Creating opportunities for adults with disabilities since 1974
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FEBRUARY 2023 E-NEWSLETTER
A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hello Friends of Vocational Visions,

As a supporter of our organization and the services we provide for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Orange County, we know you get our mission. Many of you so generously gave your time in September to assist with our gala event, “Enchanted Evening.” Many also donated to that effort, as well as to our end of year fundraising appeal. We thank you so much for your generosity!

Beyond donations, there are other ways you can help us build our services and provide the best possible supports for those who need us. Here are a few valuable options to consider:

  • Become a member of the Vocational Visions Board of Directors. Our all-volunteer board provides the oversight and stewardship of the organization. We are looking to add new members to our dedicated board.
  • Come work for us at Vocational Visions. We have openings for several positions, and you can bring your skills and life experience to strengthen our organization.
  • Refer someone to apply for a Vocational Visions job. Even if you’re not looking for employment for yourself, maybe you know someone searching for a job with the benefits of helping others and a connection to a diverse and engaging group of people.
  • Hire one of our persons served. Many of you are community leaders, managers, or business owners – create a job opportunity for a pre-screened, qualified applicant with a disability. People we serve stay longer at their jobs, do great work, and are well-liked by coworkers and customers. 
  • Create volunteer opportunities. Many persons served in our programs are learning to access the community and gaining skills they can use in paid jobs, and volunteer work is a valuable experience for them. We are always looking for new ways for people in our programs to make a difference, whether volunteering at a library, soup kitchen, community garden, equestrian center – wherever volunteers are needed.
  • Did you know that we accept vehicle donations? Our staff work with third party sellers, and the net proceeds go directly to Vocational Visions. This is a great way to help build our mission, while moving that vehicle on to its “forever home.” Scroll down for more information on vehicle donations.

However you can support our organization and our mission, we thank you! You are helping us build a stronger future for the people we serve, and helping to create lives of independence and choice.
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Vocational Visions will be closed
Monday, Feb. 20 for Presidents Day
OSO FIT 5K FEB. 25
Run, walk, dance, cover the distance however you choose, but register for the Oso Fit 5K Fun Run & Community Health Fair in Mission Viejo at the Norman P. Murray Center on Saturday, Feb. 25. Register by 7 pm on Feb. 17 for $25, and your full $25 registration fee gets donated to Vocational Visions if you choose us from the drop down menu of non-profits during registration! After Feb. 17, registration cost increases to $35, but $25 of the fee still goes to Vocational Visions when you select us from the non-profit list.
DAY TRAINING ACTIVITY CENTER at ALAMBRE
Our Day Training Activity Center program at Alambre ("DTAC Alambre") provides opportunities for participants to improve living skills, to advocate for themselves, and to foster proper behavioral development. The primary goal of the program is to assist our participants to be as independent as possible through recreational activities and community integration, such as table-top activities, cooking classes, movies, morning exercises, arts and crafts, and community outings.
Our participants engage in these recreational activities with their assigned staff (independent facilitator) daily. They also take part in seasonal events throughout the year, such as baking cookies on Valentine Day, Luau in May, July 4th BBQ, pumpkin patches, and Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, etc. After all, we should all have the same opportunities to enjoy and experience different aspects of life.
So Many Generous Donations!
Our Year End Appeal fundraising brought in more than $21,000 from nearly 80 generous donors! Our thanks to everyone supporting Vocational Visions.

In addition, we received an amazing $22,000 donation from the estate of long-time Vocational Visions employee Ron Agal, who passed away in 2022 at age 73.

Like to make a donation to benefit Vocational Visions?
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Got an old car, truck, RV, boat, or even a plane you're looking to get rid of? Donate it to Vocational Visions! It's quick and easy, and we handle the pick up and paperwork at no charge to you. Plus, you can get a tax deduction once your donation sells, and all proceeds benefit Vocational Visions. Win-Win!
PICK UP THE MARCH 2023 EDITION
Pick up the March 2023 edition of Laguna Hills Living Magazine, where Vocational Visions is profiled. Our Supported Employment and Adult Development Programs are highlighted in the story -- our thanks to Laguna Hills Living Magazine.
Members of our Supported Employment team working at Montage Laguna Beach
Adult Development Program participant Andrew and job coach Shawn at Buy Buy Baby.
50th Anniversary Gala April 13, 2024
Vocational Visions celebrates its 50th Anniversary April 13, 2024
at the beautiful Aliso Viejo by Wedgewood event center.
Mark your calendars!
BUY GROCERIES AT RALPHS
EARN DONATIONS FOR VV
Shop for your groceries and earn donations for Vocational Visions! Simply link your free Ralphs Grocery Store shopper's card account to Vocational Visions as part of this program:


Then, swipe your shopper's card (or enter your associated phone number) during the checkout process and Ralphs will make a quarterly donation to us on your behalf.

It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up. Click on the link above or the image below to sign up and make a difference in an unassuming but important way.
Purchases excluded from earning a donation include: alcohol, tobacco, pharmacy, postage stamps, gift cards and gift certificates, CRV, fluid milk and milk products, lottery and promotional tickets, fuel and fuel center purchases.