V o c a t i o n a l V i s i o n s

Budget Action Needed Now The Governor’s budget proposes a $750 Million reduction in expenditures for the DDS budget.

This will directly affect people with developmental

disabilities and Vocational Visions!

Message: 20% Is Too Much

Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed new 20% cut to services for people with developmental

disabilities will dismantle chunks of the support system now in place, and only action by

consumers and families can save the service system. It’s time for everyone to tell their

legislators that the cuts are too large.

How 20% of services will be cut is unknown. The Department of Developmental Services is

supposed to work with stakeholders to develop automatic service limits, officially called

“purchase of service standards.” Some services could be eliminated entirely; some services

may have limits that affect people disproportionately, others may be spared. Because the

means of cutting has not been developed at this time, we do not know what effect this will

have on Vocational Visions.

Time for EVERYBODY to Act

• Call, e-mail, or write the governor and your legislators. Find contact information at

www.leginfor.ca.gov/yourleg.html

• Urge everyone to contact the governor and their legislators.

• Particpate in the rally at the Huntington Beach Pier on Tuesday, February 22nd at

10:00 am. Go to www.handsacrossoc.org to let us know your intent to attend.

Winter — February 2011

INS IDE

TH IS I S SUE :

*Budget Action Needed *Enchanted Evening

1

*Client Profile *Piano Concert 2010

2

*Walk & Talk 2010 3

*Volunteers 09-10 *Visionary Club members

4

*Individual Visionary *Corporate Visionary

5

ViewpointViewpointViewpointViewpoint

Vocational Visions’ Annual Fundraiser

“An Enchanted Evening . . . in Key West”

Join us April 16, 2011 at the Irvine Marriott for another fantastic

evening filled with entertainment, participant performers, a live and silent auction and

an excellent menu! Invitation to follow!

For more information visit our website at www.vocationalvisions.org • or call Tammy at (949) 837-7280 x 214

Join us on Facebook to

get the latest updates,

post your comments and

get involved!

www.facebook.com/

vocationalvisions

Pa r t i c i pan t P r o f i l e : K r i s t en Spadanu t a

P a g e 2

SECOND ANNUAL PIANO CONCERT 2010

“The Living Piano: Journey Through Time”

w/Robert Estrin

Vocational Visions’ held

their second annual Piano

Concert on Saturday,

October 9, 2010 at the

Norman P. Murray Commu-

nity & Senior Center in

Mission Viejo.

Entertainment was provided

by renowned pianist Robert

Estrin, who has a thrilling

musical background, with

three diplomas from the

Mozarteum in Salzburg,

Austria, scholarship studies

in the Manhattan School of

Music, and a degree in Piano

Performance from Indiana

University.

Robert took us on a

musical journey,

playing keyboards

from the 1700’s to

modern times in a

whirlwind perfor-

mance.

A c c o m p a n y i n g

Robert Estrin was

Bijan Taghavi, a

v e r y t a l e n t e d

s t u d e n t w h o

started playing the

piano at the age of

three, and went on

to graduate from

the Yamaha Music School.

Bijan continues his musical

studies at the Robert Estrin

Studio, performing with his

teacher in “The Living

Piano; Journey Through

Time”.

It was a thoroughly wonder-

ful evening and we thank our

guests and volunteers for

their participation. This event

helped raise over $1,100 to

benefit Vocational Visions.

We hope to see everyone

again next year for another

evening of entertainment

with friends and family!

Pianist Robert Estrin and

Bijan Taghavi

Board Members: Richard Trillwood,

Ed Kenna and John Maginnis

Congratulations Kristen!

As a courtesy clerk at Pavilions

Market, Kristen takes her job very

seriously. She recently received a

perfect 100% score on her very first

mystery shop!

Kristen has been associated with

Vocational Visions since 1998. She has

been working at Pavilions for one year

and loves her job.

She enjoys watching TV and talking on

the phone. For fun she attends

Vocational Visions’ Clubhouse, Guys &

Gals, and takes a craft class at night

school.

When not working, Kristen enjoys

spending time with family and friends.

If you ask Kristen where her favorite

place to be is, she will tell you southern

California working at Pavilions!

We are very proud of Kristen and

congratulate her on her success as an

enthusiastic courtesy clerk at Pavilions.

Utility Discounts for SSI

Recipients, California Alternate Rates

for Energy (CARE).

The CARE program provides a 20%

discount for eligible households for

monthly gas, electric and AT&T home

phone bills.

If you have a family member living in

your home that receives SSI, you may

qualify for discounts with SC Electric,

the Gas Co. and AT&T home phone

service. Total household income is not a

qualification when SSI benefits are

received by a family member.

For more information contact each of

your local companies.

Bulletin Board

Vocational Visions’

3rd Annual Walk & Talk Fundraiser

P a g e 3

Fun in the Sun!

Vocational Visions’ held their third annual Walk & Talk Fundraiser on

Saturday, November 13, 2010 on the Village Green at the Norman P.

Murray Community and Senior Center in Mission Viejo.

The location was ideal for walking and talking and the weather was just

perfect! Under sunny skies our event Chair Jim Carlin welcomed all of

the participants and sponsors. The flag ceremony was conducted by

Bill Cook from the American Legion.

Venise Vinegar, a practiced hula hoop walker, was generous enough to

bring 25 hula hoops that participants used to practice hula hoop walk-

ing. It was a fun activity and some of us broke a sweat just trying to

keep up the hoop!

After several walks around our designated track with encouragement

from DJ Lois Clenney, medals were presented as well as recognition of

our generous sponsors. A light lunch and beverages were then served.

It was a beautiful day that helped raise over $6,500 to benefit

Vocational Visions! Thank you to all of our participants, sponsors and

volunteers!

We hope to see everyone next year!

P a g e 4

Dr. Linda Albers

Dave Anderson

Sandy Anderson

Martin Archuleta

AT&T Pioneers

Linabella Aureus

David Baird

Linda Baird

Adrienne Bean

Jack Berger

Larry Bill

Ashley Blair

Mary Bradsher

Bob Brunson

Linda Cameron

Rose Camia

Ellie Cantrell

Jim Carlin

Lynne Carlin

Michele Champagne

Lois Clenney

Terri Collins

John Connolly

Arthur Cooper

Jill Cooper

Rose Mary Coward

Colleen Davidson

Duncan Dieterly

Carolyn Dorin-Watkins

Ben Edgson

Roland Fernandez

Joseph Foley

Frank Frisco

Marguerite Glynn

Kris Graham

Patricia Griggs

Richard Guiselman

Sandra Harrison

Donna Haskill

Laura Hoffman

Jackie Huckleberry

Wayne Hunt

Nancy Hunter

Susan Irby

Barbara Johnson

Edward Kenna

Rosemarie Kenna

Peggy Kisella

Kiwanis Club/Laguna Hills

Kim Klavzar

Ed Lee

Mayumi Lee

Sheri Lee

Rosemarie Leonard

Nancy Livingston

James Lovelle

John Maginnis

Valerie Maginnis

Angie Mandang

Sharon Meredith

Nancy Miller

Mike Mitchell

Yolanda Mooney

Peter Neptune

Howard Neufeld

Tina Neukirch

Becky O’Campo

Patricia Powers

Gwendy Ransom

Philip Requilman

Carol Roberts

Ken Rook

Ina Rossania

John Roth

Gilbert Rowland

Bari Russell

Ricardo Santiago

Yolanda Santiago

Barbara Sartor

Margaret Stillwell

Norman Syler

Luella Syler

Richard Trillwood

Keanu Trujillo

Dixie Tucker

Debbie Watkins

Scott Winchell

Gary Wisser

VOLUNTEERS 2009-2010

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Irvine Health Foundation

City of Mission Viejo

Craig & Amy Nickoloff

Samueli Foundation

OC United Way

Richard & Pat Trillwood

The Wasserman Fdn

Weingart Foundation

INSPIRATIONAL LEADERS

City of Mission Viejo

Kathy & Mike Collins

Konica Minolta

Ed & Michal Masada Lee

Jamie Fullmer Memorial Fd

Steven Lovell

Sharon Meredith

Nick’s Restaurants

OC United Way

James Smith

Spectrum Risk Mgmt.

Tarsadia Foundation

GUILDING LIGHTS

Jerry & Pete Abbott

Susan Bachtelle

David & Linda Baird

Steve Bell

Richard & Lori Boultinghouse

Debra & Michael Buzar

Bruce & Pam Bugland

Cecil & Louise Capps

Carl E. Wynn Foundation

Jim & Lynne Carlin

City of RSM

Duncan Dieterly

Michael & Sharron Dumas

William Fain

Ching & Humei Feng

Robert & Carole Follman

Terry & Diane Haffey

HBLA

Ron & Claudia Hill

Kiwanis Club of Laguna Hills

Laguna Niguel Women’s Club

Nancy Livingston

James Lovelle

Tami Lutzker

Microsoft Giving Campaign

Craig & Amy Nickoloff

Lana Nino

Peter & Alex Neptune

Howard & Alana Neufeld

Pacific Western Bank

Jim & Pam Pasino

Barry & Meryl Resnick

Larry & Carol Roberts

Paul & Patricia Rudewicz

Thomas & Sharon Smith

Stonefield Development

Robert & Susan Strube

Luann Syler

Norman & Luella Syler

Taco Bell

The MERIT Companies

Ross & Maureen Thomas

Trendworks, Inc.

Richard & Pat Trillwood

Vogt/Resnick/Sherak

Rodney & Carol Wilbert

Joseph & Helen Wright

James Yeckel

SYMBOLS OF HOPE

John L. Asmus

Norman & Twyla Blanco

Laura Catalino

Lois Clenney

Cynthia Conners

Lew & Jo Anne Coppersmith

Leroy & Patrica Ellinton

Tim & Janet Fleming

Joseph & Cindy Foley

Cindy Frerking

Juel Hansen

Wendy Harder

Edward & Donna Haskill

Kathryn Hebel

Leo & Mary Jedynak

Tammy Jensen

Edward & Rosemarie Kenna

Andy & Mayumi Lee

Sheri Lee

Kevin Maddock

John & Valerie Maginnis

Mission Viejo Rotary Club

Uzma Nasim

Tina Neukirch

Milt & Lynda Ratcliff

John Roth

Domenic & Georgia Schrello

Walter & Ena Simanson

Soka University

Francesca Ronnie Primus Fdn

Toshiba of America

Willem & Loretta Van der Pol

William & Joan Waiksnis

J.R. Waller

Debbie Watkins

Carol Watson

Richard & Carolyn Watkins

Mary Yakura

VISIONARY CLUB MEMEBERS 2009-2010

P a g e 5

Indiv idua l Vis ionar y : Nancy Liv ings ton

Cor pora t e Vi s iona r y :

Spec t r um Risk Management and Insu rance Ser v ices

Vocational Visions has had the

privilege of partnering with Spectrum Risk Management and Insurance Services since their opening over 12 years ago. Brokers Terry Dorse and Jim Waterhouse continue to assist us with all of our insurance needs and risk management issues.

Spectrum Risk Management has been, and continues to be, an important partner for Vocational Visions.

We can rely on their expertise and diligence in making sure that we have the best insurance options available. As a non-profit organization during these difficult financial times it is so important for us to be able to rely on

a company that will keep our best interests in mind.

They have gone above and beyond in helping to intercede for us in maintaining and controlling our work-ers compensation insurance. Through

their guidance and assistance, Vocational Visions is able to cope with the increasing costs of workers compensation, and other insurance premiums as well.

Spectrum has been an avid sponsor of our annual Enchanted Evening fundraiser each year. Through their continued support, we not only receive a generous Spectrums Risk Management sponsorship, but support and sponsorships from their dedicated employees.

We thank the Spectrum Risk Management team for the i r professional support and their contin-ued friendship.

Keep up the great work!

“You make a living

by what you get, but

you make a life by

what you give.”

-Winston Churchill

Vocational Visions’ proudly

presented the 2010 Helen

Bora Volunteer Award to

volunteer and Board of

Directors member Nancy

Livingston. The award was

presented at the November

16, 2010 Volunteer and

Visionaries Annual Meeting

and Luncheon.

Nancy well deserved this

honor by going well above

and beyond supporting

Vocational Visions and the

participants we serve.

Nancy has been treasurer of

Vocational Visions’ Board of

Directors for over ten years,

a s w e l l a s a c t i v l y

coordinating our yearly

P i a n o C o n c e r t a n d

participating in our annual

Walk & Talk fundraiser.

As co-Chair of the 2010

“An Enchanted Evening …

April in Paris” fundraiser,

Nancy was instrumental in

helping to raise over

$90,000 to benefit

Vocational Visions and

the participants that we

serve.

Nancy is well aware of the

current economic climate

and continues to raise

awareness, funding, and

support for all of

Voca t i ona l V i s i ons

programs and services.

She has always been a

shinning star of support and

encouragement to us all and

we salute her and feel

privileged to be the recipient

of her generosity and

support!

Thank you Nancy for your

helping hands and continued

dedication.

Exec. Director Kathryn Hebel

presents the 2010 Helen Bora

Award to Nancy Livingston.

Spectrum’s Mission Statement: We provide a full spectrum of risk management and insurance products to businesses and individuals through highly-skilled professionals

who bring value to client and business partnership needs. Our team approach enables long term relationships that sustain the changing markets and risks we all face. We

aim to be a positive force in the communities we serve.

Moved?

To update your info,

please call (949) 837-7280

How You Can Help

Hire Vocational Visions clients to work at your place of business

Use our Work Activity Program for any of your following needs:

�Light Assembly �Mailings �Packaging �Bagging

�Heat sealing �Shrink-Wrap �Sorting �Collating

�Kitting �Labeling �Reasonable rates – free pick up and delivery!

Remember Vocational Visions in your will

Donate your car, truck, boat or RV as a tax-deductible donation

Make a credit card donation online at www.vocationalvisions.org

Offer your professional services or product as a charitable donation

Add your name and address to our mailing list

See if your employer will match your personal monetary donations

Bring a friend or family member for a tour of our programs

Sponsor our annual fundraiser ‘An Enchanted Evening’

Call Katie (949) 837-7280 x. 231 for more information.

Accredited by the

Rehabilitation Accreditation

Commission for six of our

programs.

Vocational Visions

26041 Pala

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

(949) 837-7280 phone

(949) 859-9962 fax

www.vocationalvisions.org

Creating

possibilities for

people with

disabilities

Since 1975

NONPROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 39

EL TORO 92630

VIEWPOINT

A Publication of Vocational Visions

26041 Pala

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Vocational Visions is a

Registered 501(c)(3)

Nonprofit Organization

Tax ID# 95-2972669

or current resident