Message from the President
Already it is August, and we’re gearing up for a busy and fun-filled fall!
This month, our ECF Art Centers are hosting a very special VIP Art Preview featuring amazing specially curated art from our four studios across Los Angeles. If you’ve attended this event in the past, you know what an exceptional opportunity it is to meet our talented artists, explore and purchase their inspired artwork and enjoy great wine, food and fun with other ECF supporters and art lovers. If you haven’t experienced this special Art Preview party before, please join us and get your tickets today—you won’t want to miss it!
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We are also so happy and excited this month to welcome students back to our ECF Kayne Eras School! Teachers, staff and administrators have been busy getting classrooms ready and creating experiential learning plans for the new school year that engage our students and ignite a joy in lifelong learning.
Many of you know that ECF Kayne Eras School is committed to providing our students individualized services, supports and enrichment opportunities that allow our students to experience success—increasing their academic, social and leadership skills—and inspiring their dreams for the future. We are dedicated to offering a wide range of experiences and opportunities to help our students discover and develop their unique talents and abilities. What you may not know is that these services and supports cost nearly $20,000 per student, per year, above the amount we receive from the school district.
Without your support, we simply cannot provide critical individualized learning, enrichment programs, behavioral, educational, and mental health therapy, safe and accessible transportation and more that our students need. I urge you to read about mark your calendars to join us for our first-ever Homecoming Celebration dance this fall, benefiting our school and students. It’s going to be a lot of fun and you’ll make a difference that lasts a lifetime for our students!
I’m looking forward to seeing you and thanking you personally on behalf of all the clients we serve at the upcoming VIP Art Preview, our Homecoming Celebration dance and many more exceptional events and celebrations ahead.
Warmly,
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Veronica Arteaga, LCSW
President & CEO
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ECF Welcomes TuLynn Smylie as Chief Operating Officer
ECF is pleased to announce the appointment of TuLynn Smylie as Chief Operating Officer.
As Chief Operating Officer TuLynn will oversee programs, human resources, finance, facilities and IT.
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TuLynn has an extensive background in Programs and Operations. She has worked in the nonprofit community for the past 20 years, in service to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, homelessness and poverty, and community health and wellness. Throughout her career prior to joining Exceptional Children’s Foundation, she has served as Executive Director (7.5 years), CEO (1.5 years), CPO (4.5 years), and Director of Administration/COO (4.5 years).
TuLynn loves to engage the community to better serve families and has served in leadership positions in a variety of local and statewide task forces and committees. TuLynn holds a BA degree from Columbia University and a law degree from UCLA School of Law.
“We are very excited to welcome TuLynn to ECF as a critical member of our executive team,” said ECF President and CEO Veronica Arteaga. “We look forward to her valued contributions as we advance our mission and impact for the future.”
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YOU'RE INVITED
Calling All Art Lovers! ECF Art Centers Presents 2024 VIP Art Preview
Don’t miss the ECF Art Centers’ VIP Art Preview, an exclusive opportunity to purchase art before our fall studio sales to the public begin.
Join us from 5 to 8 PM on Saturday, August 24th at the ECF Art Center’s South LA studio to view amazing paintings, prints, ceramics and more while enjoying delicious food and wine, and music by DJ Leonard. Valet parking will be provided.
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Tickets must be purchased in advance! Visit www.ecf.net/artsales to purchase your ticket, which includes a link to our Art Preview catalog offering early sales of works by select artists. Space is limited; don’t miss out! Sponsorships are also available, and we thank you for your support. | |
SAVE THE DATE!
Homecoming Celebration Sneaker Ball October 19th
to Benefit Students at Kayne Eras School
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Mark your calendars! You won't want to miss our Homecoming Celebration sneaker ball benefiting the students of ECF Kayne Eras School!
Break out your grooviest dance attire and best dancing sneakers for our first ever Homecoming dance on October 19th in the ECF Kayne Eras School gym, featuring dancing with DJ Quantum, fabulous food, a hosted bar, photo booth, live auction and raffle. The fun starts at 7 PM. Check out our unique sponsorship opportunities and purchase tickets at ecf.net/homecoming. See you on the dance floor!
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I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream!
This month, the children at the ECF Early Start Adams center were delighted to enjoy a delicious special summertime treat from Pinkberry. The event was made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Jauregui family, who kindly funded the visit for the second year in a row. The Early Start Adams program extends a heartfelt thank you to the Jauregui family for their continued support and kindness!
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Students at ECF Kayne Eras School enjoyed a day of friendly competition at the bowling alley before the end of summer school.
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ECF Volunteers Assist in Urban Farming | |
Participants in ECF’s Exceptional Community Connections program regularly volunteer at MudTown Farms, a project of Watts Labor Community Action Committee dedicated to restorative urban farming, community building, and education. ECF program volunteers sort and pack produce, ensuring that fresh, quality goods reach the community. Their involvement not only supports the farm but also provides an enriching opportunity to engage in the community and increase connections with nature and learn about cultivating food resources. | |
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ECF staff, board members and friends gathered recently for a luncheon to celebrate the career of Annual Giving Manager Lisa Kelly, who retired at the end of July after 24 years of exceptional service.
Lisa was originally hired in 2000 as a Kayne Eras School teacher’s assistant for the high school. Over the years at Kayne Eras School, she also served as a teacher in the middle school and then in the Enrichment computer lab. When Kayne Eras merged with ECF in 2008, Lisa joined the ECF Development department as a Development Associate and was later promoted to Annual Giving Manager. She has worn many hats, coordinating many ECF fundraising events, campaigns and donor relations activities.
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ECF President and CEO Veronica Arteaga thanked Lisa for her exceptional service to our clients, board members, donors – and to ECF’s mission, saying “You have many friends here. You have all the ECF family, always, and we all wish you the very best. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
"I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had to serve ECF's mission in so many different ways, and for the wonderful people I've worked with," said Lisa. "I looked forward to coming to work every day."
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Make a Plan to Leave a Legacy that Transforms Lives
Did you know that August is National Make-A-Will Month?
It’s the perfect time to be reminded to draft or update your will and to think about the profound impact a planned gift can make on the lives of individuals with special needs.
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A planned gift – such as naming ECF in your will or as a beneficiary of your retirement plan – is an easy and flexible way to make a gift that costs you nothing today while leaving a legacy for those we serve. To learn more, contact your financial advisor or Maxine Moshay at 310-773-9435 or mmoshay@ecf.net. | |
EXCEPTIONAL PARTNER
ECF thanks SoCalGas for their support for ECF Exceptional Works.
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ECF’s Exceptional Works program is a unique continuum of services that offer skill development, work training, on-site paid work experience and placement into community jobs—all creating Pathways to Employment. | |
WAYS TO GIVE
Monthly giving is the most convenient and effective way to help people with special needs all year round. Giving a little each month can add up to a significant annual donation and help you make an even bigger impact on the lives of children, students and adults who depend on us. Enroll in our Circle of Friends today at www.ecf.net/monthlygiving.
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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 | | | | |
