By Andrew Schmidt, GAP Coordinator. In our last article, we introduced the newly formed “Farm to Fork” program implemented through out GAP student garden. We at GAP wanted to take some more time to dive deeper into the goals, opportunities, and educational avenues this innovative experience has presented to our students. Starting from the ground up, our volunteers are privileged in gaining the understanding of how labor intensive producing a single crop really is. In just one season we grow…
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By Andrew Schmidt, GAP Coordinator Iceberg, Kale and Chard….oh my! These greens are but a mere fraction of the staggering amount and variety of past harvests, as well as harvests to come at our GAP Program garden. Every Wednesday, a group of students accompany our horticulturalists Dave Rude to our garden where they learn the process of sewing seeds, planting seedlings, thinning out certain crops, correct watering methods, and of course how to harvest all organic vegetables that we produce.…
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Sherie, Social Media Copywriter Everyone enjoyed themselves at Spectrum State Experience, the GAP art gallery exhibit raising funds for the GAP program. It was an excellent event and many participants in the program invited their friends, family and relatives to the event. Aside from the funds raised from the event, there was over $400 worth of fantastic art purchased throughout the night – much of which can take us anywhere in our imagination with a great deal of detail in…
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Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director Imagine a little boy with autism whose sensory sensitivities limit him from going in the backyard because the sound of butterfly wings is too overwhelming. I knew this boy years ago when he was diagnosed with autism. In my book, his mother wrote a chapter on humor, imagination, empathy and autism. She demonstrated that all these things that are “not supposed” to be part of the lives of those on the spectrum are indeed supposed to…
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Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director Imagine a starry night in Los Angeles. Just the right temperature. And then you see something you probably never could’ve imagined would happen. An athlete from Iran hands the olypmic torch to an athlete from Israel. Then, furthering a climate of acceptance, the torch is passed to Cuba and from Cuba to the United States. The LA 2015, the Special Olympics World Games, brought this to life. And history also takes me back to the meeting I…
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We are just hours away from Autism Awareness Month. A month full of events, celebrations and opportunities to learn more about autism. This year, F.A.C.T. has teamed up with the Los Angeles Public Library to demonstrate our support for autism awareness. GAP Voice (our young adult public speakers) will be touring various libraries and hosting workshops. They will guide you through interactive presentations and discussion, you will hear insights about autism and get tips on how you can help individuals with autism feel…
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By Kharlo and David, GAP Students Five Students went on a special outing to the Los Angeles Contemporary Art Fair on January 30th 2015 located at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica. We saw artist’s work from all over the world. We talked to many galleries about their artist’s work they represented. We dressed very sleek for the occasion and fit right in the scene. Some of our favorite works and artist were represented by ACME Gallery of Los Angeles.…
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Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director A riddle. When is spending every dime that you have a way to save for the future? As California moves to implement its Self-Determination Law this strange axiom will become a mantra. Self-Determination simply means that persons with a disability receiving services from the regional center, will have a large range of choice to design programs and services that they mesh with the goals that are developed in their person-centered plans and implemented by their individual…
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Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director I’d like to introduce to you F.A.C.T. boardmember Fran Goldfarb – my colleague and dear friend. Soon Fran will term out of her position as board member. Please take a moment to read her story joining the FACT community. Take it easy, but take it ~Woodie guthrie It is with very mixed feelings that we bid farewell to retiring board member, Fran Goldfarb. Fran has been with the agency from its birth. Fran was the Family…
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A donation to FACT can go a long way. It can help to sponsor young adults in our transitional program, it can help a little girl attend social skills sessions, it can even help a family get the therapy they need to make 2015 their best year yet. But in a rough economy, you may feel that donating is not in the picture… or is it!? We have 5 ways for you to give to FACT without you spending a…
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