These stories are examples of how some of the exceptional people we support are living active, full and independent lives in communities throughout Southern California.
Select below to see our current spotlights:
- Adult Day Services
- Autism Therapy Services
- Camp
- Children Services
- Living Options
- Senior Day Services
- WorkFirst Employment Services
Adult Day Services
Taking Advocacy a Step Further: Easterseals Participants Make an Impact at the Capitol
This spring, several Easterseals Southern California participants put their advocacy skills into action by heading to Sacramento, CA to meet face-to-face with legislators. During several organized advocacy events, they joined hundreds of other disabled Californians and activists to reject the Governor’s delay of funding for critical disability services.
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Making Cooking into a Career: Easterseals Supports Michelle’s Culinary Dreams
With the guidance and support from Easterseals, Adult Day Services participant, Michelle, is on a path to achieving her culinary dreams.
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Gina Finds a Job with the Help of the Tech Lending Library
Gina, a recent TLL recipient, is just one of many who used a TLL device to discover new opportunities and access greater independence.
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Individuals from Easterseals Adult Day Services Enroll in College
Easterseals Adult Day Services in Cerritos has begun a partnership with a local college so students can attend adapted courses.
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Jose Shares His Passion for Singing
Jose is an Easterseals Southern California Adult Day Services (ADS) recipient who has a passion and talent for singing mariachi music for others.
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Easterseals’ ‘Peer-to-Peer’ Group Reunites Friends After 33 Years
With the help of Easterseals Southern California's Peer-to-Peer group reunites friends after 33 years.
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Meet Bianca: Best Friend to All
Adult Day Services (ADS) participant gains confidence and builds friendships with the support of Easterseals.
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Pandemic Prevents Mom and Daughter from Seeing Each Other; Easterseals Southern California Helps Them Reunite
JayPad assistive devices from the Easterseals Technology Lending Library provides them with barrier-free weekly communication.
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Person-Centered Services Helps Participant Discover Voice-Over Talent
Hector, an Easterseal's Cerritos Adult Day Services participant with autism, develops his voice-over talent.
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James Adapts to Being Social From a Distance
James, a participant from Adult Day Services in West Covina, is adjusting well to his remote services and interactions with Easterseals.
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Robert: The Music Man
Each Friday morning, Robert takes center stage at Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) Adult Day Services in Glendale and gives a rousing musical performance with his guitar and drums.
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Keshaun: Rap Artist in the Making
“I think music saved my life,” Keshaun explains, referring to a difficult life at home growing up, being bullied in high school because of his autism and past challenges with anxiety, depression, anger management and aggression. Now, with the help of Easterseals, Keshaun has a positive outlook on life...
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Adult Day Services in San Pedro Receives a Special Safety Presentation from Local Fire Station
Members of Los Angeles Fire Station 101 came out to discuss what to do in the event of an emergency and to help participants feel more comfortable.
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Easterseals Facilitates Adult Peer-to-Peer Social Group, Helping Foster New Friendships and Relationships
The outings – including visits to the Getty Museum, Skyspace LA and the California Science Center – have been a huge hit!
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George Visits the Beach
In his entire life George had never been to the beach, until Easterseals took him.
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Autism Therapy Services
Summer Finds Her Voice With Autism Services Early Intervention Support
Tiffany credits Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) for helping her eight-year-old daughter, Summer, find her voice. Six years ago, Tiffany never could have imagined her daughter would be where she is today.
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Thriving in the Spotlight: Brothers with Autism Excel at School and at Home
Before brothers Evan, 10, and Ethan, 7, started Autism Therapy at Easterseals Southern California, their mom, April, never imagined she would one day see her sons participate in activities like performing on stage, modeling, and playing team sports.
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Easterseals Autism Therapy Services Empowers a Mom to Help Her Son
Learn how parent training sessions and behavior skills training gave Julie the tools to help her son, Junior.
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Mom Says Son Is A More Independent Person Thanks to Easterseals Autism Therapy Services
When Adan was just a baby, his mom, Mayra, noticed he was developing differently. By the time he was three, Adan wasn't speaking, his eye contact was limited, and he had trouble communicating his wants and needs.
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Autism Services Graduate Participates in Yucaipa Christmas Parade
Receiving three years of ABA services not only helped Ethan gain communication skills that changed his and his family's lives, it made their participation in a community Christmas parade possible.
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Jacob's Mom Shares: “Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) Changed my Son’s Life.”
Eight-year-old Jacob enjoys going to school, socializing with friends and he was ecstatic for Halloween. He appears like a typical elementary school kid but his mom, Heather, says without Easterseals Southern California (ESSC), this wouldn’t be Jacob’s reality.
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Autism Therapy Services Client Gabe Makes Great Gains and Achieves Greater Independence
Gabe and his family shared touching notes and a handmade plaque with Easterseals.
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Adam's Autism Journey
Adam has come a long way from when he was first diagnosed on the autism spectrum when he was three.
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Camp
Volunteer Counselor Andy and Camper Josh Form a Unique Bond Over 30 Years
Because Easterseals Camp is such a special place, many campers and volunteer camp counselors have been coming back year after year. As a result, special bonds are often formed, like the one between counselor Andy Thompson and camper Josh.
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Camp Marks 45th Year With Life-Changing Experiences for Campers and Volunteers
Campers and volunteers convened for the 45th year at Easterseals Camp held at Camp Oakes in Big Bear for fun-filled activities and many life-changing experiences.
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Children Services
Ethan Excels Thanks To Expertise and Support from Child Development Services in Montclair
When the his family discovered Easterseals Child Development Services (CDS) and its center in Montclair, they knew that it was a perfect match for Ethan’s needs.
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Children's Services and Autism Services Work Together to Support Dominic with Achieving His Goals
Easterseals Southern California worked with Dominic and his mom through Autism Services and Children's Services so he could receive necessary support for his disability.
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Anze and Abraham are Prepared for Elementary School Thanks to Easterseals Children’s Services
From child care to speech therapy, the team at Easterseals worked alongside Illya to assist her family in the ways they needed it most.
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Savannah Meets Her Milestones with Support from Easterseals' CDC
When 14-month-old Savannah came to Easterseals' Child Development Center she couldn’t walk or crawl and spoke just two words due to developmental delays—but by her second birthday she and her parents had true reasons to celebrate!
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ESSC Child Development Center Graduates Miranda and Nicholas Excel in School as Miranda Prepares for College
The siblings attended ESSC’s Early Head Start program as toddlers, which put them on the path to success.
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Living Options
A Memorable Reunion: Easterseals Brings Together Siblings After 15 Years Apart
This summer, staff from Easterseals Living Options program had the heartwarming opportunity to reunite a resident with his family, including a brother he hadn’t seen in 15 years.
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Oscar Finds Home and Hope with Easterseals
With the help of Easterseals Coordinated Life Services, Oscar and his family accessed the care they needed, including housing and disability support services.
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Daniel Regains Access to His Community
Daniel is an Easterseals Coordinated Life Services participant who is now thriving and embracing life, thanks to a new wheelchair.
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Welcome Home, Shayna!
Easterseals Living Options Welcomes Formerly Homeless Resident
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Baseball Buddies: Best Friends Enjoy Summer Baseball Stadium Tour
Two Easterseals So Cal Living Options participants and friends take their love for baseball from the living room to the stadium!
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Easterseals Living Options’ Coordinated Life Services Supports Mellisa’s Mental Health Journey
Phone sessions with her Community Support Specialist during the pandemic lead Mellisa to an improved quality of life.
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Joseph Receives Corrected Medical Diagnosis Thanks to Living Options' Coordinated Life Services (CLS)
Easterseals Community Support Coordinator connects Joseph and his family to better medical support services for improved services and care.
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Minerva and Her Family Receive Support From Easterseals Coordinated Life Services
The small team makes a big impact on the life of a young girl and her mother.
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Senior Day Services
Senior Day Services Participant Trained Animals for Hollywood Movies
Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) celebrates Older Americans Month this May by highlighting ESSC participant Linda, who used to train animals for Hollywood movies.
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Phil’s Musical Talents Bring Joy to Senior Day Services
For participants in Easterseals Southern California’s Senior Day Services in Brea, music is one of the highlights of their day. The music does not come from the radio or from a streaming service but from their fellow participant, Phil.
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Centenarian Celebrates His 104th Birthday at Senior Day Services Open House
The new Senior Day Center in Brea hosted the event where tributes for the guest of honor, Cliff, came from across the community.
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Wife of Senior Day Services Participant Shares Family's Journey to Easterseals
John's wife, Susan, sent us his story. It demonstrates the importance of finding a purpose in life, a foundation of what we do at Easterseals and something everyone deserves, no matter what their disability may be.
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WorkFirst Employment Services
Celestino: Stepping into a Meaningful Career
Celestino previously spent years searching for a job and struggled to even get interviews. But everything changed when Easterseals Southern California’s Employment Services entered the picture.
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Xander Thrives in His Job at Code Ninjas
Xander is a bright 19-year-old with autism who landed his first job as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Room Teaching Assistant with support from Easterseals WorkFirst Employment Services.
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Starting National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Orion's Story
For Orion, having a job, “helps me learn new things that I have not done before, and helps me gain experience for other things in the future.”
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Easterseals WorkFirst Helps Newly Married Couple Find Their Dream Jobs at Disneyland
After Matthew's successful transition into a job in security, Vallee landed a job as a cashier thanks to tips and guidance from WorkFirst.
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Thomas Advanced in His Job thanks to Easterseals WorkFirst Employment Services
Thanks to his WorkFirst vocational specialist and the HR team at Legoland, Thomas was able to move up into a higher paying role as a cashier.
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