Message from the President
Welcome to the May issue of ECF IMPACT!
We’ve had an exciting kick-off to spring at ECF, with many fun events, another exciting national recognition for one of our many exceptional employees, and our 8th Annual Exceptional Partners Luncheon honoring businesses and agencies partnering with us to create a more inclusive workforce and community.
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Throughout this month’s issue you will see the common thread that has transformed thousands of lives over 78 years and moves our mission forward—partnership.
You’ll read about our volunteer partners at Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities donating their time and resources to beautify our Early Start Arleta site; our longtime partners at SHARE, Inc., supporting our Kayne Eras School Experiential Learning program; a new Informational Forum on Special Needs Trusts for parents and families we’ll be hosting next month at ECF in partnership with New York Life Insurance Company—and much more.
Whether partners in providing training and employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, or those providing critical necessities for families with young children who have special needs, or the organizations and individuals who provide funding and donations that fuel and sustain our highest-quality programs and services throughout Los Angeles County—every partnership powers possibilities for the clients we serve who rely on us.
Thank you, and best wishes for a Happy Spring!
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Veronica Arteaga, LCSW
President & CEO
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY
Our Annual Campaign Supports Children and Adults with Special Needs
ECF’s Annual Campaign is our most important fundraising campaign of the year. Each year, we must raise $2,000,000 in private funding – and to meet our goal this year, we still need to raise $400,000 by June 30th.
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We need YOUR help to meet this fundraising goal. Every donation counts. With your gift, we can ensure that our vital programs continue to thrive and grow.
This year, ECF’s Board of Directors will match your gift -- doubling the difference your gift makes. Please donate to our Annual Campaign today!
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YOU'RE INVITED!
ECF Hosts Informational Forum on Special Needs Trusts for Family Members and Dependents with Special Needs
Join us for an Informational Forum on Special Needs Trusts Thursday, June 6th, at ECF Kayne Eras Center, 5350 Machado Road in Culver City. The event begins with networking from 5:00 – 5:30 PM followed by a panel from 5:30 – 7:00 PM.
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The forum panel will be moderated by Jory Rand, co-anchor, ABC7. Featured panelists are Steven P. Beltran, Senior Partner, Beltran, Beltran, Smith & MacKenzie, LLP; Jenny Chau, Partner, Law Offices of Hirji & Chau, LLP; Michelle Wolf, JLA Trust; Jennifer Joseph, Financial Services Professional, New York Life; and Samson Mulugeta, Director, Client Employment Services, Exceptional Children’s Foundation. | |
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The event is sponsored by Exceptional Children’s Foundation in partnership with New York Life Insurance Company.
Parking is free and light refreshments will be served. Click here to RSVP or contact MMoshay@ECF.net.
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BINGO!
The ECF Associates Board invites you to a night of Legendary Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s in West Hollywood, Wednesday June 12th, 7-9 p.m.!
Admission is just $20 for a night of fun and fundraising for ECF’s programs for children and adults with special needs. The event includes a live auction.
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ECF 8th Annual Exceptional Partners Luncheon Recognizes Local Partners Investing in Individuals with Special Needs
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We had an inspiring 8th Annual Exceptional Partners Awards Luncheon on April 24th, honoring ECF partners who create a more inclusive workforce through employment training, hiring and philanthropy.
Held at Killer Shrimp in Marina del Rey, the event was emceed by KCAL News reporter Kristine Lazar and featured a keynote address from Bryce McDonald, Chief of Staff, UCLA Football.
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Longtime ECF community partner and previous award honoree, the Los Angeles Rams, also announced a new partner initiative providing an annual employment opportunity for a selected ECF special education high school graduate as a member of their Rams Ambassador program. David Weingarten, Manager of Community Affairs and Engagement, and Elizabeth Salinas, Guest Experience Coordinator, presented a Rams game ball to this year’s Rams Ambassador, Anthony Brown, an ECF Class of 2023 graduate. Anthony did such a great job in his role working Rams home games at SoFi Stadium and special events with the organization, that the LA Rams have decided to make the offering annually to an ECF graduate.
Since 2016, the Rams have partnered with ECF’s Pathways to Employment Exceptional Packaging Solutions program in Inglewood, which provides adults with developmental disabilities skills training and paid work experience. The partnership has played a key role in creating jobs for adults with disabilities and raising awareness nationwide.
Following the special announcement and an inspiring keynote address, four ECF partners were recognized and presented with 2024 Exceptional Partner Awards for their exemplary efforts on behalf of the special needs community: Baby2Baby, Source America, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Los Angeles Passport Agency.
ECF also presented the 5th Annual Steven J. Rose Exceptional Culver City Partner Award to Kristin Larson, Vice President of Studio & Production Affairs at Sony Pictures Entertainment. The award recognizes an individual who has helped to shape the future of Culver City and strengthen its business community.
ECF thanks all of our generous luncheon sponsors and guests for helping us to celebrate our exceptional and inspiring partners!
Click here to view a Flickr album of photos from the event.
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Emcee Kristine Lazar, CBS/KCAL 9 | |
Anthony receives a game ball from the Rams for his outstanding work as a game day ambassador. | |
ECF Manager Renay Jackson Receives National Council of SourceAmerica Employers (NCSE) Management Excellence Award | |
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Renay Jackson, ECF Exceptional Works Custodial Services Manager, was presented with a National Council of SourceAmerica Employers (NCSE) Management Excellence Award this month at the annual XForce National Conference in Florida.
Renay was recognized for his excellence in leadership, commitment to highest-quality services, and his impact on the lives of adults challenged with developmental disabilities.
SourceAmerica connects government customers and other organizations to a national network of AbilityOneTM authorized providers that hire people with disabilities.
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As ECF's Custodial Services Manager at the West Los Angeles Federal Building, an AbilityOne contract, Renay supervises a crew of 14 janitors with developmental disabilities and three job coaches. He oversees the day-to-day custodial operations, contract compliance and quality assurance standards, and the custodial operations unit at the West Los Angeles Federal Building. His team has been called “the Gold Standard” by SourceAmerica Manager, Account Services GSA/Civilian Michael Smith.
“Through his leadership and demonstrated excellence, Renay has positively and profoundly impacted the lives of the client workers he manages, who earn competitive wages and fair health and welfare benefits that empower them and increase their independence,” says Samson Mulugeta, ECF Director of Client Employment Services, and himself a recipient of the 2019 NCSE Management Excellence Award. "We are thrilled to see him honored with this well-deserved award!”
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Los Angeles Trial Lawyers' Charities Beautify Early Start Site in Arleta | |
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On April 30th, the final day of Autism Awareness Month, Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities (LATLC) volunteers joined families at ECF’s Arleta Early Start Program site to do some spring planting and beautification, while sharing lots of smiles and fun.
LATLC's mission is to make a difference in our community through financial grants and volunteer service.
LATLC previously landscaped the back playground at our Arleta site and this year decided to make the entrance more inviting to everyone. They purchased a new patio dining set and together with the families filled four oak barrels with colorful butterfly bushes and geraniums while the children decorated their own flower pots and played with bubbles. Families were also treated to a delicious taco lunch.
Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to work and play together as we created and celebrated our beautiful new entrance, along with a new season of possibilities for the young children and families we serve. Thank you LATLC!
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Art Lovers and Star Wars Fans Enjoy "May the 4th" Tribute Show | |
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We had a great turnout at the ECF Art Centers' San Pedro studio for the Star Wars themed show, “May The 4th Be With You”— including a visit from the team at The Lucas Museum!
What started out as small idea to create artwork for May the 4th, quickly became a well thought out, artist-driven gallery presentation.
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Over a dozen artists from multiple ECF studios participated! The artists had a great time helping to install the artwork, running the refreshment table, and filling our visitors in on their creative processes.
Thank you to all who came out for your support and to all of the staff that helped contribute to the making of this intergalactic presentation!
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ECF staff shared information on our programs and met lots of new friends at the Epilepsy Walk Los Angeles at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Visitors also had an opportunity to view and purchase artwork created by artists in our ECF Art Centers, with proceeds benefiting our programs and artists. | |
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ECF is grateful to our longstanding partners, SHARE, Inc., for their generous support for the Experiential Learning and Educational Therapy programs at ECF Kayne Eras School.
ECF’s nonpublic special education Kayne Eras School (KES) helps TK-12 students develop the social, intellectual, emotional and academic skills they need to learn at their fullest potential. KES Experiential Learning empowers students to explore and achieve, increases their academic and social skills and helps them discover joy in learning.
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Help Us Meet Our Goal - Give to the Annual Campaign Today
Make a difference by making a gift to ECF’s Annual Campaign to create a future of promise and possibilities for children and adults with special needs. Your one-time or monthly gift will be doubled thanks to a generous match by our ECF Board of Directors! Give today at https://ecf.net/donate/.
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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 | | | | |
