Creating opportunities for adults with disabilities since 1974
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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It was my hope that, by this time, I would be able to let everyone know a date when Vocational Visions would be reopening but we just don’t have any direction for this from the Department of Developmental Services, Regional Center of Orange County, Community Care Licensing, or other county / local leadership. Despite our facilities being shuttered, our staff continue to provide engaging activities and support to our clients. The creativity and dedication of our staff is so heartwarming and I am so proud of their accomplishments during this unique and challenging time.
The COVID-19 pandemic certainly presents so many challenges to our organization going forward but compounding this is the state of California budget proposal to reduce our payments in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020. Reductions in some programs are proposed at 7.5% and in others as much as 14%. These reductions will further complicate the reopening process. The CA State Senate and CA State Assembly have rejected the proposed funding reductions and now Governor Newsom needs to be convinced. An additional $14B has been requested in federal funds to prevent these reductions but there is no certainty that these funds will be provided in full or in part.
Despite these challenges, we remain committed to reopening and faithfully living our mission. We look forward to welcoming our clients and staff back to whatever the new normal will be!
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We may not know the date of our reopening but we know it's coming and we're getting ready for it.
We also know that, for the foreseeable future, we're all going to have to wear face masks at Vocational Visions. We feel very blessed to have received a generous donation of 400 beautiful and colorful washable cloth masks from a wonderful group called
RSM Face Mask Volunteers
.
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RSM Face Mask Volunteers
is a community-based grassroots group of volunteers working together to sew and distribute cloth mask donations to our military, front line emergency / medical providers and to underserved communities, both locally and beyond.
This group formed when just one person, Jenn Paige, had a small idea to make a big difference. Jenn posted her idea to get volunteers together to collectively make face masks for donations on her local city's Facebook group page.
9 weeks later, her endeavor has amassed 220 volunteers and resulted in the donations of over 26,000 face masks to 225 organizations. These numbers grow daily.
One of the volunteers is Jenn's 20 year old son, Nick, who has
Prader-Willi Syndrome
. He cuts while his mom sews.
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Jenn says - "This project keeps us focused on being helpers during this difficult time."
We extend our sincere gratitude to Jenn, Nick and all of the awesome people at
RSM Face Mask Volunteers.
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PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT - IGOR SOLOS
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In this issue, we are highlighting Igor Solos who has been attending our ADP Program since 2016. Below is one of his favorite quotes.
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“Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.”
- Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
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Here, Igor shares one of his great passions in his own words:
Everyone has a talent. One person enjoys writing lyrics and poems, while another is good at drawing or singing. I found my passion in ceramics.
My name is Igor Solos and I enjoy making ceramic pieces. My hobby started when I was about seven years old and attended a weekend art and pottery school. Working with clay allows me to relax and be creative. It helps me to see the world in a different and artistic way.
I have made about 40 - 50 pieces. I’ve lost track since quite a few of them have already been sold.
I continue taking ceramics classes at Saddleback College and actively participate in the college's annual student art sale.
I think that ceramics is a fun way to express myself and to develop my fine motor skills. I believe that my hobby has helped me to understand that art is not easy, but is a very rewarding and fun experience.
My dream is to have some of my pieces displayed in a museum.
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Here's the story behind three of my pieces that you see in the collage above:
Building of the Future:
As part of a class project, I used my own imagination to design a hotel of the future. The yellow windows represent the light on in the rooms at nighttime.
Tall Vase with Flowers:
As part of a class project, we had to make a vase with an obstruction in the middle so the flowers would fit on the sides of the obstruction. I decided to turn the hollow obstruction in the middle into a bird nest. Believe it or not, this vase weighs about 40 pounds.
Penguin Creamer:
I am fond of birds so I modeled my creamer cups after penguins. I sold three of them and kept one that I still use today.
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT - LAURA FORSYTHE
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We would like to formally welcome Laura Forsythe to Vocational Visio
ns. Laura joined us in mid February of this year. Laura is the Program Manager for DTAC Alambre and Emeritus where she coordinates daily programming, helps develops staff skills and provides compassionate leadership.
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Laura began her work in social services when studying for her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Spanish at the University of Portland in Oregon. There, she started work in the anti-violence and nonprofit fields as an advocate for families experiencing domestic and sexual violence.
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While serving as a Program Coordinator, Laura learned that change starts from the top and works down through leadership. She went on to receive her Master's Degree in Urban Leadership and Policy Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and has been focused on compas- sionate and trauma-informed leadership ever since.
Laura is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and is excited to explore Southern California living with her
fiancé
and daughter. Together they love to explore the outdoors, beaches, and any live music they can find. When being outside is not possible, they spend family time together playing video games and cooking their favorite Mexican foods. Laura wants to live in a world where every person feels safe, heard, and loved.
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BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - HILARY HURT
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Our organization is blessed to be served by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors (BOD). This month, we're highlighting our current Vice Chairperson, Hilary Hurt, who has served on our BOD for ~ 10 years now. Let's get to know more about Hilary below:
Question:
Time is a valuable commodity. What inspired you to dedicate some of your valuable time to Vocational Visions (VV)?
Answer:
After I joined the family business in 2010, it allowed me more flexibility with my time. My father, Richard Trillwood, then suggested that I join the board. He was a long-time supporter and board member of VV, until his passing in 2016.
My sister Frances has attended the programs at VV for over 20 years. Since I am her co-conservator, it became a natural succession for me to contribute my time to VV.
__________________
Question:
What line of work are you in?
Answer:
I am the Sales Manager in our family business, Electron Beam Engineering, Inc., located in Anaheim. For 30 years, we have provided electron beam and laser welding services for the aerospace, medical, sensor, oil and gas and automotive industries.
In 1981, as a teenager, my family emigrated from the UK to Southern California, with my father bringing along his extensive knowledge of manufacturing of electron beam welding equipment. Although he has since passed away, our job shop remains nationally recognized for providing specialized electron beam and laser welding services for small precision components.
__________________
Question:
Have you ever volunteered or worked with people with disabilities in the past?
Answer:
I have not worked or volunteered with people with disabilities outside of VV.
My experiences have centered around my sister. I was 4 years old when she was born so I have many years of understanding the challenges of her disability.
With regards to my volunteer work with VV, I really don’t get to see many of the participants very often. This is why I love being a part of the annual Enchanted Evening events which I have attended for years. It is so moving and impactful to watch the choreographed group dance performance by the participants. I have a sister who attends VV and, of course, I’m really connected to her. But when I watch the group all dressed up in their costumes and expressing themselves so joyfully, I feel such a strong connection with each and every participant Vocational Visions serves.
__________________
Question:
What is a quote about life that really resonates with you?
Answer:
“Is this the hill you really want to die on?"
I don’t know where I picked this up but, along my journey of 56 years, I’ve found a great deal of happiness in learning to be flexible and understanding. When I ask myself this question, I always come up with the same answer - "NO!"
__________________
This year, Vocational Visions nominated our amazing partnership with
Electron Beam Engineering, Inc
., Hilary's company, for the OneOC Spirit of Volunteerism Giving is Living Award.
Thank you Hilary and Electron Beam Engineering, Inc. for all that you do for
Vocational Visions
.
Stay tuned to see which board member we will shine our Q & A spotlight on in next month's e-news.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO MERCY GORDON
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We would like to extend our congratulations to Mercy Gordon, our Alambre Senior Manager. She submitted a winning proposal for a grant opportunity from the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
Our Alambre building will be receiving
$90,000
of grant funding which, per the approval guidelines, must be used toward the purchase of
company vehicles to provide more individualized community outings for our participants
.
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THANK YOU TO GREEN THUMB NURSERY
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We would like to say thank you to Green Thumb Nursery for the terrific donations provided to our on-site vegetable garden over the years. ADP Job Coach Anna Maria Cox who started our Garden Club in 2014 says - "Cindy from Green Thumb Nursery texts me whenever she has plants to donate. She is wonderful."
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Green Thumb Nursery is a family owned business. The first location opened in 1946 in
Canoga Park
. Today, there are 5 locations. Stop by the Lake Forest location and say hi to Cindy and the other Garden Experts.
When we reached out to thank the Bergquist Family who owns Green Thumb Nursery, Bud Bergquist had this to say - "You're very welcome. We are all together on the planet and now we need to help one another more than ever. Thank you for what Vocational Visions does for our community."
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Here is a picture of donated tomato plants in our vegetable garden:
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An extension of our Garden Club program is our cooking classes where participants pick the vegetables and help to prepare delicious healthy dishes such as Ratatouille, Eggplant Parmesan, Cobb Salad, Potato Patties and Chicken Adobe. Shown is a
picture of the Ratatouille dish.
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ENCHANTED EVENING 2020
RESCHEDULED TO 2021
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Due to COVID-19, our Enchanted Evening for 2020 has been canceled.
Our next Enchanted Evening event is scheduled for
April 24, 2021
using the same theme we selected for 2020. Mark you calendars. We hope to see you there.
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Summer breeze
makes me feel fine
blowing through the jasmine in my mind
- Jim Seals and Dash Crofts
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Saturday, June 20, 2020, is the official first day of summer!
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Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month
Autistic Pride Day
Board of Director's Meeting
Independence Day (observed) *
Empowering Possibilities Giving Day
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Entire month of June
June 18, 2020
June 24, 2020
July 3, 2020
July 16, 2020
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*
Vocational Visions is closed on this day
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Enchanted Evening 2021
Saturday, April 24, 2021
Hyatt Regency
John Wayne Airport, Newport Beach
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Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to us.
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