Leigh Baker - United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura and

Fall 2013
INDEPENDENT
Enjoy Life
As Eleanor Roosevelt stated “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to
the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
For children and adults with developmental disabilities to enjoy life often takes
more effort and requires relying on assistance from direct care staff, family members
and friends to experience life fully.
The dedicated staff at United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa
Barbara Counties (UCPLA) understands the need to experience the joy of life
and all it has to offer.
Because of the kindness of people like our readers, UCPLA is able to continue to
help individuals with developmental disabilities to “taste” the many experiences
life has to offer. Over the last few months there have been many reasons to smile,
cheer and celebrate life; from a high-five between two friends competing in the
Summer Games at the Thousand Oaks Adult Day Program; a UCPLA resident
artist greeting guests at the Washington Reid Gallery; a nuzzle from the guide
dog in-training as she greets one of her trainers at the Washington Place Adult
Day Program; the pride of a first-time book author having a reading of her book
at the Chatsworth Adult Day Program. These are just a few examples of the many
joyful moments that UCPLA’s generous supporters, like you, make possible yearround for children and adults with developmental disabilities. UCPLA hopes
the coming year will bring even more moments to enjoy life.
UCPLA Clients Lupe Herrera and Judith Lalley at the Thosand Oaks Day Program Annual
Summer Games.
Steve Remington with Claudia Kunin at the opening
reception for the Dream House Exhibition
Leigh Baker at the reading of her first book.
UCPLA Client Nicolas Canales participating in a service
dog training at Washington Place Adult Day Program.
A Message from the President and CEO
“Quality of life” is such a varied and personal choice. At United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles,
Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties (UCPLA) our dedicated and caring staff work with each
of the 1100 children, teens and adults that we serve each day to help them identify, express and
attain a quality of life that is fulfilling and satisfying. UCPLA wants to make our program
participants and their families feel that they are part of a larger community that is filled with
readily accessible resources, support, and social interaction options for the entire family.
UCPLA knows that empowering people with developmental disabilities is vital to their enjoyment
of a maximum quality of life, not just to the individual, but to their families, who want them to
thrive and succeed in a life of independence. There is no one-size-fits-all method to improve
quality of life. UCPLA currently has over 40 programs and services. Since our inception 68 years
ago, UCPLA has been growing, expanding, and tailoring our programs and services to meet the
varied needs and hopes of the children and adults living with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral
palsy and other disabilities with similar service needs.
We at UCPLA understand that to fundamentally change a person’s life is to really help them
see how they can change and live their own life with meaning and purpose regardless of ability.
UCPLA has over 600 direct care staff working side-by-side with the residents in our adult group
homes and independent living apartments, students in our adult day programs, and children in
our Respitality Program to give them opportunities to challenge their bodies and minds, and
open doors to meaningful social interactions within their neighborhoods and throughout their
community.
Thank you in advance for joining UCPLA in our mission to help to provide innovative
programming, dedicated staff and accessible environments so that the disabled children
and adults in our community can realize the joy that comes with living a life without limits.
Your continued contributions make a difference every day.
Sincerely,
Ronald S. Cohen, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Our Community Gets Involved
Having the flexibility to get in your car to go to doctors’
appointments, attend religious services, volunteer within the
community, or go to the movies is a modern luxury that is often
taken for granted. However, for people with developmental
disabilities, who require the use of a wheelchair, modern
transportation has not evolved enough. UCPLA needs to
purchase new and additional wheelchair accessible vehicles so
residents in our group homes have greater accessibility to their
communities.
On a lovely Sunday afternoon in July, guests attending La
Mobilité À Paris enjoyed a nostalgic and rare look at some of the
most beautiful French touring automobiles of the early 1900’s
from the private showroom of Merle and Peter Mullin. The
Mullin’s graciously opened their private collection in West Los
Angeles for this UCPLA fundraiser. Shirley and Ralph Shapiro
and Peter Shapiro hosted the Bastille Day themed event, which
raised over $65,000, allowing UCPLA to purchase a new
wheelchair accessible vehicle for our Harbor House group home
in Lomita, CA.
Peter and Merle Mullin with Peter Devereaux
For more photos from the event, visit our online gallery at
www.ucpla.org
Guests viewing the cars
Wheelchair accessible van for Harbor House
Ralph Shapiro and JJ Levenstein
Washington Reid Gallery in the UCPLA Spotlight
Located in the heart of Culver City’s Art District is UCPLA’s Washington Reid
Gallery. This fine art gallery exhibits the works of UCPLA studio artists, Los Angeles
area artists, and artists whose work connects with the UCPLA Community.
The Gallery is connected to UCPLA’s Washington Place Adult Day Program which
supports a vigorous community of working artists with a variety of developmental
challenges, such as autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy, whose perspective
is vital within the contemporary art world. UCPLA provides a unique access to a
large studio space and materials necessary to create art and maintain a comprehensive
and varied body of work. Visiting artists create unique workshops and exchange
important dialogue about contemporary art and art history.
Washington Reid Gallery is located at 6110 Washington Boulevard, Culver
City, and is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and you can visit
www.washingtonreidgallery.com for more information.
Employee Spotlight: Meet Veronica De Jesus
Veronica De Jesus is the Art Director for UCPLA and the Gallery Manager for the
Washington Reid Gallery.
UCPLA is so excited to have Veronica join the gallery. She received her Bachelor of
Fine Arts degree in 1998 from the San Francisco Art Institute. She then went on to
attain a Master in Fine Arts from UC Berkeley. She has been weaving her life and
her art practice into both community outreach and into experimental art spaces for
over 10 years.
As an artist, she is an educator who enjoys collaboration with members of the
community. She gains inspirations and renewed passion for art through her
interactions with individuals from different backgrounds and life situations. As an
educator she guides individuals and their talents to help them develop their autonomy
as artists. Over the years, Veronica has worked with a communities of varying degrees
of abilities and tries to find ways to bridge the social gaps that are encountered by
these individuals.
Recent Exhibits:
raconteurs
December 2012 – March 2013 (featured in the Independent Spring 2013 edition)
The exhibit featured the artistic storytelling of two UCPLA artists, Nicolas Canales and Dale Riley, along with professional
artist Aragna Ker.
UCPLA Washington Reid Gallery Exhibitions of 2013
Dream House – April 2013 – June 2013 – The solo exhibit featured the artistic
talents of Steve Remington
STEVE REMINGTON
DREAM HOUSE
Steve’s art is richly inspired by his mother and grandmother. Steve Remington’s
title for his exhibition, Dream House was inspired by a home purchased by his
mother. The family house was comprised of three bedrooms, two baths, a den, a
dining nook and a fireplace. On Saturdays, Steve’s family would sit together for a
steak and baked potato dinner.
Steve Remington’s show is a selection of paintings and drawings. Dream House is
Steve’s reflection of time spent from his adolescent years which helped shape his
character and build a foundation for his identity as an artist. Steve’s work is a visual
landscape filled with imagination and thoughtful intent.
Steve was born in East Los Angeles at White Memorial Hospital, although he
grew up in Dallas, Texas before moving back to California. He currently lives in
Culver City, CA. Steve has exhibited his artwork previously at the Santa Monica
Pier and for Washington Reid Gallery group exhibition, Blank Canvas.
t
r av e lin g
K a r en v eronica taylor
June 22 - august 13
Traveling – June 2013 – August 2013
Traveling is a solo exhibition by one of our artists-in-residence, Karen Veronica
Taylor. Karen’s work is inspired by her travels around Los Angeles and across the
country. Traveling, Karen’s title piece in the exhibit is based on her three crosscountry travels with her brother, Gregory, and her parents Aubrey and Emma
Taylor, during the mid-seventies. Karen, her brother, and her parents visited at
least thirty states throughout their journeys across the U.S.
Karen Veronica Taylor’s show was an exhibition of works on paper, canvas, wood,
and multimedia. Traveling offered a unique perspective on everyday travels. Karen
explores often overlooked elements of daily outings, such as advertisements, signs,
and street corners. At the same time bold and thoughtful, Karen’s work combines
recognizable images with unexpected colors and composition.
blank canvas 2
small spaces :: big ideas
WASHINGTON REID GALLERY IS
PLEASED TO PRESENT OUR SECOND
ANNUAL ‘BLANK CANVAS’ EXHIBITION
AND FUNDRAISER. ‘BLANK CANVAS’ IS
AN ENERGETIC AND DYNAMIC
COMMUNITY EXHIBITION THAT WILL FEATURE UP TO 300 ORIGINAL WORKS BY LOCAL ARTISTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND
UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF LOS ANGELES
ARTISTS, EACH MEASURING 6” X 6” INCHES
IN SIZE.
{ 6” x 6” }
opening reception on august 24
600 pm until 900 pm
Washington Reid Gallery
[ACTUAL SIZE]
Blank Canvas 2 – August 2013
UCPLA’s Washington Reid Gallery opened its second Annual “Blank Canvas 2
small spaces :: big ideas” exhibition on August 24, 2013. Veronica DeJesus and
Stephani Anderson-Stott, Director for Client Services, created a diverse and wide
ranging show.
Almost 300 works of art, each sized 6x6 inches, were submitted by local artists,
community members, UCPLA artists and staff members showcasing their creative
expressions. Visitors enjoyed a variety of drawings, paintings and collagen and had
the opportunity to meet several of the UCPLA artists. The event raised almost
$1,500 for art supplies for UCPLA’s artists in residence.
For more photos visit, www.ucpla.org.
News and Highlights from UCPLA’s Auxiliaries
Special Children’s League Recent Accomplishments
Each year, the members of Special Children’s League (SCL) South Bay
Committee are busy organizing An Affair to Remember, their annual luncheon
and bazaar, offering a silent auction and carefully selected vendors. A special
treat each year are the items offered at the SCL table, home-made goodies
like olallieberry jam, pickles, mustard and chutney. These delicacies usually sell
out before lunch. The countless hours the ladies are spending preparing the
event allowed them to give UCPLA a check for $40,000 and an additional
$13,420 for UCPlay Project sessions offered through the Palos Verdes School
District.
The members of the SCL Foothill Committee are successfully soliciting
friends and acquaintances with their Angel Letters, appealing to all Angels
and Potential Angels to support UCPLA. Donors will earn an invisible
halo. Last year’s letter campaign allowed SCL Foothill to give $11,000
to UCPLA’s general fund in addition more than $7,600 designated to the
Endowment Fund.
SCL Whittier Committee used the past year to evaluate activities and attract
new members. Instead of their traditional Zingo luncheon, the members
explored new, smaller events and venues. Some of them were quite successful;
Bunco Night will be repeated this fall by popular demand. The SCL Whittier
Committee was able to donate almost $9,000 to UCPLA. Most of their
donation is designated for the UCPlay Project in the Whittier School District.
Zingo will be back in March 2014.
Psi Delta Sigma’s Presentation to UCPLA and Beta Mu’s
“The Spirit of Giving Luncheon and Fashion Show”
Psi Delta Sigma has four active Chapters that organize a variety of events.
From a Day at the Races to Fashion Shows, from a Wine Tasting to a Comedy
Night, everyone can find an event to enjoy. The combined activities allowed
Psi Delta Sigma to present UCPLA with a checks totaling almost $76,000.
This is the second highest gift UCPLA ever received from Psi Delta Sigma
and includes a planned gift from Life Member Gloria Burke.
Psi Delta Sigma’s Beta Mu Chapter held its annual Luncheon and Fashion
show Spirit of Giving on October 26th, at the Holiday Inn in Torrance.
About 130 guests attended the event and Rick Dickert, Meteorologist for
Good Day LA, Fox 11 and Gigi Graciette, Newscaster, served as Emcees.
The fashion show, as always modeled by members and friends, introduced
Jockey’s Person-to-Person line.
The UCPLA Independence Jubilee
At the inaugural Independence Jubilee, members of the UCPLA community
came together to celebrate the extraordinary acts of kindness during the year
that have enriched, inspired and financially bolstered the 40 UCPLA programs.
The Independence Jubilee gave special recognition to the over 600 direct care
staff that support the children and adults with developmental disabilities and
allow them to reach the highest level of independence. Over $40,000 was raised
to provide for additional care taker hours for our residential, Community Living
Support and Adult Day Programs.
Jubilee
Ju
INDEPENDENCE
UCPLA thanks our sponsors of the Independence Jubilee
Jubilee Sponsors
Corporate Sponsor
Sue and Steve Cobin
Sandra and Peter Devereaux
Susan and Eric Smidt
American Business Bank
Photo by Lee Salem Photography
The Independence Jubilee also allowed UCPLA to recognize the two top performing teams from the World CP Challenge.
JJ Levenstein accepted the award on behalf of her team, JJ’s Road Warriors 2013, who took the most steps during the
month long event. Margarete Preusser, Laurie Bauman and Simee Schiffman accepted the award for Nick’s Fab 4,
who raised the most funds in the worldwide competition. To view more photos from the event, visit the photo gallery at
www.ucpla.org.
Peter Devereaux
Bruce and JJ Levenstein
Cathy and Peter Longo
Lena Longo
Maria Low Way
Kevin McCarthy
Leslie McDonald
Celeste and Thomas McLain
Jackie and Steve Monkarsh
Julie Newmar
Nancy Niparko
Margarete and Frank Preusser
Alexandra Rand and Merrit Adams
Ana I. Rivera
Nic and Tyler Robuck
Barbara and Derek Rogers
Karen and Nick Roxborough
Trisha and Keith Sarkisian
Carol and David Schindler
Lisa and Tom Schwartz
Megan and Steve Selig
Amy and Doug Simons
Cindy and Dan Smith
The Shapiro Family Charitable Foundation
Rick Stern
Frieda and Bill Surace
Michele Van Hirtum-Das and Aninda Das
Nancy and Jay Wahlgren
Laura and Andrew Wasser
Jere Yates
Marianne M. Younkheere
JJ Levinstein making sure Nick Roxborough was part of
the celebration
Photo by Ashley French Photography
Lori and Michael Allen
Lynn and Harold Barza
Shoshanna and Jack Berger
Marilyn and Ken Bettencourt
Susan and Roy Bittan
Caren and Joe Block
Teresa and Fred Bourgoise
Susan and Ronald Cohen
Cameron Cohen
Sue and Gary Coleman
Convaid, Inc.
Arthur Cook
Melissa and Sean Copeland
Megan Delperdang
Jaye and Neal Eigler
Tamara and Erdolo Eromo
Ron Fassler and Margaret Nagle
Fiona Forsyth
Michael and Sheryl Glowacki
Brandon Gross
Laverne and Rod Hagenbuch
Terry Hamermesh
Eleanor and James Hudson
Elana Irving
Mary and Dan James
Lorene Jaross
Makonnen `Kebede
Sharon Keith
Frances and Arthur Klein
Marcia and Ron Levenson
Photo by Lee Salem Photography
Additional Sponsors
Brian Kabateck and The E Street Band
keyboardist Roy Bittan
UCPLA’s Annual Employee Recognition Dinner
The Employee Recognition Dinner is one of the favorite events for, not only the employees being recognized for their
years of employment with UCPLA, but also the members of the UCPLA Board and management teams. It is an
opportunity to celebrate the incredible men and women who work diligently to ensure that our program participants and
residents enjoy the greatest quality of life. On Wednesday, October 16th everyone gathered at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard
to support each other and catch up with old friends. Ronald Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer along with
Peter Devereaux, Chairman of the Board of Directors handed out certificates to over 60 employees who attended the
event.
We share a list of the employees who celebrated a milestone in their career with UCPLA this year.
Jim Hudson, Nick Roxborough, Rick Stern and Ron Cohen
Kelly Chernega, Anita Espinoza, Tammy Chong, Ron Cohen, Kirsten Hansen,
Robyn Zelden, and Jovelle Quinonez
Terri Andersen, Valerie Simpson, Lupe Correlejo, Nancy Rocha, and Robert Casey
Donna Sheanin, Norma DeHaan, and Terri Lantz
Annual Employee Recognition Dinner Honorees
40 Years
Client Advocacy
Terri Lantz
Group Homes
Respitality
Linda Brown
Norma DeHaan
Donna Sheanin
Group Homes
Corporate
Martha Montanez
Dyana Lien
35 Years
30 Years
25 Years
Adult Day Progams
Group Homes
Jose Cabrera-Benitez
Guadalupe Servin
Monica Gonzalez
Elizabeth McLaughlin
Kathleen Peterson
Edmee Elmensdorp
Group Homes
Adult Day Progams
Community Living Services
Herminia Acoba
Gaylene Char
Isaias Olivera
Lydia Telebrico
Robbyn Wheelock
Jennifer Johnson
Jose Rivera
Andrea Elam
Concepcion Hernandez
Group Homes
15 Years
Adult Day Progams
Hernan Castro
Maria Diaz
Rosa Gonzalez
Gabriela Gutierrez
Barbara Jackson
Jeanette Prendiz
Antoine Chouloute
Group Homes
Adult Day Progams
Community Living Services
Joann Atkins
Maria Castillo
Rosa Castillo
Alejandra Lopez
Maria Meza
Martha Randolph
Selena Adway
Kisha Andrews
Michael Koroma
Patricia Soriano
Marcia Schwartz
Emine Daupi
Getajati Langley
Yusmery Lopez
Lilian Pereira
Valerie Simpson
Olga Vaez-Azizi
Group Homes
Marcela Austria
Ana Bonilla Nolasco
Jose Campos
Oscar Carballo
Ana Cornejo
Maura Castillejo
Dora Castro-Guzman
Virginia Camacho
Yolanda De Leon Lopez
Kearston Duplessis
Community Living Services
Julie Ippoliti
Esperanza Lemos
Martha Leon
Maria Lopez
Maria Medina
Sylvia Ortega
Carlos Perez
Norma Ramos Martinez
Rosary Reed
Lori Smith
Eduardo Alipio Arenas
Terri Andersen
Yesenia Carrillo
Robert Casey
Tammy Chong
Reginald Coffman
Lupe Corralejo
Anita Espinoza
Maria Juarez
Marianelly Lopez
Andrea Macias
Armi Manzano
Xochitl Quintero
Delores Rubio
Corporate
Adult Day Progams
Maria Avelar
Mario Contreras
Charmaine Hurtado
Amanda Lenssen
Olivia Karaolis
Lyudmila Kutakh
20 Years
Josephine Manabat
Stacy Mcgowan
Silvia Mendez-Ortiz
Victoria Ortega
Angela Padilla
John Perreira
Maria Rocha
Cecilia Ruiz
Sara Whittington
Cynthia Zisner
10 Years
5 Years
News from UCP Wheels for Humanity
UCP WHEELS FOR HUMANITY LAUNCHES
COMPREHENSIVE INITIATIVE IN EL SALVADOR
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, California (November 07, 2013) – UCP
Wheels for Humanity (UCP Wheels) is proud to announce the opening of
a new office in San Salvador, El Salvador, and the launch of a multifaceted
effort to increase access to assistive technology and physical therapy
for people with disabilities throughout the country. The United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) has granted $848,766
to the initiative’s therapy component, which will be complemented by
progressive wheelchair service trainings for healthcare providers and the
direct provision of wheelchairs to people in need.
There are an estimated 620,000 people with disabilities in El Salvador,
and 4% of the population is estimated to have become disabled due to the
13 years of armed conflict and gang-related violence that has followed. For
these individuals, access to a properly fitted wheelchair or other mobility
device is essential to their health and their family’s wellbeing, and physical
therapy can lead to increased independence and improved quality of life.
Yet there are approximately 465,000 people in El Salvador who need a
wheelchair and cannot access one, and from 2000-2005 there were only
118 physical therapists registered as working within the Salvadoran health
sector—constituting a ratio of 1 physical therapist per 5,254 individuals
who need one.
“We’re thrilled to be expanding our partnership with USAID to El
Salvador,” says Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ronald Cohen. “Our work
together in Indonesia has provided the opportunity for tens of thousands
of children to attend school, for adults to access employment, and for
elderly individuals to participate in their communities. There is great need
and opportunity for us to make a similar impact in El Salvador.”
And Dr. Cohen and his team have rallied some other world-class partners
to help with the effort. The UCLA/Orthopaedic Hospital Center for
Cerebral Palsy will be assisting with the creation of the physical therapy
training materials, and the Salvadoran Institute for the Rehabilitation of
Disabled Persons and the Protection Fund for the Disabled and Injured
as a Result of Armed Conflict will be the local organizations helping with
implementation.
“The program will constitute a significant shift in the way services for
people with disabilities are provided in El Salvador,” says Dr. Cohen,
“providing greater access to mobility and physical therapy nationwide.
Moreover, the program will be an opportunity to further test a model that
has global potential as a method for eliminating the impracticalities of
rehabilitative services within a broader developing country context. Who
knows where we’ll go next.”
Recent Highlights from UCP WORK, Inc.
The Group Supported Employment Program brings people with similar interests
and training needs together to fulfill contracts with public agencies and private
companies.
In these supported work sites, the program’s participants benefit by learning the
skills of a job, receiving the supervision and support of professional staff, working
in a supported community atmosphere and earning a meaningful wage.
It is important to note that the success rate of placing people with significant
disabilities in meaningful jobs is profound. Ultimately, the goal is to assist people
in freeing themselves from government-assisted living and in doing so taking
full ownership in their lives. The great news is…it is happening every day!
One example of the success of the Group Supported Employment Program is
the Santa Barbara Harbor Crew. This diverse group of 30-35 men and women
has a wide range of developmental and mental health disabilities. Since 1992, we
have been working 365 days a year to make sure Santa Barbara has one of the
prettiest and cleanest harbors in the world. Every day, rain or shine, we empty
about 200 trash and recycling cans, scrub two dozen showers and almost fifty
toilet stalls. We sweep the sidewalks, dust the storefronts, and polish the railings.
As we provide these janitorial services to the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront
Department, we get to work outside, among our friends and neighbors, and
alongside individuals without disabilities.
Supported employment like the Santa Barbara Harbor Crew is a springboard to
independence. Our program provides meaningful jobs while building competitive
work skills. The more independence we can foster, the less government subsidy
is needed.
For more information about UCP WORK, Inc., visit their website at
www.ucpworkinc.org
UCP Golf Classic 2013
On June 10, 2013 132 golfers met to at the Wilshire Country Club to play in the 17th Annual UCP Golf Classic to raise
funds for United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties (UCPLA). Dr. Alan Kessler, his
wife Ellen, and the Golf Classic Committee once again organized an outstanding event that raised over $420,000 for
UCPLA through sponsorships, player fees, and live and silent auction. Almost 40 volunteers welcomed golfers, handed
out tee prizes and assisted with the auction. Since its inception, the tournament has raised over $7.5 million for UCPLA.
During the auction, golfers and their guests donated $53,000 in support of UCPLA’s RESPITALITY Program, which
offers couples, single parents and guardians of children with developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience a
weekend vacation at a local hotel while their special needs child stays in the comfort of his or her own home, cared for by
an experienced care giver provided by UCPLA. To see more photos of this event, visit www.ucpla.org.
Tournament Winners:
UCPLA Corporate Challenge Cup:
Westside Pediatric Dental Group: Dr. Bernard Gross,
George Carney, Scott Nielsen and Hardy Warren
1st. Place, low net: Michael Glowacki, David Lindley,
John Tsuang and Michael Yang.
1st Place, low gross: Ron Cherney, Sanah Chung,
Ruston Imming and Michael Miskei
A special thank you goes to:
The Golf Classic Committee members for spending almost a year on planning, selecting prizes, and soliciting sponsors and auction items.
Our generous sponsors and donors, especially the Title Sponsors Hancock Park Associates, The Macdonald Foundation and Mercedes Benz of South Bay; Premiere Sponsor The Gores Group and Diamond Sponsor The Kessler Family.
All donors of auction items; without your generosity we could not have raised so much money.
Our volunteers who are essential in running the event
smoothly.
Knock Out Productions for their Event Management.
The Wilshire Country Club for hosting the
tournament.
Everyone who contributed to make this event
successful.
The 15th Annual Devon Stern/UCPLA Golf Tournament
In May, the Camarillo Springs wild fires threated the
Camarillo Springs Golf Course, the course that has been
home to the Devon Stern/UCPLA Golf Tournament
for the last 11 years. While the fires blackened the
hills surrounding the course, it stopped at the edge of
the property and the 15th Devon Stern/UCPLA Golf
Tournament went on as planned on July 28, 2013.
The tournament started in 1999 with one foursome, a
group of friends who decided to donate $25 each to the
Devon Stern Children’s Endowment Fund after playing
a round of golf. 15 years later, the tournament sold out
with 144 golfers and raised $45,500 this year.
Many of our generous sponsors have made it a tradition
to support this tournament each year. It wouldn’t seem
like the same tournament without a breakfast including
bagels and cream cheese donated by Art’s Deli in Studio
City, and an amazing trip provided by Wheel of Fortune
used as the grand prize in the raffle. This year long-time
supporters stepped up and gave even more. Maui Jim’s
continued to give the sunglasses for wining foursomes
and was also a major sponsor for the event. We welcomed
back our friends from Galpin Motors in Van Nuys who
provided the Mustang Convertible for the Hole in One.
No one won the car, but there is always next year! Galpin
Motors also donated a weekend rental of a mustang
convertible in a special drawing. The 7th hole would
not be nearly as much fun without the support of Castle
Brands, Inc., who stocked the bar. We are grateful for
CenterStaging’s generous raffle donation and want to
express our appreciation for all donors and supporters.
Volunteers are an important part of any special event and
the Devon Stern/ UCPLA Golf Tournament is lucky to
have several volunteers that participate every year. We
can’t imagine a tournament without Rene Mooshy’s
massages; the “Poker Girls” Karen Santos and Julia Shin
this year assisted by Rick Alcala and Tommy Cook;
and Logan Stern managing the raffle and selling raffle
tickets. Additional gratitude goes to Travis Todd and
Ruby Merdjanian, as well as Ed Nowakowski and Greg
Goguen, for efforts in setting-up course and refilling
supplies throughout the day.
To see photos from this year’s event visit our website
www.ucpla.org. Mark your calendars for the 16th
Devon Stern/UCPLA Golf Tournament on Sunday, July
20, 2014 at the Camarillo Springs Golf Course.
World CP Challenge — The Results Are In!
Our community really came together to support
UCPLA and the World CP Challenge this year.
Over 510 people participated in this virtual event
as either participants on teams or sponsors. We had
49 teams made up of a very diverse range of people
from all corners of the community – everyone from
junior high and high school students, local church
groups, board members, clients, families, friends, local
businesses and UCPLA staff members. They all came together from September
4th through October 2nd to get healthy, raise awareness about developmental
disabilities and raise funds to support cerebral palsy research and UCPLA’s 40
programs and services. The international, virtual event made a huge impact
worldwide by raising over $1,500,000, while locally UCPLA teams raised over
$42,000 and took the equivalent of 30,100,902 steps. And from this group,
we’ve heard some great stories of successes and inspiration. Some of the team
and individual highlights include:
The teams with the most steps taken and funds raised where recognized at our
inaugural Independence Jubilee: Event chairperson Dr. JJ Levenstein’s team,
JJ’s Road Warriors 2013, took 2,005,327 steps and Nick’s Fab 4, Nick
Roxborough’s team, raised over $14,000 (ranking them #1 in the world for
fundraising).
• Our friends at Convaid, Inc. had 7 teams participating! Lauri Jackson, a member
of Convaid’s Accounting Team, tallied the most steps at the organization – an
impressive 601,765. All the Convaid teams combined helped to raise almost
$3,500 for UCPLA’s programs and services.
• The Special Children’s League had 4 teams participating and chose the
UCPlay program as the focus of their efforts. The teams combined to take
nearly 1,650,000 steps.
• Mentored by board member, Ellen Kessler, Washington Place Adult Day
Program in Culver City formed 7 teams, including 30 clients. Together they
raised over $1,500 and took the equivalent of 3,749,576 steps
• Kevin Smith and his team, Newbury Park Bike Pros, joined to help drive
awareness to the Chatsworth Adult Development Center.
• Dina Garcia, former UCP Telethon poster child and current advocate for
people with developmental disabilities, formed The Brandsmen with her
parents and husband. They were in the top 5 for funds raised by UCPLA
teams.
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part! For more in-depth
participant stories, visit our Facebook page (facebook.com/ucpla). But don’t
put that pedometer away yet - we’re already looking forward to 2014 and hope
you’ll join us! For more information on how you can be a part of World CP
Challenge in 2014 contact UCPLA at development@ucpla.org.
Don’t Forget To Renew!
Raise up to $600/year per household through
the Ralphs Community Contribution Program
It’s that time of the year again! Support UCPLA
when you go to your local Ralphs store! If you have
a Ralphs Rewards card, cut out the card below and
follow the instructions.
o Do
t
s
g
n
i
Th
aners
Go To
Dry Cle
ids
Take K
cer
to Soc
ocery
Go Gr
to
Bread
$2.50
ing Eggs
Stop A
Donate
$4.00
Shopp
ank
t The B
Have this barcode swiped the next time you shop at Ralphs
along with your club card/phone number. A percentage of all
future purchases with your club card/phone number will go
to UCPLA. It’s as simple as that!
milk
UCPLA
$3.47
Cereal
$5.64
soda (12pk)
$5.00
$26.23
Fish Tuna
(@ $8.74/lb)
...............................................
Total:
$47.00
4% to UCPLA = $1.88
2013 UCPLA Holiday Cards
Exclusively designed cards
featuring client created artwork!
Have you started your holiday shopping? It doesn’t hurt
to get started a little early! UCPLA is rolling out our
annual Holiday Cards once again to offer you an affordable
selection of cards geared towards the upcoming holidays:
— Thanksgiving
— Hanukkah
— Christmas
We also have variety packages and if you require a
customized set, we can prepare that as well. All proceeds
will benefit UCPLA’s mission to provide a life without
limits to people with disabilities. Sending a UCPLA card
helps increase awareness about the challenges people with
developmental disabilities face.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Margarete Preusser
at donate@ucpla.org or by phone at (818)782-2211
Thank you for your support.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
VAN NUYS, CA
PERMIT#440
6430 Independence Avenue,
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(818)782-2211 | www.ucpla.org
Upcoming Events
Saturday – December 7, 2013
Conejo Recreation and Park District
“2013 Silver Starlight Ball”
Thousand Oaks, CA
February 28 – March 2, 2014 (Friday through Sunday)
Los Angeles Abilities Expo
Los Angeles Convention Center
Saturday – March 1, 2014
Psi Delta Sigma –Lamda Beta and Beta Chi Chapters
“Have a Heart for UCP” Luncheon and Fashion Show
Embassy Suites, Brea
Friday – March 14, 2014
SCL – Whittier – Zingo Party
Westridge Golf Club, La Habra
For a full list of calendar events, visit our website at
www.ucpla.org and click on the Calendar link.
Connect with us!
There are three ways to keep up with all
the latest news and events from UCPLA:
Find us on Facebook!
facebook.com/ucpla
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/ucpla
Our website has a new look!
Check it out at www.ucpla.org