Get ready for the launch of our 6th Annual THANK Y♥️U Campaign, providing critical funds for TASC's clients and services. Inspired by the words we hear so often, from the families that want to ensure TASC services continue, the THANK Y♥️U Campaign directly funds high-quality services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Every donation goes toward providing education, job-training, independent living services, and more.

To provide a donation to TASC today, please go to: weblink.donorperfect.com/TYTASC

THANK Y♥️U for your ongoing support of TASC! 

Meet Our TASC Board of Directors Series

In this edition of the "Meet Our Board" series, we introduce you to David Uranga! David has been a part of TASC's board for 8 years!

Read more about David and his participation on TASC's board, below. To the right is a photo of David.

Tell us a little about yourself:

I am a professor of political science and a father to Miss Judyth Marie Oliver since 1999. I married into an immediate family in 2002 and have never been happier. Judy is a client of the NVLRC with her condition being Spina Bifida and hydrocephalous among other ailments.

I have been a community college professor for 35 years, at Pasadena City College primarily, but all over the San Fernando region. I grew up in East Los Angeles, raised by two very proud Mexican American parents Jason and Alicia who passed away last year. They raised me to care about my education and my faith: Roman Catholicism. I went to Don Bosco Technical Institute, UCLA and finally transferred to Cal State Northridge and found my true academic calling within political science. Mentors from CSUN helped me become their top pupil and hence in 1987, after graduating from CSUN with my BA, I was called upon to teach at CSUN on an emergency basis!

After becoming a professor at the age of 26 and with a BA, all colleges began to recruit me to teach at Glendale CC, College of the Canyons, and conduct a teaching assistantship at UCLA in political science. Pasadena CC contacted me and hired me in 1990.

I met Judyth Oliver in 1999 and fell in love with Jennifer Jordan and Ellie Oliver as well. For over 20 years, I have been a devout advocate for her as her father. 

Why do you serve on TASC’s Board of Directors? 

I joined the board to become a Parental Advocate for all clients, representing TASC clients each and every time we meet.

What is the best thing about serving on TASC’s Board?

My best reason for being on the board is to provide the parent's point of view for the current board members. 

What are your future hopes for TASC? 

My future hope would be to increase the number of board members who are parents and to increase legislative advocacy for TASC in Sacramento.

What is one surprising or fun fact about you to share with our TASC readers?

I have been called the Hispanic version of Mr. Robin Williams. Quite an honor for me throughout my career.

Direct Support Professionals

Recognition Week

Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week was September 11-17, 2022. To celebrate, TASC planned different activities for each day of the week, including breakfast, handing out certificates of appreciation, DSP T-shirts, thank you cards from clients, and more!

TASC is so appreciative of our DSPs. They are the heart and soul of everything we do to support people with disabilities living their most independent and meaningful lives.

Sunday, October 23

Event: The Hidden World 5k-10k Fun Run/Walk

Pace Run for a Cause is holding a fun run/walk benefitting those with invisible disabilities and promoting a more inclusive world for them.

The walk will be held at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center. Teams and individuals of all abilities are welcome! To enter, register here. 

Monday, October 31

Event: TASC Escape the Farm Event

There will be Halloween-themed activities taking place for clients at the Sanctuary on Monday, October 31.

The activities will include games, goodie bags, costumes, and more!

Donations for pre-packaged food or wrapped candy are welcome!

Thursday, November 30

Event: TASC's Virtual Benefit Concert

TASC is hosting a virtual benefit concert on November 30 from 7PM – 8PM!

The concert is free with a suggested donation. You can RSVP here. More information about our featured artists to come. We'd love to see you there!

Program Closures: In observance of Veteran's Day on Friday, November 11 and Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 25-26, TASC offices and Day Programs will be closed.

Disability Employment Awareness Month

The federal effort to recognize people with disabilities began in 1945, when Congress declared the first week in October to be “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” The word “physically” was dropped in 1962 to include individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week and named the month of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. 

In recognition of the vital role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive workforce, this year's theme for NDEAM is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” We celebrate NDEAM because employment is a human right. Here at TASC, we believe that everyone who wants to contribute to the community through paid work can do so. Employment helps one gain a sense of pride and self-satisfaction by reaffirming that they can support themself. Not only does employment foster inclusivity, having a job gives people with disabilities dignity, respect, and independence.