, depression, anxiety, interpersonal issues, and development of self-view. | |
The ECF Culinary Training team hosted a bagel baking workshop for a group of artists from our Art Center San Pedro studio. Everyone had fun learning and baking together—and enjoying the delicious final products! | |
EXCEPTIONAL PARTNERS
ECF thanks the Beverly Hills Rotary Club for their partnership supporting the objectives of our nonpublic TK-12 ECF Kayne Eras School, helping students with special needs develop the social, intellectual and emotional skills they need to learn at their fullest potential.
ECF also thanks Beverly Hills Rotarian Sponsor Fred Alavi, Managing Director at Excel Bank in Beverly Hills and a member of the ECF Board of Directors since 2004.
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ECF Art Center San Pedro Unveils New Mural
ECF artists at the Art Center San Pedro have been hard at work and are looking forward to celebrating the completion of their new mural with a ribbon cutting celebration! Please Join us at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 29th for the unveiling and refreshments at 1125 S. Gaffey, San Pedro 90731. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Donate Appreciated Stock
Making a gift of appreciated stock has great benefits – for you and ECF! You can deduct the stock’s full market value and there are no capital gains taxes. For more information contact Maxine Moshay at 310-773-9435 / mmoshay@ecf.net.
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Visit Us!
Want to learn more and see our programs in action? If you would like to visit and tour one of our program sites, please reach out to Lauren Rayner at lrayner@ecf.net or 310-773-9410 to schedule.
We look forward to seeing you!
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Exceptional Children’s Foundation is hiring!
Join our exceptional team and help to make a positive impact in the lives of children and adults with special needs.
To learn about current employment opportunities, please visit www.ECF.net/careers.
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Show your support and help spread our mission by connecting with us on social media. Follow our page, like, love and share @ConnectwithECF | | | | |
