ETTA.org

In recognition of Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, we're shining a spotlight on our amazing team who support the people we serve at ETTA.

Meet Arlene, another one of our amazing DSPs! Here’s a little about her:

📽️ Favorite Movie Genre: Scary movies, like Halloween and Friday the 13th!

⚒️ Career Goals: To become a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) to help individuals who have conditions that affect their communication.

🎨 Hobbies & Interests: Art, drawing, reading, baking and making balloon animals.

Thanks, Arlene, for everything you do for ETTA!

In recognition of Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, we're shining a spotlight on our amazing team who support the people we serve at ETTA.

Meet Jaqueline, another one of our amazing DSPs! She supports our and clients with a variety of activities. Here’s a little about her:

🐶 Family: Two adult kids and three dogs

⚒️ Past Careers: Cosmetologist, real estate broker, law firms, and now ETTA!

📣 “I believe that every generation has so much to offer the next generation and vice versa. That’s why I feel so rewarded working with the ETTA community.”

Thanks, Jacqueline, for everything you do for ETTA!

In recognition of Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, we're shining a spotlight on our amazing team who support the people we serve at ETTA.

Meet Miranda, one of our amazing DSPs! She supports our and clients with a variety of activities. Here’s a little about her:

📽️ Favorite Movie: Princess Mononoke

♟️How She Likes to Connect: Playing games with friends and family

✈️ Dream Destination: New Zealand to “...to try a new place and explore somewhere new!”

Thanks, Miranda, for everything you do for ETTA!

It's Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week!

This week, we're celebrating the amazing individuals who make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Your dedication and passion mean the world to us. Thank you for all you do!

Mini art, maximum fun! 🎨

Our residents had a blast creating their own mini mixed media masterpieces. They chose their favorite image, painted it on a canvas, and added a pop of color with buttons. The finished pieces turned out amazing!

A huge shoutout to all the amazing athletes who competed in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games! We can’t wait to cheer you on in LA in 2028! 🏆 🎉

A day of art and discovery! 🖼️

Our crew had a fantastic time being inspired by the incredible art at The Broad They gained new ideas for future projects and even sharpened their critical eye for the various forms of contemporary art.

From the Mailroom to the Boardroom: Your Role in Building a Neuroinclusive Workplace

We're excited to join NEXT for AUTISM and the Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation (The Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation) for a FREE live panel discussion at UCLA on building a more neuroinclusive workforce.

Date: Thursday, September 12th, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM PT
Location: University of California, Los Angeles
Cost: Free, but registration is required!
Registration: NEXTforAUTISM.org/panel24

Ocean waves, creative vibes! 🌊 🎨

Both our and folks have been diving deep into , exploring the significance of saying a bracha by the sea. Our artists painted stunning ocean scenes on canvas, complete with seashells and sandy shores.

Overcoming fears together one cookie at a time! 🍪

Our residents had a blast exploring the meaning of a thunder bracha during a recent class. Inspired by the heartwarming story of the "Thunder Cookie Promise," where an older sister helps her younger sister overcome her fear of thunder, our bakers whipped up some delicious cookies. It was a sweet way to learn about courage and friendship!

Thank you to Colin Farrell Foundation for sharing James' story and their commitment to supporting adults with disabilities. At ETTA, we also believe in building communities where everyone feels valued and connected. We’re excited to see what’s next for the Foundation!

What impact do you think inclusive living has on us and our communities? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Colin Farrell Starts Foundation in Honor of Son with Angelman Syndrome as He Opens Up About Their Life (Exclusive) Colin Farrell is launching a foundation in honor of his 20-year-old son who has Angelman syndrome. The actor opens up to PEOPLE about their life together, saying he thinks his son James is "magic."

During a recent class, residents explored the wonderful world of brachos (blessings) at ETTA’s Group Homes! The focus was on "borei minai besamim," the blessing said before enjoying a pleasant fragrance. To bring this blessing to life, residents crafted a beautiful art project with sweet-smelling cloves to use during Havdalah, the ceremony concluding Shabbos.

Next, residents played a lively game of “Shabbos Brachos Bingo”! It was a delightful and engaging way to learn and have fun together.

Straw-some Artwork! 🎨

Our artists-in-training in ETTA's ditched the brushes and picked up straws for a super fun session! They blew their way to amazing floral masterpieces that will look great on any wall.

Baking with a Bracha!

A few of our amazing crew donned their chef hats and whipped up some beautiful challah bread for Shabbos. And no challah-baking is complete without a heartfelt bracha (blessing)! The smell of fresh-baked bread throughout the home was truly mouthwatering. 🤤

During our last Vacation Day, ETTA CONNECTIONS turned up the heat with a sizzling scavenger hunt at Northridge Fashion Center 🔍

Participants were asked to solve a list of clues, each revealing a new location within the shopping center. At each location, an ETTA team member was waiting to stamp their list and send them on their next adventure! Once all the clues were cracked and stamps collected, the fun continued at Dave & Buster's with tasty food and arcade games!

Can you solve this clue from the scavenger hunt: "This store has two letters and offers affordable fashion"? 🤔

Let's see those detective skills! Leave your answer in the Comments below. 👇

ETTA.org and Israel Elwyn beat the heat with a cool treat! ☀️

This past Monday, ETTA’s friends at Israel Elwyn, an organization in Israel that supports over 5,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, joined us for a virtual ice cream social!

Homemade chocolate, strawberry, and cookie crumble (delish!) were just a few of the mouthwatering flavors whipped up by participants.

Distance can't stop these sweet connections! We're so grateful for the global friendships that blossom through our partnership with Israel Elwyn.

Looking to make a difference? 🙋‍️

Volunteer with ! We have tons of fun events happening year-round, and we need your help to make them amazing.

As a volunteer, you'll get to:
- Connect with the incredible people we serve
- Learn new skills
- Have a blast!

Interested? DM us or email Leah Schachter, our Director of Volunteers and Special Programs at [email protected]. We can't wait to meet you!

Every Thursday, ETTA.org teams up with the awesome folks at Food Forward Inc. to distribute fresh fruits & veggies to ETTA staff, clients, residents, and the local community. Thanks to , we also pick up from local grocery stores, including and ! ETTA spreads veggie love and healthy habits by assisting with sorting and distribution. It's a fun way to make a difference!

The Beet-tails:

🥦 When: Every Thursday at 12p
🍎 Where: ETTA Offices (13034 Saticoy St., N. Hollywood, CA 91605)
🥕 Why: Healthy eating + reducing food waste + giving back = winning for everyone!

Meet Alister and his support staff, Gary!

Gary has been a direct support professional for 's Supported Living Services program for over 3 years. He provides personalized in-home assistance to help Alister achieve his independence goals, develop life skills, and build strong connections within the community. It's all about empowering Alister to thrive!

“When I started working with Alister, I knew it was going to be a challenge because of how nonverbal he is and his vision impairment,” shared Gary. “I built rapport with Alister, spending countless hours learning his hand signals, tendencies, and the different phases he goes through each week.”

“My goal was to support him as much as possible to help him transition from a group home to his own home and develop daily living skills to help him work towards some level of independence,” continued Gary.

Alister loves listening to music, going for walks, and taking long car rides with Gary. Gary has been steadily working with Alister on several life skills, like brushing his teeth, using utensils while eating at the table, developing new hand signs and much more.

“Alister has met his goals of learning his entire home, turning the shower on and off, picking up his things, and putting away his laundry,” said Gary. “Our newest goal is to get Alister out of the house daily and to support him in the community as best as possible.”

What’s next for Gary and Alister? More music events, parties in the park, trips to local restaurants, and connections within the community.

“Alister has great potential for growth towards his independence with the support of dedicated staff,” said Gary, “and I look forward to seeing his progress over the years to come!"

**Cuteness overload at **

Last week was all about 's value of tzar baalei chaim (treating animals kindly) by engaging with an interactive bunny zoo. It was a great way for the people we serve to practice gentleness and empathy towards animals, in a holistic, enriching way for people with diverse needs. These photos capture just a fraction of the joy and “hoppiness” in the air!

🐇💕🤗

Welcome to Our Homes! 🏡

Our residents celebrated the spirit of hachnasat orchim, the Jewish value of hospitality, by creating beautiful welcome signs. Sarah Manne, ETTA’s Specialist, led everyone through inspiring Torah stories about spreading warmth and inclusivity, which is what ETTA is all about!

Summer Kickoff at MB2 Raceway 🏎💨

Last week was all about kicking off summer the right way for our ETTA clients! We spent the day at the incredible MB2 Raceway in Santa Clarita, as part of our CONNECTIONS program.

The smiles were endless as our clients got to:

🏁 Race high-speed go-karts around the track
🛥️ Splash around in the bumper boats
🔫 Battle it out in laser tag
⛳ Putt around the mini golf course
🕹️ Play unlimited arcade games

It was a much-needed day of joy, laughter and making amazing memories. We can't wait for more Vacation Days full of adventures this summer! 🙌

CONNECTIONS

ETTA Gives Back 💓

Our CONNECTIONS program volunteer activities are thriving! Every week clients spend time at , preparing meals for those in need. also delivers some of the OBKLA meals to an organization supporting Israeli-American cancer patients and their families. Working with Our Big Kitchen LA allows our clients to complete the circle of giving and receiving.

ETTA Clients Rally for Services 🗣️💪

Last week, ETTA clients gathered outside the Van Nuys State Office Building to self-advocate for promised government funding, holding handmade signs expressing how services help them live fuller, more independent lives.

“The rally was a crucial opportunity for the IDD community to unite and make their voices heard,” said Kathy Zimmerman, ETTA’s Director of Program Operations. “The incredible turnout demonstrated the community's support for this message to Gavin Newsom: Services for individuals with IDD are at risk without the promised rate reform. It's time to keep that promise!”