I live on my own, and I work in our community...I’m a participant at Abilities United.

I live on my own, and I work in our community. My name is Martin Odian. I’m

a participant at Abilities United. I’d like to tell you about myself and the experience

I’ve had at Abilities United.

In 2009, at age 25, I started as a participant in the Independent Living Skills program.

I’ve learned a lot of new things since I joined Abilities United. My Adult Services

specialist, Patrick, has helped me learn more about cleaning and cooking, and I really

enjoy living in my own studio apartment.

I work at the Chevron gas station right next door to my apartment. The job involves

a lot of responsibility, and I love it! Each morning at 7 am, I check the gas station and

call Chevron with our inventory. I also work as a cashier and am often the only

employee at the station.

My most favorite thing is being able to go to public policy workshops in Sacramento.

I’m really excited to be doing this! Patrick has helped me establish an

Advocacy Group with other Abilities United participants, and I really enjoy talking and

working with others around the state. I try to advocate for change to help convince

Sacramento in times of very tight budgets to continue and increase state support for services

such as organizations like Abilities United provide to people with disabilities.

Please donate to Abilities United to keep the services we have and help people who need the services.

Abilities United provides good quality services from people who know how to help.

I encourage you to donate to Abilities United now and in the years ahead. Without Abilities United, we

wouldn’t have the good quality services we need. Please join me and give what you can to support our agency!

Thank you!

Martin Odian

Submitted by Martin Odian, participant in Abilities United Independent Living Skills

timing is everything...in so many ways

I had the pleasure of touring a potential volunteer today and had two wonderful, unexpected experiences.

When the volunteer arrived, I asked why he chose Abilities United for his volunteer work when there are so many other organizations to choose. He told me his personal story which began in 1976 he was a high school basketball player. He and his team came to Abilities United to teach the after school students how to play basketball in preparation for Special Olympics. He had a wonderful time and enjoyed working with the students. They impressed him with their energy and eagerness to learn. Having left an indelible mark on him and his life, he continued to think about that group of kids, his 4 hour long teaching experience, and Abilities United for all these years. Now, 35 years later, he finds himself with more time to donate to a nonprofit agency. He said "I always had Abilities United in the back of my mind and wanted to be able to volunteer and contribute what I can to the organization. Those kids really impressed me. Now I have the time and resources to contribute. I hope I can make a difference. They made a difference in my life."

While touring this volunteer, one of the men in the Day Activities program came up to greet us. I have know this man for years and he has always come up to greet visitors but would grab a person's hand and hold on tight. I was surprised, thrilled, and impressed when he walked up to the visitor, reached out his hand, and gently shoot his hand and released his grip within seconds. Wow, what a change in just a few months! I was blown away and learned to always expect the unexpected each time I see the program participants. Each day they are learning new things... it may take a while to "get it", but then suddenly it will "click" and voila, they have acquired and perfected a new skill. This man was proof of the importance of practicing over and over again an act as common place as shaking hands. Learning such skills is an individual accomplishment and something we need to appreciate, celebrate and value in all people. All people have the ability to learn new things...everyone just learns at their own pace...but they will learn given the instruction that works for their learning style.

What an unexpectedly delightful and educational tour this turned out to be for me and apparently, our new volunteer! If you are interested in seeing Abilities United in action and meeting the individuals who make this organization the wonderful community resource that it is, contact 650-494-0550 or info@AbilitiesUnited.org

Submitted by Wendy Kuehnl, Marketing Director

Cafe Zoe a huge, profitable success for artists!

Please join everyone at Abilities United in congratulating the artists (all participants in Abilities United Independent Living Skills program) who sold their original works of art to community members and patrons of Cafe Zoe in Menlo Park. They are obviously very talented...their combined sales of eight pieces earned them a total of $1,200!

Michael sold three pieces at Cafe Zoe which brings him to eight pieces sold in the last 5 months! Michael has earned approximately $2,000 for his art!

Judy sold three pieces for a total of 5 pieces in the last 3 months...over $500 earned from her art.

Joseph's "Stanford Hoover Tower" sold at Cafe Zoe. Over the past 5 years Joseph has sold 5 original works of art to local art lovers.

Xenia's "Slipper" sold as well as another at the Abilities United Authors Luncheon auction.

In addition to congratulating these talented individuals, if you ever happen to be the Cafe Zoe area (1929 Menalto Avenue in Menlo Park) please stop in and thank the staff and owner Kathleen Daly for their wonderful support of the artists. Here is what Kathleen had to say about the exhibit, "The show has been a favorite. And the buzz has definitely created some new faces. I would like to make sure we plan to have this as an annual event." They have already scheduled the second annual Abilities United art exhibit for the month of January 2013!

Art by dozens of artists from Abilities United is also on display at several other local locations this month. The list can be found online http://www.abilitiesunited.org/events and http://www.facebook.com/AbilitiesUnited.org?ref=ts and below:

Woodside Public Library
3140 Woodside Road
Woodside, CA 94062
(650) 851-0147

Family Chiropractic Center
949 Sherwood Avenue
Los Altos, CA 94022
650-949-3636

San Carlos Library
610 Elm St
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 591-0341

Silicon Valley Community Foundation
2440 West El Camino Real, Suite 300
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 450-5400

Peets Coffee & Tea

2600 Broadway Avenue

Redwood City, CA
(650)362-1000
Milestones Preschool art exhibit
Palo Alto Children's Library
1276 Harriet Street
Palo Alto, CA
(650) 329-2134

We welcome the opportunity to display these delightful and beautiful works of art throughout the community so if you have any possible exhibit locations please contactwendy@AbilitiesUnited.org or 650-618-3319

Submitted by Wendy Kuehnl, Director of Marketing, Abilities United

Mountain View resident, Design Loft owner, Hellen Hsieh receives the President’s Volunteer Service award for her design volunteer service with Abiliti

Abilities United is proud to present Hellen Hsieh of Mountain View, who is a two year volunteer with Abilities United (which serves Santa Clara and San Mateo residents with disabilities), the President’s Volunteer Service Call to Action http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/tg/pvsainfo/dspAboutAwards.cfm for her over 200 hours of volunteer work as the art curator for Abilities United http://www.AbilitiesUnited.org

Hellen came to Abilities United in January 2010. She found the “art curator” position on VolunteerMatch. As the proprietor of Design Loft in Mountain View, she wanted to share her design and artist skills to benefit people with disabilities.

The work Hellen does promotes the artist talents of all the artists at Abilities United from all the service areas and programs. Her interior design background and skills make each piece of art shine. Using primarily donated frames and mat boards, Hellen painstaking chooses the frame style, and mat color and cuts the mat to best compliment the artwork. Because the pieces are so beautifully and professionally presented, the art sells more quickly and for a higher price than could be commanded without the frames. Since Hellen has volunteered at Abilities United and has helped increase the number of art exhibits in the community, art appreciators throughout the Bay Area have purchased over 50 original works from the artists. Because Hellen volunteers her time and utilizes donated materials, 100% of the sale can go the artist.

The President’s Volunteer Service award is a very unique and prestigious award as it takes many hours of consistent and continual volunteer work for one individual to donate over 200 hours of community service. Although President Obama won't be present, Hellen Hsieh will receive an official letter, certificate and pin from President Obama and the White House. Staff and participants will be present to congratulate Hellen.

Abilities United held a casual award ceremony to present the awards to Hellen on Monday, January 9, 2012. Hellen was thrilled and totally surprised to learn that the bell ringing ceremony was for her. After receiving her award, gifts and a few rounds of applause and accolades, Hellen got back to work installing 40 original works of art by artists of Abilities United at Zoe's Cafe in Menlo Park 1929 MenAlto Avenue http://www.cafezoemenlopark.com/

Ms. Hsieh explains her passion for promoting the art created by people with developmental disabilities; “I want other people to see the beautiful artwork individuals with disabilities are capable of creating; to help people see their talent and ability rather than their disability. This is an opportunity to give these artists a public space to display their work since they normally don't get to exhibit in galleries.” In 2010, she featured over 30 original works of art by artists from Abilities United at the Design Loft public grand opening. Hellen has also volunteered her interior design skills to renovate the Adult Day Activities staff office, which is a fun and cheering red, black and white theme complimenting the Abilities United brand.

On behalf of everyone involved with Abilities United, many many thanks to Hellen for her great spirit, commitment, and contribution to people with developmental disabilities!

Submitted by Wendy Kuehnl

Young woman excels at decorating birdhouses...sells dozens

-->

Marisol is an artistically talented 26-year-old woman with Down Syndrome and a former student of the Abilities United After School Socialization program. Today, Marisol is an Adult Education student in San Jose where she does volunteer work for organizations such as Meals on Wheels.

Marisol enjoys a lot of things in life but she especially enjoys painting an decorating birdhouses. She and her mother work together to create the designs and select recycled materials as decorating media. Marisol picks her colors, and painstakingly pastes and glues the materials to the birdhouses to create the intricate and complex designs. Each birdhouse is a unique work of art. No two are alike in shape, design or style. When each one is complete, Marisol sits back with a look of satisfaction and pride. She is particularly proud when she sells a birdhouse, as she was just this week when she received $375 for four of her birdhouses. She has used her earnings to pay for a computer, clothes, and recreational activities. She has also donated to Abilities United and saves some of her earnings.

Marisol is also a regular participant and medal winner in Special Olympics track and field, softball, baseball, bowling, floor hockey and basketball. She also enjoys going to dances. She loves Michael Jackson and dances every morning while she waits for her bus and when coloring and painting. She dreams that one day she will be called to be a part of a concert for Michael Jackson. Marisol collects Michael Jackson memorabilia.

Marisol has sold dozens of her creatively decorated wood birdhouses to individuals throughout the Bay Area who appreciate and value her talent. Birdhouses sell for between $50 and $300 dollars depending on the complexity of design. One of her fans, a resident of Woodside and an owner of at least a half dozen of Marisol's creations, so admires her work that she sponsored an auction of the birdhouse and matched the price of each birdhouse sold with a donation to Abilities United!

-->

Artist’s talent is valued; five art pieces purchased by local art appreciators

When Michael first dropped in to Abilities United to show us his 30+ original painting, all of us were, to say the least, extremely impressed... actually blown away. His use of color is incredible. Vibrant colors in combinations that make his artwork pop with emotion and energy. His paintings of nature and animals are whimsical, creative and expressive yet powerful and realistic. He is inspired by and promotes the unity of life, the unity of humans and animals, the unity of the world and universe. He is also a lover of anime so many of his pieces are super human characters. He says he has painted 114 original works of art! And now we are privileged to showcase Michael’s talents throughout the Peninsula and South Bay.

Art appreciators and art lovers are also impressed by Michael’s talents. So much so in the last couple months Michael has sold 5 pieces of art. His "Giraffe in Africa" sold for $140 to Lisa Mancini, the Director of Aging and Adult Services for San Mateo County. “The Transformers” sold for $150 to the Abilities United auditor! His “Flight of the Dragons”, featured in the Abilities United 2012 calendar/annual report, sold for $275 to a woman who is giving it to her grandchild. “Frankenstein meets the Wolfman” sold for $200. And “Paradise Ranch” sold for $500 to a woman on the East Coast who is giving it as a Christmas gift! We were delighted to celebrate Michael’s success with a bell-ringing moment at Abilities United, which included giving him over $1,000 in checks for these various works of art!

Michael’s art has been exhibited at the San Mateo County Council on Disabilities art show and auction in October & November as well as the Abilities United Expo art showcase in November. Two of his pieces were featured at the Abilities United Authors Luncheon and each piece sold. In January and February, numerous pieces will be on display at Zoe’s Café in Menlo Park. We hope to find an anime oriented location to showcase his many anime pieces.

At the San Mateo County Council on Disabilities exhibit, Michael spoke to potential buyer/bidders about his artwork. He took the opportunity to speak to the crowd and explained a bit about himself and his artwork. He expressed appreciation for the services he receives at the ARC (in Daly City) and Abilities United. He drove it all home with a final sentence: "I'm the happiest man alive."

Thanks to you, the Abilities United Authors Luncheon 20th Anniversary was a huge success...raised $200K

On November 5, the 20th Anniversary Authors Luncheon was attended by a sell-out crowd of 650 book lovers who gathered at the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel to be entertained by authors Calvin Trillin, Maxine Hong Kingston, Erik Larsen and local children's book author, Jennifer Holm. Thanks to the enthusiastic leadership of Carolyn Brennan and Gina Rayfield, the help of 65 volunteers, and the generosity of event sponsors and attendees, the luncheon was a record success!

ABC7 news anchor, Carolyn Johnson, joined us this year as our very enthusiastic emcee. Abilities United Executive Director, Lynda Steele, highlighted 20 years of accomplishments of the Authors Luncheon which included over $2 million raised for services for people with developmental and physical disabilities, 92 world renowned authors who have donated their time and talent, over a thousand community volunteers, and countless community businesses contributing to this popular event!

This year, the audience was moved by Andy Ramans' story about his son's 40-year history with Abilities United - from infancy to independence. Laura Arrilllaga-Andreessen, whose mother Fran Arrillaga was the first honorary chair of the Authors Luncheon, spoke passionately about her mother's example of philanthropy and gifted her new book, Giving 2.0, to all of the guests.

Our community partner, Books Inc. provided their expertise and assistance to recruit the authors and manage the Book Salon which featured the 2011 authors as well as books from past Authors Luncheon speakers.

Finally, the event was topped off with the Abilities United Art Auction, which featured original works of art from a dozen artists from Abilities United, 16 pieces of art sold for a total of over $1,600 going directly to the artists!

Can you image a better way to spend a Saturday? Gathering with hundreds of fellow literary aficionados while you support the mission of Abilities United! Please join us at the 2012 Abilities United Authors Luncheon! For more information about the luncheon or how to be a 2012 sponsor, contact Michele@AbilitiesUnited.org 650-618-3330.

Watch your email and mailbox for the date announcement for the 2012 Authors Luncheon. It sells out each year and you won't want to miss it!