Saving Lives, Changing Lives and Building Hope for Children and Families in Family-Like Settings October 2007

Ettie Lee Foster Child AwardedPrestigious ScholarshipMarcy* has been awarded a scholarship to theSummer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) at UCLA

Marcy, age 9, and hersister Ginny*, age 8,have been living with

foster parents, Dolores andRaleigh Littles Jr. and theirson Raleigh III, age 10, forjust over one year now.

Dolores and Raleighrealized very shortly afterthe girls came to live withthem that they were verysmart and talented. Sosmart and talented thatMarcy’s teacher, Mrs.Battles, of the AzusaUnufied School Districtapplied for the prestigiousaward at UCLA for Marcy.The process was a long onethat included interviews,s c o r e s a t t h e 9 5 t hpercentile and written

letters of recommendations from Marcy’s teachers. Membership is open to high abilitystudents, grades 4-11, seeking exciting educational opportunities, searching forchallenging ways to develop their talents, and hoping to interact with creative andtalented peers like themselves. The program’s mission is to connect gifted and talentedchildren and youth to opportunities, resources and recognition.

In May, Marcy and her foster family were given the good news. For three weeks thissummer, Marcy, will be attending UCLA’s Summer Institute for the Gifted Program.There are only 25 of these scholarships awarded each year in the whole United States!

Her foster parents are very proud of her. In the year since Marcy and Ginny havelived with the Littles, they have encouraged both of the girls to do the best that theycan at whatever they try. Marcy takes swimming lessons, is a cheerleader and draws,sings and dances whenever she has a chance. They both fit so very well in the Littles’Remember Ettie Lee Youth & Family

Services when you designate yourUnited Way gift.

B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s

Ronald J. Bateman, Chairman

Louis R. Fisher, Vice Chairman

Joyce C. Wing, Secretary

James Jay Smith, Treasurer

Walter Allen IIIMichael Bellman

Jack CaswellGrant W. Christensen

Pat GilesJoseph J. Grigg

Ronald A. KnightLeora Marcheschi

Carmen PerryNorma Provencio

Rick Yelinek

President & CEOClayton L. Downey

See SCHOLARSHIP page 4

Dolores and Raleigh realized very shortly after the girls came tolive with them that they were very smart and talented.

ETTIE LEE YOUTH & FAMILY Servicesprovides the following servicesfor abused, abandoned andneglected children:•Nurturing, loving environments,

for boys 8-17, in 9 group homes•A network of more than 35 loving

foster families•Permanent placement for boys

and girls of all ages•Fully accredited substance abuse

treatment•Outpatient after-school mental

health programs•Evidence-based treatment program

*These are not their real names. They have been changed to protect their privacy.

The Littles family on a beautiful Saturday afternoon—left-right, Raleigh III,Marcy, Raleigh II (dad), Dolores (mom) and Ginny.

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Ettie Lee’s Fireside www.ettielee.org 2

She has raised two of her own kids,and she has ‘adopted’ the troubledkids at Ettie Lee Youth & Family

Services.She was not always able to give. She

was raised in a middle class family. Herfirst marriage ended in divorce andshe and her two children were forcedto live on welfare. Linda knows firsthand the importance of giving back tomake a difference in people’s lives.

During this time Linda, a singlemom, raised her two children andearned a Bachelor of Arts in AppliedArts and Sciences. She graduatedCum Laude and received an award of

merit for Overall Academic distinctionin the area of Metal Technology.

When she and her secondhusband’s business became verysuccessful in the 1990’s, they both tookpleasure in giving back to organi-zations they believed in. It was duringthis time that she was able to start tocollect art. “I have always loved to havebeautiful art all around me. Iappreciate it so much and I find it veryinspirational,” remarked Linda.

As a patron of the arts, Linda hassat on the board of directors at the LuxArt Institute, an up and cominginstitute for artists in Encinitas, Calif.,since 2000. The Lux Institute workswith living artists allowing thecommunity to watch and engage in thecreative process. Linda is also a majorsupporter of Ettie Lee Youth & FamilyServices.

During the 1990’s our Board Chairand Linda’s brother, Ron Bateman,introduced Ettie Lee to Linda. In1999, Linda pledged half of what itwould cost to fully overhaul ouroutdated technology—$150,000.Grantors funded the balance. Since

From the President’s Desk

When we asked, YOU made itvery clear that you wantedEttie Lee Youth & Family

Services to be able to impact futuregenerations. You did this byfinancially supporting the upgradeof our computer hardware andsoftware. We knew that with aproject of this size (Ettie Leeneeded to raise more than$300,000) it would be a few yearsbefore we could raise such a largesum of money. Some of you startedgiving in 2004 and others asrecently as 2006.

In 2006 we started to purchasethe necessary software andhardware. Then we started meetingwith the experts at Anasazi ClientData Systems. During many face-to-face meetings our teams have builta comprehensive client data systemthat talks the Ettie Lee language.The treatment staff will be able toutilize the client data system toimprove their efficiency and be ableto spend more time with our clients.

This could not have beenpossible without your support.Want to see the results of all of thehard work? Give me a call at 626-960-4861. We’d love to give you apersonal demonstration!

We will beable to spendmore timewith theresidents!

Linda Brandes is someone wewould like you to knowTwo of her passions are kids and artClayton Downey

Walter Allen (center), former Mayor of Covina andcurrently a Covina City Council member wasappointed to sit on the Board of Directors for EttieLee Youth & Family Services in 2007.“With his background rooted in service, most recentlywith his appointment to the California YouthAuthority (CYA), Walt Allen is an asset to our Board,”remarked Ron Bateman, Ettie Lee’s Board Chairman.“Walt understands our mission and our youth. Hewill help us to facilitate the success we have had inchanging lives and building productive citizens.” Heis flanked by Board Members Norma Provencio(right) and Lou Fisher (left).

Ron Knight (left) joined Ettie Lee Youth & FamilyServices Board in 2006. This Southern Californianative is a CPA, holds his JD from Western States anda PhD from UCLA. “Due to Ron’s expertise in Estateand Financial Planning and his ability to raise fundsfor Ettie Lee his board appointment was a natural forus,” said Ron Bateman (right), Ettie Lee’s BoardChairman.

Oct07 9/17/07 9:16 AM Page 2

3 www.ettielee.org Ettie Lee’s Fireside

then Linda’s generosity has allowed usto proceed with the much needed,overdue, major interior and exteriorupgrades to our 9 homes-more than$500,000.

Linda resides in Rancho Santa Fe,California with her dogs Jack andLucy, and when she is not helpingunderprivileged children, fullyengrossed with Lux or traveling, shespends time with her 2 grandchildren.

CALLING ALL PAST RESIDENTS

D e v e l o p m e n t C o r n e r

Congress took an important stepto strengthen American’s re-tirement system while also

encouraging additional charitablegiving. The Pension Protection Actof 2006 (PPA) may offer you anopportunity for tax-free charitablegiving in 2007.

Making gifts from IRA funds thatwould be subject to tax if withdrawnvoluntarily or under mandatorywithdrawal requirements may bewise for many this year.

The Pension Protection Act of2006 gives those at least 701/2 years ofage the opportunity to helpovercome some of these challengesby making tax-free charitable gifts.

Congress allowed these in-dividuals in 2006, and will allowthese individuals again in 2007with traditional or Roth IRA’s tomake tax-free gifts directly toqualified charities such as Ettie LeeYouth & Family Services. Donorsmay choose to make charitabledistributions in any amount up to$100,000 in 2007, if you so desired.A couple with separate IRAs couldeach give up to that amount.

You must complete yourtransaction prior to December 31,2007. Check with your advisorsabout the best ways to takeadvantage of this giving opportunity.

Keep in mind we would bepleased to assist you in any waypossible. Please feel free to call VickiMastro at 626-960-4861 with yourquestions.

New Law BringsNew OpportunitiesSecond year law is in effect

WE INVITE all past residents ofEttie Lee Youth & FamilyServices to get in touch with us.

We would like very much to know whatyou are up to these days and to getsome sense of how Ettie Lee influencedyour life. We would also like to keepyou up to date on all that is happeningat Ettie Lee. In order for us to do this,please send your name and address to:

Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services

5146 N. Maine

Box 339

Baldwin Park, CA 91706

Attn: Vicki Mastro

Or you can call 626-960-4861

or

email vicki_m@ettielee.org

Plan ahead and order your holiday cardstoday and help children who have beenabused, neglected or abandoned. EttieLee Youth & Family Services is nowoffering a package of 12 cards (4designs) that feature original designscreated by our very own children. Thecards 5x7, printed in full color,are only $10 per package.

For more information or to place yourorder: CALL 626-960-4861

You can also order by mail. Pleasecomplete information below:

Payment: ❑ Check ❑ MC ❑ Visa

Credit card number ____________________________________ Exp. date______________________

Your signature _________________________________________________________________________

Name__________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________

City _______________________________________ State ____________ Zip ____________________

Phone _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Email_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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Oct07 9/17/07 9:16 AM Page 3

Ettie Lee’s Fireside www.ettielee.org 4

SCHOLARSHIP Continued from page 1

January 2007 – August 2007

Founder ($200,000+)Linda Brandes Foundation

President’s Circle ($10,000+)Fritz B. Burns Foundation J.B. and Emily Van Nuys Charities

Friend ($5,000+)Adamma FoundationNorthrop Grumman Corporation

Advocate ($2,500+)Elks of Los Angeles Foundation Sidney Stern Memorial Trust

Supporter ($1000+)Arent Fox LLPAugustyn Foundation TrustClagett Inc.Friends of Foster ChildrenThe Fulcrum GroupDr. & Mrs. Humerto GallenoLaw Offices of Joel F. McIntyre P.C.LladroLouis Fisher & AssociatesLos Angeles Water and PowerEmployees’ AssociationProvencio Advisory ServicesSAS Retail MerchandisingWal-Mart #2495

Associate ($100+)Air Qwest Heating & Air ConditioningWilliam C. AndersonAngelus BlockAssociated Produce Dealers/BrokersDr. & Mrs. H. Dean BowlesBrosteem BuildersCalifornia Commercial PoolsCovina Chamber of CommerceDan Marsh InsuranceClayton & Ann Marie Downey Mr. & Mrs. Michael F. DuganMr. & Mrs. Russell M.FrandsenMr. & Mrs. John Gieselman

Ms. Linda A. Giller Captain Clayton S. GilmoreMr. & Mrs. Walt GorrellMr. & Mrs. Richard J. GreenbergMs. Anita L. GregoryMr. & Mrs. Joseph Grigg Mr. & Mrs. Herbert L. HargerHarrington GroupMr. & Mrs. George M. KunkelMrs. Marilyn LarsonMr. Scott Parks LeTellierMs. Annette MalkinMrs. Leora MarcheschiMs Vicki MastroMetropolitan Water DistrictNew Division ContractorsPacific AdministratorsMr. & Mrs. Robert PattonMr. & Mrs. Don M. PearsonMr. James PiascikMrs. Carol Joan PikeDr. & Mrs. Parker F. PrattRamirez MasonryMr. Joseph ReneSGV Postal Credit UnionMr. & Mrs. Damon P. SantosDr. & Mrs. Earle SkinnerSmith and Bonds Accountancy Corp.Mrs. Beth Anne StevensMr. & Mrs. Bernard SuissaSysco Food ServicesMrs. Ada UdallUnited Way Sacramento AreaMr. & Mrs. Rodney L WebberWells Manufacturing Inc.Western OverseasSusan & Stephen Wittmer

Contributor (under $100)Mr. & Mrs. Wendell U. AllredMr. & Mrs. A. Leon AndersonMr. & Mrs. Rand BakerMrs. Barbara BarberMs. Ann BatemanMr. & Mrs. Ronald D. BatsonMr. & Mrs. David BattMr. & Mrs. Jerome Boish

Mr. & Mrs. Jon D. BroadheadMrs. Isabel CarrCars 4 Causes Mr. Bob ChandlerMr.& Mrs. Paul R. ChristiansenCitrus Elementary S. Social Comm.Dr. & Mrs. Sherman ClowardMr. and Mrs. Edward CopelinMr. J. Shirl CornwallMr & Mrs. Kenneth A. DahlinMr. & Mrs. King Dalton Mrs. Margaret Dixon ECHO-Employees Charity Organizationof Northrop Grumman Ms. Toni Faris Mr. & Mrs. Richard Flint Ms. Lorraine Foulks Mr. & Mrs. Fred FuruichiMr. William J. Gallagher Ms. Patricia Gendron Ms. S. Elizabeth GramlingMr.& Mrs. Carl A. Grisier Mrs. Barbara G. Gruver Home DepotMr.& Mrs. William F. Hoppes Ms. Louise Houpt Mr. Jack H. HughesMr. & Mrs. Edward R. Ischia Mrs. Cula Ann Katzky Ms. Geniel A. Loveless Mrs. Meenu Mardia Ms. Sandra Marshall Ms. Tara Masingo Ms. Vicki Mastro Ms. Donna Matherly Mr. Ronald J. McCorkindaleMs. Kathryn McDonaldMr. George L. MurielMrs. Mary R. Murset Mr. & Mrs. Max E. Nelson Mr. & Mrs. Debra Neshe Ms. Thanh NguyenMs. Beryl NicolaiO’Donnell Chevrolet-Buick Ms. Linda Olson Mrs. Ina Loomis Page Mr. Lloyd D. Paulsen

Dr. & Mrs. Rodney C. Petersen M.D. Mr. & Mrs. Richard E.Pousard Mr. & Mrs. James Purrington Mr. & Mrs. Jack R. Renouf Ms. Moana RichardsonMr. and Mrs. Philip N. Richey Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Ridenour Mr. & Mrs. Norman Rossell Ms. Linda Royer Mrs. Julia Sant Dr. Irwin M. Schultz Mrs. Kim Tran Mrs. Terri Varnum Mrs. Barbara Wahl Mr. & Mrs. Rodney L. WebberMr. David Wibert Mr. & Mrs. George Winard Mr. & Mrs. Boyd E. Winn

In KindMrs. Teresa ArriolaCalifornia Utah WomenHome DepotThe HuletsIn-N-Out Burger Foundation Los Angeles AvengersLewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith Los Angeles Avengers Pajama Program Mrs. Carmen PerryMrs. Bronwyn Petersen Mrs. Mary Ellen SimmonsVineyard Bank

gratefully acknowledges all our donors.If your name is inadvertently missing ormisspelled, please call Vicki Mastro at626-960-4861 so that we can make acorrection in our next newsletter.

Honor Roll of Donors

family that Dolores and Raleigh areseeking legal guardianship for both ofthe girls. Raleigh III could not agreemore. They are an active family andRaleigh III says he likes them becausethey can keep up with him!

“We believe in family andeducation,” says Dolores, “and we aretrying to make all of our children’swishes come true.” Marcy, a verycompassionate child, has alreadyexpressed interest in becoming apediatrician.

From a very early age Marcyremembers wanting to take care ofchildren. Maybe that’s because whenMarcy and her sister were youngerthey were not cared for. They livedwith their mother until she wasarrested for meth-amphetamine use.They went to live with their dad andended up in a homeless shelter. A

grandmother took them in for a whilebut ultimately they were placed intofoster care. Dolores and Raleigh arethe second set of foster parents thegirls have had. Although allowed bythe court to visit Marcy and Ginny,their mother has not set up regularmonitored visits.

Since coming to live with theLittles, Marcy has started a collectionof angels. Says Dolores, “Marcy is

everything that an angel represents-she is loving, compassionate, giving,kind and thoughtful. We would just behappy if her dreams came truebecause of something we did.”

Ettie Lee Youth & Family Servicesis a social service agency that hasserved abused, abandoned andneglected youth for over 56 years.Right now there is a critical shortage offoster and adoptive homes. Ettie LeeFoster Family Agency has children ofa l l ages looking for a family.Sometimes the children stay for a fewmonths or even a few years. Sometimesthey are available for adoption.Qualified adults receive training andfinancial support to aid you in the careof these children. If you, or someoneyou know is interested in learningmore about how you can be a fosterparent, please call Linda Klein at 626-967-5082 ext.3514.

Marcy and Dolores finishing up her homework.

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5 www.ettielee.org Ettie Lee’s Fireside

E v e r y P i c t u r e T e l l s A S t o r y

Clayton Downey (right), president & CEO of Ettie Lee,met Walter Bannegas, a former Ettie Lee resident, atFriends of Foster Children’s annual spring luncheon.Ettie Lee would like each and every past resident tocontact us. We would like to know what you are up tothese days and get a sense of how Ettie Leeinfluenced your life. Call Vicki M. at 626-960-4861 oremail her at vicki_m@ettielee.org if you are orknow of someone who is a past resident.

California Utah Women held their annual springluncheon in March at the Disneyland Hotel. CUWboard members (left-right) are Melissa vanBlankenstein, Carmen Perry and Joyce Wing. At farright is Ettie Lee President & CEO Clayton Downey.CUW will hold it’s annual fall luncheon on November3. If you would like information please contact:Becky McKinnon at 714-544-5662 orbbeckysbaskets@aol.com.

left-right: Ilse Boykin, and Beth Dixon, VPCommunity Banking Manager, both from VineyardBank, Moana Richardson, Senior Childcare Worker atEttie Lee and Orlando, former John Eccles residentand Dena Garvin-Smart, Senior VP RegionalCommunity Banking Sales Manager, Vineyard Bank,pose for a picture after Ilse, Beth and Denapresented a short training to all of the residents ofthe John Eccles home. Their training stressed theimportance of maintaining a savings account/plan.

Azusa Council member Robert Gonzales (l) recentlyvisited Ettie Lee's Oak Knolls home for 11 boys inAzusa. Council member Gonzales, a formerrecreation director, brought the residents all types ofrecreation equipment which they immediately put touse. Council member Gonzales is joined by Ettie LeeGroup Care Specialist, Ted Aaeslund.

left-right: Walt Allen, Covina Council member andnewest Ettie Lee Board member with CovinaChamber of Commerce President/CEO Dawn Nelsonand Covina Mayor John King at the very successfuland delicious “Cuisines of Covina” on May 17. Aportion of the proceeds from the event were donatedto Ettie Lee.

The Quilt Lady, aka Mary Ellen Simmons, shows offsome of her handiwork. If you are interested in“tying” quilts Mary Ellen would love to hear fromyou. Her email address is marysim@msn.com.

Matt Hulet and his Eagle Scout Troop 644 fromUpland, California hand-made 10 quilts for theirEagle Scout project. Here's Matt with all of theirhard work. Ettie Lee tries to give a new or hand-made quilt to each of its new residents. For many ofthe boys it's the only thing they can call their ownand they get to take it with them when they leave.

Volunteers from Free Arts for Abused Children hostedpre-Easter festivities for the youngsters (and evenadults!) in Ettie Lee's Foster Family program. Theymade bunny ears, egg baskets, flower pots andcolorful characters. And to top it all off, Free Artseven hosted lunch!

That's Ronnie from Wal-Mart Westminster presentinga check for $1000 to Ettie Lee. Thank you so muchfor your support.

Oct07 9/17/07 9:16 AM Page 5

There’s an Ettie Lee Home near you: Azusa • Bloomington • Baldwin ParkFontana (2) • North Hollywood • Redlands • San Jacinto • Santa Ana

5146 North Maine StreetP. O. Box 339

Baldwin Park, CA 91706-0339

The residents of Ettie Lee’s John Eccles home attendedIn-N-Out University. They learned all about their richhistory and were rewarded with an In-N-Out lunch.

Tell Us What You ThinkAS WE continue to develop EttieLee’s new websitewww.ettielee.org, we hope youwill let us know what you think.What would YOU find helpful tohave on our website, or to includein our newsletter? How have youused our website or otherwebsites and how have theyworked or helped you? Weappreciate the feedback becauseour goal, with your help, is tomake sure that the abused,neglected or abandoned youth weserve overcome their obstacles tobecome productive citizens.

Take a look now and let me knowwhat you think. You can reach meat: vicki_m@ettielee.org or bycalling 626-960-4861.

Let us know now.

Thank you.

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