A letter from your president

Dear Arc-South Bay members, consumers and advocates of people with developmental disabilities:

The recent events in the Middle East have given me a greater sense of appreciation for living in the United States, where we have so much freedom. These events have reaffirmed my dedication to the population that we serve, and reassure me that what I do for others in need is one of the most satisfying and meaningful aspects of my life.  I am so very grateful for my family and loved ones, and for the good quality of our life.  Isn't that what we are all striving for, and shouldn't everyone try to be altruistic to those in need?

In these troubled times of State Budget shortfalls and a struggling economy, the future of The Arc-South Bay is unsure, and we will be faced with some difficult decisions in the very near future.  We are all grateful to you, our members and friends, in whom the Arc community relies for support. Could you imagine what the families would do without our services and all of the programs we offer to people with developmental disabilities? I hope that everyone takes a moment to reflect on the importance of these services and programs and then acts accordingly with their support.

I would like to thank the staff and Board of Directors for their continuous commitment to excellence, and all of the people who give their time, labor, and hard-earned money to make the quality of life better for those whom we serve. 

James Coleman, President

The Arc-South Bay

SOUTHWEST INDUSTRIES RECEIVES THREE-YEAR CARF ACCREDITATION

We are very pleased to announce that Southwest Industries has received the highest award from CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) – a three-year accreditation. In the 15-page survey report, CARF commended the organization in five areas:

• An active Board of Directors
• Community support
• Enthusiastic staff
• Outcomes management system
• Leadership of Board President

The report also noted, “In the following area Southwest Industries demonstrates exemplary conformance to the standards: There is a wide array of contractual work with varying levels of complexity for persons receiving services.”

The Arc services surveyed and accredited were:

• Organizational Employment Services (work activity center)
• Community Employment Services:
• Job Development
• Job-Site Training
• Job Supports

Congratulations to staff for a fine job, and especially to the Quality Assurance Team, who supervised the survey preparations: Judy Senter, Chair (Director, Admin. Services), Richard Pierce (Executive Director), Derek Benton (Manager of Community Employment Services), Elaine Mason (Rehabilitation Manager), and Dawn Sanchez (Production Manager).

SOUTHWEST HOUSE SPORTS NEW PAINT

Thanks to a hefty donation from Peter Hathaway of Scottsdale Arizona, the exterior trim at Southwest House received a fresh coat of paint. The improvement is a big “improvement”! Thanks, Peter.

LAWN AND JANITORIAL SERVICE AVAILABLE

Do you need a new lawn care service? How about janitorial? Southwest Industries’ Community Employment Services Department has a crew ready to help you!

Our lawn service crews can mow, edge, trim, weed, and overall clean up your yard. The janitorial crew will come to your business or home and dust, clean floors, bathrooms, and other general cleaning chores. Extended hours are available for the janitorial crew.

The lawn and janitorial program gives our individuals with developmental disabilities an opportunity to develop marketable skills and build self-esteem.

For prices and additional information, call Derek Benton at 310-532-6333, x232.

In Memoriam

Greg Burton. April 22, 2003. Greg was a true friend to people with developmental disabilities and will be missed. He is survived by his wife, former Board President Lyn O’Neill-Burton, son Matthew and daughter Chelsea.

Please help us at the fIREWORKS booth!!

Have we mentioned that we need YOUR help at our fireworks booth June 28-July 4th?? Just in case you didn’t get the message, we DESPERATELY need bodies to cashier, take orders, fill bags, etc. at the booth, particularly on July 3 and 4. There is a sign-up sheet enclosed in the newsletter. Please sign up and return it to the office, or call 310-532-6333, ext. 222, or email arcsobay@lafn.org. Thank you!

A TASTE OF ITALY

We are pleased to announce that The Arc-South Bay will be one of the beneficiaries of the So Cal Italian Festival August 2nd in Long Beach (Seaport Marina Hotel, 6400 East Pacific Coast Highway). The Festival will celebrate Italian music, food and culture. Activities planned include an Italian-style buffet dinner and dance, silent auction, Italian music and exhibits.

Tickets are: $35 adult (festival and dance) or $25 (festival only). Seniors are $25/$15. Children and teens are: $12/$7.

To order your tickets call: 562.677.7452.

Order online @ www.TicketWeb.com, or   charge by phone 866.468.3399.

Thanks to member J.B. Griffin for giving us this fundraising opportunity.

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE STATE BUDGET?!?

Unless you’ve been shipwrecked on a deserted island, you are aware of the financial crisis facing the State of California.  With the State Budget quickly approaching, our legislators are faced with the difficult task of making prudent financial decisions in the best interests of all.  If the not so distant past is an indicator, they may make their decisions along party lines, thereby extending the passage of the final budget beyond the due date.  There are many bills, amendments and proposals associated with this upcoming budget, news of which flood our e-mail box every day.  There seems to be no general consensus amongst them other than proposing major cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Service Delivery system.  Governor Davis will be issuing his May Revise (of the budget) soon and we can expect “the unexpected.”

We need our members to make contact with their legislative representatives through letters, e-mails, facsimiles and telephone calls. Tell your legislators how their proposed reductions will affect individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  Unfortunately, we cannot relay specific information as of this writing, due to the ever-changing nature of the budget negotiations.  Please contact Richard Pierce at The Arc-South Bay Administration Office (arcsobay-1@lafn.org) with your e-mail address and he will forward the daily budget updates and corresponding sample letters to you.  Thank you in advance for assisting with the letter writing campaign.

BOWLERS BRING HOME

MORE TROPHIES!

Fifteen bowlers represented the Saturday A.M. Bowling league in the Arc-California State Bowling Tournament May 3rd in Ontario, CA.  Having advanced through county and district tournaments, most bowlers would be thankful to just make it to the State Tournament, but not our group! They wanted it all - with each bowler coming home with trophy.  And the winners were:  Division 4, first place team of Judy Baron, Richard Meistrell, John Turrentine and Larry Thurman; Division 3, third place team of Cindy Curry, Arnold Dalton and Stephanie Stolze; Division 2, third place team of Jim Hansen, James Hurst, Mariusz Podpora and Debbie Spomer. Receiving the coveted Jean Jordan trophy for high scratch team game were Mike Bernhardt, Matthew McElroy, Kevin Sanders and Pam Spomer.  Way to go bowlers!

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

JULY – DECEMBER 2002

$10 - $49

Franklin, Costella

Sweeters, Wilber*

Watkins, Merv

$50 - $99

Kasukabe, Ken

Tractenberg, Elizabeth

$100 - $199

Kuehnle, Don and Joan *

Ungar, Lola *

Wong, Tom *

200 - $499

Hathaway, Floyd *

Pulver, Margret *

Star Horton Fund

Torres, Pedro *

$500 and up

Constant Family Charitable Gift Fund

DeNisi, Perry

Mohler, Gary

Mohler, Gladys *

Organizations and Companies:

B.E.D. Promotions

Biocorp North America

Cars 4 Causes

Coleman Connection, Inc.

Gardena Emblem Club

HB Women’s Club

Lutheran Church of Good Shepherd

North American Operation

Rotary Club of South Bay Sunrise

United Way, Inc.

(* Indicates Pledge Campaign)

Memorial Donations

In Memory of Elma Tucker

            Mary Ayer

In Memory of James Morgan Sr.

            Dorothy Brittnacher

            Opal Rich

            Donald Sadler

In Memory of Stephen Rich

            Sandra London

In Memory of Lenny Habif

            Juanita Harvey Family

In Memory of Arnold LeCesne Sr.

            Opal Rich

In Memory of Oren Deuschel

            Juanita Harvey Potluck Friends

In Honor of Dina and Bob Hendricks

            Sylvia Cameron

In-Kind Donations

All ADC-Gardena Parents – Holiday party

All ADC-Hermosa Parents - Holiday Party

Bernal, Carl

Buena Vista Restaurant

Chapman, Janet

Copland, Mark

D.J. Crazy Man

Dalton, Lee and Sheryl

Dodge, Warren & Peters

Dowsing, John 

Foster, Daryl & Pepsi Cola Inc.

HB Community Center

HB Playhouse

Hovsepian, Ken

Julie Huff

Kiwanis of Hermosa Valley

Mega Toys Inc.

Mira Costa Key Club

Mr. DeFoe

Mrs. Armstead

Mrs. Davis

Mrs. Grant

Mrs. Gray

Mrs. Lane

Mrs. Saterfield

Pigner, Mollie

Ralphs Grocery

Roach, Frankie

So Cal Water Co.

The Williams Home

Tucker, Alba

Uristeguoi, John

Uzzo, Sue

Von’s Pier Avenue, Hermosa

Woo, Judi

We have made every effort to include ALL donors. If we inadvertently missed you, please forgive us.