Wayfinder Family Services NEW HEIGHTS Newsletter Fall 2018

Fall 2018

NEW HEIGHTS Stories about life-changing journeys made possible by you!

Sweet Sixteen for Elaine

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efore 16-year-old Elaine was enrolled in Wayfinder’s Special Education School four years ago, her mother Yaheni described her daughter in one word: frustrated.

“She didn’t want to go to school or get out of the bed and go on the bus,” Yaheni recalls. “Since attending Wayfinder, I’ve seen such a drastic change in Elaine—she’s very happy and wants to attend school each and every day.”

Elaine’s passion for school isn’t the only thing that’s changed. Her behavior is better overall, and she also began to use her utensils after starting school, according to her mother.

NEW HEIGHTS Take a look inside this issue of the Wayfinder Family Services newsletter:

Q&A with CEO Miki Jordan page 2

“She listens better than she used to and no longer walks away like before,” Yaheni says.

“Now she’s always laughing and having a good time.”

Through individualized instruction, Wayfinder’s Special Education School provides students, many of whom have multiple, profound disabilities, with the education, counseling and resources needed to achieve greater independence.

From the Archives page 3

Since Wayfinder’s Special Education School limits classes to 12 students with a 1:2 staff-tostudent ratio (and 1:1 ratio if needed), students like Elaine are able to thrive.

As an infant, Elaine was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, also known as fluid on the brain, (continued on page 4)

Meet a Wayfinder page 7

Junior Blind has a new name! WAYFINDER FAMILY SERVICES

Q&A with Miki Jordan Wayfinder Family Services President & CEO

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iki Jordan joined Wayfinder Family Services in 2006. Below, she answers questions about the organization’s expansion, her best day at work and the organization’s unchanging commitment to children and families.

Why has the organization expanded? Are you still the same organization?

We are still the same organization with the same responsiveness to people who need our help. Almost from the beginning, the organization has been growing. Norm Kaplan, the founder of Junior Blind, realized that, in addition to blind children, children with special needs needed our help. He opened our special education school in 1962. In 1970, the organization began serving adults and kept on growing. As the needs in our community have changed, the organization has expanded to meet them. We have gained expertise and expanded to assist more people facing different types of challenges.

MISSION

You have led the organization since 2006.

Describe your best day at work?

VALUES

The Wayfinder staff will do anything to help a client. I love watching our teams work together, doing whatever it takes, to help a child in our program.

What brings you joy in the work you do?

We are helping children and families face some very tough challenges.

It’s that spirit of community and the power of a village working together to help a child that brings me joy at Wayfinder.

Do you still serve children who are blind?

Yes! We are as deeply committed as ever to the blindness community.

In fact, we serve more children with vision loss across California than any other organization. We are one of the few organizations that has the expertise to work with children with vision impairment and multiple disabilities. We are so proud that our services reach visually impaired people of all ages, from early intervention for infants and toddlers, through recreation programs for children, to workforce development for teens and young adults who are entering the workforce. These programs and more will continue to meet the needs of children and adults who are blind, today and into the future.

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To read the full interview with Miki Jordan and learn more about Wayfinder Family Services, please visit www.wayfinderfamily.org/MikiQandA

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Wayfinder Family Services ensures that children, youth and adults facing challenges always have a place to turn.

PURPOSE

We strive for a world in which every child and family can overcome the obstacles they face–a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We put people first.

There’s extraordinary potential in the people we work with, and we do everything in our power to facilitate their success.

We listen to all voices.

We invite everyone—our families, our volunteers, and our staff—to speak openly, and we believe that there’s value in every viewpoint.

We get where we need to go.

No challenge is too great. With careful, thoughtful planning, we follow through on even our loftiest goals.

We strive to do even better.

We see every day as an opportunity to go further than we did yesterday, and we give children and families what they need to propel themselves forward, too.

We never give up.

Our support is unwavering. We will always be there for our children and families.

From the Archives

The Year: 1964 The People: Two young boys at the Foundation for the Junior Blind (now Wayfinder Family Services) are joined by Academy Awardwinning actress, Jane Wyman, to celebrate White Cane Safety Day. The day is dedicated to the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired, and also celebrates the independence symbolized by the white cane.

The Moment: The Lions Club International are champions of the white cane and, since our founding in 1953, Wayfinder Family Services has received generous support from dozens of Lions Clubs and hundreds of Lions. The introduction of the white cane in North America can be attributed to Lions Club International and George A. Bonham. In 1930, Bonham, president of the Peoria Lions Club, watched a man who was blind attempting to cross a street with a black cane. Motorists could not see the man’s cane, so Bonham proposed painting the cane white with a red stripe to make it more noticeable.

DID YOU KNOW? In 1931, the Lions Club International began a national program promoting the use of white canes for persons who are blind.

The white cane is used by those who are blind or visually impaired as a tool for safe and reliable navigation. Learning to use the white cane takes time and Wayfinder’s Orientation & Mobility specialists teach white cane techniques to children, youth and adults in our independence programs for the blind and visually impaired.

NEW HEIGHTS • 3

Junior Blind has a new name! WAYFINDER FAMILY SERVICES

A Journey Back to Wayfinder

Meet Director of Transition Services Rob Schulenburg

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hen Rob Schulenburg was born in the early 1970s, doctors quickly noticed his erratic eye movements. They assumed that this was a sign of multiple disabilities: total blindness, hearing loss and intellectual disability. The doctors suggested Rob’s parents give him up to the state; a woman was in the next room with the paperwork. “My parents believed that everyone has strengths and weaknesses,” says Rob. “I was the youngest of five, and my parents thought, ‘We’ll put him with the rest.’”

“We give students a It turned out that Rob was visually impaired. place to turn.”

The whole family enrolled in Wayfinder’s Blind Babies Foundation program, which provides critical early intervention services. They also sent him to our Camp Bloomfield from age 7 until his early teens. There he discovered new passions like horseback riding, made lifelong connections with mentors and colleagues and gained new independence.

Sweet Sixteen for Elaine (continued from page 1)

and damage to her optic nerves, which affects her vision. She has a history of seizures and severe cognitive disabilities, but she doesn’t let that stop her from being a social, friendly and cheerful young woman.

“Elaine initiates conversations with everyone who walks in the classroom,” reports Sheila Thomas, Elaine’s teacher for the last two years. “No matter what task she’s working on, she raises her right hand to wave, saying ‘hi’ over and over. She will say ‘bye’ when 4 • Fall 2018

Rob’s family valued education and independence. “Around the dinner table, Dad asked us all where we were going to school and Rob and 7 year old Maci, what we were going to who he declares is “the study,” Rob remembers. world’s happiest, most “I wasn’t exempt simply awesomest guide dog.” because I was only 4 years old.” The gifted young man didn’t plan on a career in special education. “I went into a master’s program rather than law school after losing a coin toss to my wife,” Rob says. “We didn’t want to be in law school at the same time.”

That flip of the coin was momentous. It launched Rob into the special education profession and took him on a journey back to Wayfinder, where he had once been a client.

After earning his master’s degree, Rob worked at a school for the blind for 12 years, followed by three

she sees the person walk toward the door.”

At school, Elaine completes a variety of tasks and activities such as preparing snacks, self-feeding, playing games with friends, and cleaning up. Elaine and her classmates also take community walks, go on outings, play games, cook and have fun together.

Elaine especially enjoys playing cause and effects games with other students and loves toys with music, lights and movement.

Whether participating in circle time, singing songs with her

classmates, or listening to music, Elaine finds joy. “She will sing each word in her own tune, and dance like no one else is watching—I love that about her,” Sheila adds.

Elaine recently celebrated her 16th birthday at Wayfinder’s Special Education School. She wore a pretty dress and had her hair styled for the occasion. Her classmates sang “Happy Birthday” at school, and everyone enjoyed dessert provided by Elaine’s parents.

“She clapped and smiled with delight,” Sheila recalls. “Elaine loves to interact with her peers, staff and familiar people.”

years in the Peace Corps. When Rob returned to California, a friend asked him to consult on the curriculum for the expansion of Wayfinder’s Transition Services to Northern California. Rob joined the staff in 2012 and became program director in 2015.

Transition Services prepares young people ages 16 to 24 with vision loss for their next step in life. They may be unsure what to do after high school or how to become employable. “They define what success means to them,” says Rob. In the multifaceted program, teens and young adults learn about college, career options and workplace skills. They gain confidence and independence. This process can take several years—with a few bumps along the way. One young man who attended a Wayfinder Transition Services workshop is a junior in college now, but at one point he dropped out of high school to figure things out. Transition Services has been assisting him for six years.

INVEST IN INDEPENDENCE: PLEASE GIVE TODAY. Teens and young adults who are blind or visually impaired dream of independence. In our free weekend and summer workshops, students learn about college, career options and workplace skills, work at internships and practice independent living.

Please consider a monthly gift and invest in their future today! www.wayfinderfamily.org/sustain

“The most rewarding moments are when you see students put things together for themselves,” Rob says. “When they decide to go to college, move out or take a job.”

It’s the personal relationships that make Transition Services much more than a college and career program. “We develop trust,” says Rob. “We give students a place to turn.”

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After working with Elaine for two years, Sheila is able to communicate one-on-one, using short sentences. Elaine, who also uses gestures to interact, is able to follow simple commands like “let’s go” and “hang up your backpack.”

Elaine says words such as “good girl,” “mama,” and “alright” and understands more than she can express, according to her teacher.

While she continues to thrive at Wayfinder’s Special Education School, Yaheni and Sheila have thought about Elaine’s future. Her mother would like to see Elaine be more independent after graduation and Sheila is confident that Elaine is on that path.

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THE ONLY PLACE FOR ELAINE Fifty students with as many as six different disabilities, including those with vision loss, autism, hearing impairment, Down syndrome, seizure disorders and cognitive delays, attend Wayfinder’s special education school annually.

It is often the only school able to meet their unique and complex needs—offering them the opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment.

NEW HEIGHTS • 5

Junior Blind has a new name! WAYFINDER FAMILY SERVICES

What Will Your Legacy Be? Our Legacy Society was created to recognize friends who have made a bequest or other planned gift to Wayfinder Family Services.

You are eligible for membership in this special group if you: • Name Wayfinder Family

DRIVE D R A C T IF G R U O IN JO

rget can help a family A $25 gift card from Ta school supplies, purchase clothing and l. ients for a holiday mea birthday gifts or ingred ft ays, we are collecting gi From now until the holid join ren and families. Please ild ch r de fin ay W r fo s card deserving family today! us and send a card to a inderfamily.org/card Give today at www.wayf

How you can help 1

Give online at www.wayfinderfamily.org/card

2

Host a gift card drive in your community

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Mail gift cards to: Wayfinder Gift Card Drive 5300 Angeles Vista Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90043

Services as a beneficiary of your Will or Trust, Life Insurance Policy or IRA or other retirement plan. • Or, support Wayfinder Family Services through a life income gift, such as a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA).

Planned gifts are the perfect way to define your legacy and to ensure that the vital and transformative work of Wayfinder Family Services continues. Your legacy will help future generations of children, youth, adults and families face the greatest challenges!

Contact Randy Sprabary for more information: rsprabary@wayfinderfamily.org or (323) 295-4555 ext. 220

DID YOU KNOW? Only 25% of foster children complete high school.

Dedicated foster parents like Gloria fight these odds. She has fostered over 300 children and many are now in college.

Meet a WAYFINDER

Fostering Dreams

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n hour east of Los Angeles, in the city of Fontana, resides a woman with an extraordinary mission. Originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, Gloria first heard about foster parenting through a friend in the late 1970s.

Since then, she’s fostered around 300 children, including kids with various disabilities.

“I currently have three siblings who have been diagnosed with ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder, and learning disabilities,” she says.

“It feels like you work three times harder to assist them because of their attention span, ability to understand requests and issues with memory.”

“Ever since we came into your home, you changed our life for the better!” —Gloria’s foster child

homeless, eating out of trashcans and stealing clothing before being placed in her home.

“I took them shopping for food and clothing and set the rules,” she says. “I told them they were all very smart, that I would take care of them and, if they took this opportunity, they would succeed.”

All three of those sisters went on to college and careers—one just graduated this year from UCLA— and their brother, who is still in Gloria’s care, is headed in the same direction.

“Anybody who comes to my home can follow their dreams.”

Foster children face staggering odds: one in five become homeless after age 18, nearly 25% will have no high school diploma and less than 1% complete college.

“Anybody who comes to my home can follow their dreams,” she says.

“I tell them: ‘You can do anything you want and I’ll be right behind you.’ ”

Gloria tells the story of three sisters and a brother who were

Wayfinder Family Services acquired foster family agency programs last

year to assist foster parents like Gloria and encourage the fostering of children with disabilities.

“Wayfinder has supported me in my goal to do the best for the children,” she explains.

“I appreciate the programs, such as the camp and activities like the carnivals, and being able to have opportunities for the children to participate.”

Gloria says her biggest success in life is being given the opportunity to make a difference in these youth’s lives. She says, “I’m very proud they were willing to take the opportunity and follow my rules and walk that path of success.”

She’s watched some of her foster children become teachers and social workers, serve in the military, and attend other universities such as Cal State LA and University of San Diego.

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NEW HEIGHTS • 7

Junior Blind has a new name! WAYFINDER FAMILY SERVICES

SAVE the DATE!

WAYFINDER SUMMER MOMENTS

Saturday, October 6, 2018 Happy Trails Riding Academy

2018 Harvest Walk

Experience a world without sight through this unique walk-a-thon and family celebration. Walkers wear a blindfold or special glasses that simulate various visual impairments, and are then led by a volunteer guide along a walking trail. Families will enjoy harvestthemed activities alongside staff and volunteers and proceeds from the walk-a-thon will support Wayfinder’s life-changing services!

#WayfinderMoments Follow @wayfinderfamily Experience @wayfinderfamily

For more information or to sponsor the event, please contact Karen Koh Thompson at (510) 446-2229, ext.

751, or KThompson@wayfinderfamily.org or visit www.wayfinderfamily.org/walk

Give with trust.

Main Campus 5300 Angeles Vista Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 295-4555 www.wayfinderfamily.org