In Case You Missed It Highlights – March 28

In Case You Missed It Highlights – March 28

March 28, 2022

As we wrap up National Disability Awareness Month, we bring into April a sincere focus on raising awareness of autism and celebrating the dedicated work of our occupational therapists. In this edition of ICYMI, we highlight programs that are bringing families together and we’re saying thank you to donors who helped support our Share the Love collection for our direct support professionals. Momentum has dozens of staff who have made an impact with the organization for decades — we tip our cap to them. We also invite you to get involved in advocacy on the state funding level. Read below to learn all of that and more.

If you haven’t already, please like and follow our social pages: Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

ICYMI Spotlight: Going Green

Across Momentum, everyone seemed to find a little Irish in themselves. Throughout our spirit week, staff and people we support decorated classrooms and homes, wore green from head to toe, primed their green thumbs, and relaxed with some delicious shamrock shakes. Here are just a few of the many photos captured from the week of St. Patrick’s Day. May the road always rise to meet you.

Photos of the Week: Momentum Celebrates Graduations & Birthdays

As kids and therapists sang “Happy Graduation,” Romina celebrated by giving her cap a toss to wild applause.

We first told you of Romina and her mother Lucia’s journey through Momentum PTN last fall. Both utilized telehealth therapy until classes resumed in person. From there, Romina’s progress blossomed as she formed strong gross motor skills and language techniques fostered by Leaps and Bounds program therapists.

“This is the great part of early intervention,” said Blanca Navarro, an Early Intervention teacher and a Bilingual Specialist at Momentum since 2012. “Just to see the progress throughout time, it’s an amazing experience and feeling to see that child’s development.” Congratulations to Romina! You can read more of her story from 2021 here.

Liz is an administrator and Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional at Momentum. Join us in wishing her a happy birthday that happened on Sunday.

She has helped Momentum open a number of homes hosting adult services over her 34 years with the organization. Her work is admired by her colleagues, people supported and their families.

“I love them, they’re my people,” she said. “They’ve taught me so much and that’s what keeps me here.”

One of Liz’s people, Amit, is a huge sports fan. He has an incredible memory and attention to detail. He can tell you which day of the week you’re birthday will land on. Cheers to Liz!

Well-Deserved Gifts of Appreciation: Thank You for Sharing the Love

We send our gratitude to all who helped make our “Share the Love” collection drive in February a success. Through the Amazon Smile listing, supporters purchased gifts like the kitchen utensils set and the Fire HD Plus for our deserving direct support professionals and support staff at our adult service locations. Your generosity helped us secure 30 items!

We’re excited to build off that effort next year and continue to develop our Valued Employee Program to show our appreciation for the tireless work of these professionals, each and every day.

Come Together: Early Head Start Resumes Park Socializations

We are thrilled to resume our Early Head Start socialization at Torrance Park. This gathering brings families together and gives children the opportunity to progress their gross motor skills through a number of activities. Click to see more of the class in action on our Instagram!

It’s Go Time: Ask California Lawmakers to Support Head Start

Momentum is proud to offer Early Head Start programming for kids and their families. To ensure this life-changing resource remains accessible to those who rely on it, advocates are requesting lawmakers secure in the state budget $50 million in funding for Head Start.

These funds will support the expansion of access to early learning and care to more families, ensuring children reach kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. The funds would also go a long way in helping families become financially secure.

The $50 million will help Head Start programs across California, including Momentum, by improving wages and benefits to recruit and retain our highly-skilled teachers. Contact your legislator with one click.

Events & Resources: Upcoming Income Program, Public Policy Conference, 5K Run-Walk

Los Angeles County is launching the pilot program Breathe to provide residents the chance to “breathe” easier knowing they are more financially secure. Breathe is a guaranteed income pilot project that will provide 1,000 eligible residents with $1,000 per month for three years. Click here to learn more.

The Arc of California, Easterseals and United Cerebral Palsy have officially launched ticket sales for the 15 ^th Annual “Virtual” Developmental Disabilities Public Policy Conference in April. Don’t miss California’s premiere three-day advocacy conference for the disability community. This conference is designed for individuals with developmental disabilities, their caregivers, family members, and the staff who provide services. It’s for special educators, therapists, service providers, regional centers, and anyone who advocates on behalf of Californians with disabilities.

Empowering All Abilities 5K Run-Walk

This event in Pasadena benefits Institute for the Redesign of Learning. Part of their mission is to empower individuals of all abilities to take charge of their own learning and lives, making it possible for them to be competent, caring, and contributing members of society; and to provide learning opportunities for families, professionals, and communities to support those efforts. For more information and register, visit here.

Weekly Wrap Up: Women’s Month, Mask Guidelines Request, People with Disabilities in Ukraine

This week, we have a wide-ranging wrap-up of stories and news we encourage you to read. As the war rages on in Ukraine, charities are working to help residents with disabilities who are trapped and being left behind.

Plus, advocacy groups are urging lawmakers for the return of stronger indoor masking guidelines as the pandemic continues.

You can also read an uplifting story with a sweet twist; an entrepreneur, who also has down syndrome, opens her own cookie shop. Read how she’s providing opportunities for people with disabilities.