Newsletter: August 2002

Crisis Due to Budget Impasse

Legislators are more than seven weeks late in the passage of California’s 2002/2003 budget. Since July 1, we have not received payment for our work services programs funded through the Department of Rehabilitation. In addition, the state has been unable to pay funds owed the Regional Centers, who, in turn pay us! Some Regional Centers, such as South Central, have stated they will shut down if funds are not restored (or they do not get an extension on their line of credit) by September 1. According to Executive Director Richard Pierce, even after the budget has been approved we will be faced with funding cuts over the next two years. These cuts include rate decreases and additional program closures during the upcomingholiday season. Contact your legislators and the Governor by writing a letter or calling and expressing your concerns.

2002 Annual Meeting

The Arc-South Bay’s 2002 Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. at the Adult Development Center in Hermosa Beach. Based on the information we collected from the surveys that asked you what kind of annual meeting you would find most meaningful, our featured program will highlight issues related to the Arc-US affiliation agreement. We will keep you informed as we get more details and information.

19 Years and 70 Bowlers Strong!

Never will you see a more remarkable group of people bowl with such seriousness, sportsmanship, and heart than at the 19th Annual Family Bowling Day, which was held on July 14th at the South Bay Bowl. The winners were…1st Place, Patrick and Michael Morgan; 2nd Place, Paul Belfy and Jeff Smith; 3rd Place, Judy Baron and Larry Vasquez; and Most Inspirational Bowlers, Keith Stevens and Opal Rich. Many thanks to our parent volunteers and members of the South Bay Rotary Sunrise Club for their participation. (After the event, the Rotary Club made a donation of $300 toward the bowling program.)

Sale of Office Building

In 1999 an office building was donated to The Arc-South Bay with the contingency that we keep the building for two years. In October of 2001 The Arc-South Bay fulfilled that obligation, prompting the Finance Committee to recommend selling the property at 2912 Marine Avenue, Gardena. The Board approved the recommendation and the building closed escrow in July of 2002.

New Van

The Arc-South Bay has purchased a much-needed new 12-passenger van with the help of donors like you. If you see our shiny new gold van give us a wave!

Coming Up:

• September 2 – Labor Day Holiday. All Arc-South Bay programs closed.
• September 14 – Saturday A.M. Bowling 2002-03 League begins, South Bay Bowl.
• September 26 – Arc-South Bay Board of Directors Meeting, 6 p.m., Gardena City Hall.