Charlie Weidanz Perspectives on his first 90 days as executive director of Abilities United

Dear Abilities United Friends,

Exciting. Invigorating. Energizing. Heartfelt. Innovative. Engaging.
 

These are the words that come to mind as I reflect on my first days at Abilities United. It has been such a pleasure to work with our passionate and dedicated Board and staff, and engage with our participants, families, donors, and community leaders and members, Our vision of creating a barrier-free society for all has come alive for me in the past 90 days. And I have been deeply moved.
 

What has become so clear is the huge impact that Abilities United has in our community – and the tremendous opportunities still ahead. Our strong reputation for quality services underlines how fortunate I am to lead this remarkable team. Let me share with you some of my recent experiences.
 

My introduction to life at Abilities United has been accelerated by the many employees and participants who have warmly welcomed me to their meetings, programs, and daily activities.
The individuals we serve are our strongest spokespeople for the community impact made possible by our agency. They are quick to tell me how much they love their volunteer jobs or their art and music lessons. I’ve seen our adult participants develop cooking, cleaning, and job skills as they establish their independence. And I’ve been in awe of the impact made upon the young children and families who have turned to the agency for help – and found hope, education, and respite.
 

Meeting our donors has also given me invaluable insight into the value we deliver in our community. They have shared inspiring personal stories with me. So many of them have generously supported our organization for years, setting record levels of contribution in just the past twelve months. Their insights have shed light on the opportunity we have to our services to address the needs of our aging and changing participants.

Throughout the Bay Area, we share our core mission with a number of agencies and organizations and will be stronger in partnership than apart. In the past several months I have had
the pleasure of meeting Javier Zaldivar, new director of the San Andreas Regional Center (SARC); Ray Smith, new CEO of Hope Services; James Shorter, executive director of the Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC); and David Fleischman, executive director of the Child Care Coordinating
Council (4Cs.) We are clearly united in our efforts to provide the best services possible for people with developmental disabilities. Together, we will seek new ways to serve in our community. I also had the pleasure of being inducted into Palo Alto Rotary, and was invited as one of 15 to join
Leadership Palo Alto.
 

I continue to be impressed with the dedication of our staff. Our services have continued seamlessly throughout this time of transition. Despite the permanent closure of the Betty Wright Swim Center, we now deliver aquatic services at the Timpany Center in San Jose and Channing House in Palo Alto. Recently, we expanded those services using the indoor, accessible pool at the Sequoias – Portola Valley. Our employment services team has been busy placing adults in a range of new positions including jobs at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. And as we plan for our future, our redevelopment
committee is working hard on a new conceptual facilities master plan they plan to complete by the start of 2015.
 

Most of all, I have felt the passion of Abilities United while participating in numerous events held in our community. We executed a very successful swimming program in Redwood City for over 400 low-income children and their families. I was so pleased to be a part of their celebration along with
Mayor Jeffrey Gee and the director of Parks and Recreation. And in September, I experienced first-hand the Aquathon as both an emcee and a swimmer. I can’t think of a better way to
understand what inclusion is all about. You could feel the joy and excitement as each swim team demonstrated what is possible, surrounded by cheering crowds. Let me thank all of our participants, staff, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and board members who made the Aquathon so successful. After this, I can’t wait for my first Authors Luncheon event scheduled for November 1.

What an opportunity for me to be a part of Abilities United. I look forward to continuing this positive momentum for the remainder of year and the exciting future ahead.
 

Best regards,

Charlie Weidanz, Executive Director

ED Charlie Weidanz Perspective on his first 90 days at Abilities United

Introducing Charlie Weidanz, our new executive director

Dear Friends,

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as the new Executive Director of Abilities United. This exciting opportunity fulfills my personal goal of leading a premier human service agency that is committed to inclusive, meaningful work in the community.

Abilities United has clearly changed lives in ways not imagined even a decade ago. Throughout my 30+ year career with the YMCA, I too, have been committed to providing meaningful and impactful services for people with disabilities with a focus on inclusion. As the new Executive Director, I pledge to closely collaborate with our talented staff to help the children and adults, families, and community we serve reach a new level of inclusion and contribution.

I have quickly come to respect this agency and the passion and commitment of
the staff, volunteers, donors and partners. Together, we will build on Abilities United’s strong foundation to further benefit the organization and position it for the future. We will continue to adapt to the growing and emerging needs of our community. My goal is to further develop and enhance our lifetime of services for people with disabilities, their families, and all community members who can benefit from them.

I proudly take the reins as we strive to make Abilities United a lead agency that drives the true inclusion of people of all abilities. I look forward to beginning this exciting new phase of Abilities United with you.

Over the next months, we will be in touch with you regarding Abilities United events that give me an opportunity to meet you. In the meantime, if you have any questions or just want to say hello, feel free to email charliew@AbilitiesUnited.org, call me at 650-618-3312, or stop by my office.

Thank you for your commitment and dedication to Abilities United and the people who need and benefit from our services.

Sincerely,

Charlie Weidanz
Executive Director

Lynda Steele, Executive Director of Abilities United, retirement speech at Board of Directors hosted retirement party

 

Lynda Steele gives her retirement speech to over 100 guests at
her May 1, 2014 retirement party hosted by the Board of Directors.

Dear friends,

My decision to retire seemed like the right time for me and Abilities United as we ended our 50th year of service to the community and started on our next 50 years.

Little did I know when I began this journey that being the leader of Abilities United would be such an amazing and life changing experience.  So many of you in this room tonight have supported me, and the agency, over many years in many varied and wonderful ways. I want to share some highlights tonight about how your support and this experience has enriched my life and made me who I am today.

As Nancy Parker knew when I was first hired, I had some fundamental values and beliefs, which laid a good foundation for my role as ED.  I grew up poor and homeless in England but the values that my parents, community, and education instilled in me led me to a career in social services.  At college I read a quote that has stayed with me – one measure of a society’s civilization is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.  Early in my career, I witnessed the abuse and exploitation of people with disabilities who lived in dreadful conditions in British institutions.  When I was recruited to transition the residents out of one of those awful places and into the community, I couldn’t turn down that opportunity to help transform these archaic services. The 350 people who moved into the community thrived for the first time in their lives…and they became my friends. A few still write to me to this day.

So when I moved to the United States, Abilities United was the perfect place for me to land because our founding families also believed in a better future for their children outside of institutional walls. They fought long and hard for their children’s right to live in the community.

So there I was in 1993…the new ED of the agency. I was not born a leader but I did learn from many of you in this room what leadership truly means. I had some very good role models; especially in board members. The leadership of every Board and Board President brought a steadying hand and wisdom to guide me. They inspired me with their compassion, understanding, and resilience especially during very tough financial times.

The Board also gave me the gift of leadership development. They arranged for me to attend nonprofit leadership programs at the Harvard Business School, the Center for Creative leadership -where I met and learnt from Peter Drucker no less - and the leadership Institute at the Center for Excellence in Non-profits. These educational opportunities taught me the value of best business practices and strategies, and how to translate them to Abilities United. I learnt that business practices benefit Abilities United and the people who use our services. These leadership lessons helped me alter how I viewed my role as ED.  I stopped saying “I manage a non-profit” to saying “I lead a nonprofit.”

This new mantel of leadership could not be possible without the deep and meaningful relationship I have with the parents and the people we serve.  They role modeled leadership for me as leaders in their own right. They have taught me so much about trust, resilience, determination, compassion and love, even in the face of what seems like the most insurmountable challenges.  They are what keeps me fighting for what is right and for taking on the challenges and joys of being the Abilities United Executive Director.

Speaking of challenges, when the Board hired me, they didn’t exactly explain that I would also have to become a fundraiser. I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into this! My first experience asking an individual for money was nothing short of enlightening. It happened before I became the Executive Director. We had invited Lucile Packard to visit because we needed funding to build a new facility on Charleston Road. Everything was planned, everyone knew about the visit and a careful presentation had been prepared by staff. Lucile walked into our building but things did not go according to plan.  Lucile was introduced to Karen, a person with Down Syndrome. As she was shaking hands with Lucile, Karen, totally unexpectedly, said “So you’re going to give us the money – aren’t you? “ Lucile, very graciously, replied “Of course I will” and so she did. I was amazed and impressed by Karen’s straight forward approach. This experience made me start to learn about fundraising. Over time I now realize  what an  honor and a privilege it is to ask for a donation to benefit the people we serve.

My greatest inspiration though is what is happening everyday at Abilities United!  The very people with disabilities that we serve have found their own voice to fight for their rightful place in the community. They are conducting voter registration drives, educating themselves about public policy, and becoming the strong self-advocates. They have humbled me and amazed me with their perseverance and belief that they can fulfill their dreams. My relationships with the people we serve have been the most meaningful of all. We have cried together, we have laughed together. Each of these individuals have been an integral part of my life and have taught me countless lessons, too many to recount.

However, one anecdote is particularly memorable. I was returning to my office from two very difficult meetings. I was tired and very grumpy. As I walked into the office, a young man from the Adult Services program followed me to my office and asked if I was OK.  I muttered something about having a bad day. He stood in my office, stared at my feet, and matter-of-factly said, “I just needed to let you know your feet look strange.  You are wearing a black shoe on one foot and a beige one on the other!”  I was embarrassed at that discovery but thanked him for letting me know.  He simply stated; “I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets things wrong around here.” Suddenly we; a participant and an Executive Director; were on “equal footing” pun intended.  His honesty and humor, and our shared human fallibility bonded us. That early experience stayed with me each day of my 20+ years as Executive Director and gave me perspective on what is important in life and work.

None of these life changing experiences and lessons would have been possible without your support, understanding, wisdom and guidance and for this I am eternally grateful. My closest friends who are here tonight have supported me greatly because they know how rewarding this work has been for me and we are now looking forward to spending some quality time together. I want to thank them for their support and the greater balance they brought to my life.

So a big shout-out to each and every one of you here tonight and a heartfelt thank you. And rest assured I shall keep a close eye on what Abilities United accomplishes in the future – I know it will be exciting because - there is never a dull moment at Abilities United.  I cannot think of a better organization to go beyond imagining, to creating a fully inclusive community. Thank you, it’s been a privilege!

Lynda Steele, Executive Director
May 1, 2014 retirement speech

Abilities United Moves Ahead with Agency-wide Redevelopment Planning

The Board of Directors of Abilities United, at its March meeting, affirmed its commitment to begin planning activities needed for the redevelopment of all Abilities United facilities including a new, state-of-the-art aquatics center.  The existing facilities consist of three 1960s-era buildings, including the closed aquatic center, currently serving over 2,500 children and adults, and an administrative facility built in the 1980s.

The decision to pursue long-term redevelopment planning came just six months after the unexpected October 2013 closure of the Betty Wright Aquatic Center due to the aging 40+ year-old facility that could no longer be repaired.  That event became a catalyst for Abilities United to accelerate future plans that had already been under discussion, following a comprehensive assessment of all its programs completed in 2011. 

“Developing modern facilities commensurate with the quality of the services the community has relied upon for 50 years presents exciting opportunities for innovation and collaboration,” said Board President, Karen Moore.  “This progress and clear commitment will enable the Board, our new executive leader and our supporters to shape the future together.” Abilities United is forming a Redevelopment Task Force focused on the master planning.  The organization is also recruiting for a successor to long-time Executive Director Lynda Steele, who will retire in June 2014.

United for the Future Campaign Launched

In addition to launching the facilities redevelopment planning, Abilities United has also completed the initial phase of their “United for the Future” campaign to raise $2 million for programs and services that offer integration and inclusion opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families.  The campaign was launched in January 2013 and has raised $1.2 million as of April 1, 2014. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation made a campaign lead gift of $250,000.   Others have also donated to campaign naming opportunities as well as the general campaign. New programs that will result from this fundraising effort include “Art for Inclusion”, “Drowning Prevention for At-Risk Youth”, and service scholarships as well as Children’s Services staff development training and an updated accessible playground.  

The entire Abilities United board has contributed to this campaign through their donations of  $134,000 for the new “Lynda Steele Leadership Fund”, in honor of the retiring Executive Director. 

The remaining $800,000 will be raised through the continued efforts of the campaign cabinet composed of Palo Alto community members including co-chairs Dr. Harry Hartzell and Elizabeth B. Wolf, as well as Shirley Bob, Stan Parry and Ellen Turbow.  Dr. Hartzell states,  "I see this campaign as a way to help provide quality facilities and needed services for people with disabilities far into the future. As a medical doctor and as an Abilities United board member, I have seen the benefits of Abilities United services to the community.  It’s been rewarding to see Abilities United develop and grow though good times and hard times; it is somewhat of a miracle to see a service organization like this survive 50 years.  I find it gratifying to use my experience to help provide for the future of this organization that I have been engaged with for 40 years. As co-chair of this campaign, I can accomplish something worthwhile for the future of the Abilities United and people with disabilities.”

The Abilities United 2014 fundraising campaign will focus on raising an additional $800,000 with a goal of reaching the $2 million by January 2015.  Donations can be made at AbilitiesUnited.org or for more information contact Carol Lillibridge, Campaign and Planned Giving Director at 650-618-3328 or carol@abilitiesunited.org

Facilities Redevelopment Planning Begins

Founded in 1963 by 12 local families as an alternative to institutionalization for their children with developmental disabilities, Abilities United has grown to provide a wide range of comprehensive life-long services for children and adults through education, training and support services that enable those with disabilities to be integrated into the community.  In addition to aquatics, its current programs focus on children’s development, family support and adult services, reflecting a vision for communities in which people of all abilities learn, live, work and play together.  New facilities will open possibilities to fully realize that vision and create a national model.

 “Taking a comprehensive approach to planning and design for all our facilities will leverage community investment and offer the greatest potential for innovative programs and services to meet increasing needs,” said Abilities United Board President Karen Moore.  “We are very gratified by the level of interest being expressed by members of the community and by volunteers who are stepping forward to offer their expertise and support at this important time.”

Interim Aquatic Services Added to Meet Community Needs

Since the aquatic center closure, significant progress has been made to provide aquatic services at interim locations, evaluate options for rebuilding, and assess long-term related community needs. The agency has successfully sought several interim locations and new partners to continue providing aquatic therapy services.  At DeAnza Cupertino Aquatics (DACA), Abilities United offers continuum of care services, from physical therapy to group rehabilitation classes. In San Jose, at Timpany Center, hydrotherapy services are provided to adults with severe neuromuscular skeletal conditions.

As of March 31, 2014, Channing House in Palo Alto was added to the list, with continuation of the popular Betty Wright Swim School private lesson program. Abilities United is in negotiations with the Redwood City Parks and Recreation Department to provide a drowning prevention program tailored to Latino families and their children at the at Hoover Pool. Information about the interim programs is available online at http://www.abilitiesunited.org/bettywrightaquaticcenter.

In recent years, the Betty Wright Aquatics Center has offered aquatic physical therapy, aquatic personal 1:1 training, small group fitness and rehab classes, adapted aquatics, pre- and post-surgery services, and an array of services for individuals with chronic, neurological, orthopedic and developmental conditions; a curriculum-based, learn-to-swim program from parent/tot to pre-swim team; and health education and wellness classes for pregnant women.

“This program has literally been a life-saver for some of my patients,” said Palo Alto Medical Foundation physician Sal AbiEzzi, MD.  Prior to its closure, the pool at the Betty Wright Aquatics Center was being used by thousands of community members. As the baby boomers age, the need for aquatics therapy is expected to grow significantly.  Unlike recreational warm-water pools, a therapy pool requires a consistent temperature of 93 degrees. In addition to meeting this standard, the aquatic center named after it’s founder, Betty Wright, reflected its visionary founder’s advanced understanding of features that today are known as “Universal” design, ensuring ease of access for people of all ages and abilities. 1960s-era construction techniques and plumbing were not as advanced, however, and in recent years, the pool began experiencing maintenance issues that ultimately led to its closure. 

Among the real estate professionals currently providing volunteer guidance on the redevelopment planning are Robert Reidy, Barbara Schussman, Bill Phillips, Randy Popp and Paula Shaviv.

In addition, a team of students at the Stanford School of Engineering advised by Associate Professor of Management Science & Engineering Riitta Katila recently completed a project to examine the potential for a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient aquatics center.  The group will present its report called “LEED and ADA User Optimized Design—The Betty Wright Aquatic Center” at Abilities United in April.

Press release written by Wendy Kuehnl, Abilities United Marketing Director

Four Abilities United employees received Sweetheart Awards from Palo Alto Unified School District

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Lynda Steele, Abilities United Executive Director, accepts
her "Sweetheart" award from PAUSD.

Congratulations to fourAbilities United employees, including Executive Director, Lynda Steele; Computer Education Manager, Pamela Newman; After School Socialization Manager, Misty Accristo, and After School Socialization Specialist, Erica Davis for receiving the “Sweetheart” award at the Palo Alto Unified School District’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC) 10^th annual Sweetheart Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, February 26. The Sweetheart awards are given to honor local PAUSD employees and community members who have made a positive difference in the lives of special needs students.   “Sweethearts” are nominated by students and their families for their exemplary service, friendship, and for helping students feel connected and competent in their respective areas.  The nomination letter describing their kindness is read for the audience at the awards where they are publicly recognized for going above and beyond.
 

Palo Alto resident Rachel Paley, nominated Lynda Steele, who is retiring from her position as Executive Director of Abilities United in 2014;  "From the entire special needs community, we wish Lynda health, happiness, rest, and pursuit of new interests, with the deepest thanks for all of her work on our behalf in the past".

The nomination letters for Pamela Newman, Misty Accristo, and Erica Davis described the team as “flexible”, “accommodating”, and describes their work as “trains her to have stamina and orientation as a future desk worker.  These skills will open doors to be gainfully employed and enjoy a higher quality of life.” 

“It’s a very public thank you and a big party celebrating wonderful people” shared founder of the awards Tina Underwood. “The world at large needs to hear, know, and understand that kindness can make a huge difference to a child with a special need.  Truly, saying ‘Hi’ to my son and acknowledging him as a person seems like a small thing, but it is huge for my son.”

The Sweetheart Awards is a wonderful way for parents, teachers, and students to honor the generous, gracious, and supportive spirit in our schools and our community.  Often, people do not feel they have a suitable way to say thank you to those who support our students; this is an annual celebration of these dedicated people,” described Special Education Director Holly Wade.

Nominations have been collected from PAUSD parents for the past few months and more than 80 nominees were recognized at the ceremony. Each nominee received flowers and a certificate.  A reception in their honor followed the ceremony. The event was held in the PAUSD Board room at 25 Churchill Ave. at 7:30 p.m. 

Stafford Family: Abilities United has been a blessing

 

The Stafford Family have become increasingly engaged with Abilities United

Peyton attends Abilities United’s Milestones Preschool Pre-K program. He was diagnosed with Regressive Autism just after his second birthday. The first 15 months of his life were amazing – he was a very happy, alert baby and was very talkative and social. Between 16 and 19 months, he lost all of his speech except for the word “Ha”, became very introverted and wanted to spend all his day lining things up. His diagnosis confirmed our fears. My husband has a 17 year old cousin who is Classically Autistic. She was diagnosed at birth, but at that time, there were not as many options for therapy. Early Intervention was not available back then so she was not given the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to live independently. So much has changed in the 15 years between her diagnosis and Peyton’s, and we are so thankful for the advances in early diagnosis, early intervention and therapy.

Peyton started Early Intervention, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy within two months of his diagnosis. I enrolled in a study at the Stanford Psychiatry Clinic on Pivotal Response Therapy. We started intensive one-on-one Behavioral therapy called ABA 10 months after his diagnosis, and by his third birthday, Peyton was talking, had great eye contact, and was social! He qualified for a social skills group and minimal speech therapy through our school district and we enrolled him at Milestones preschool. We also enrolled him in the Abilities United Therapy Clinic’s social skills group for 3-4 year olds.

These past 15 months at Abilities United have been such a blessing for our family. I describe Milestones preschool as an inclusive program in a loving environment with an exceptional staff that will work with your child and prepare them for life. This is what they have done for us. Peyton moved up to the Pre-K program in May and is expected to be mainstreamed into public Kindergarten next Fall. I have involved myself more into the Abilities United community. It’s a small sign of gratitude for this wonderful agency. This past summer I took a leadership role in the Children’s Development Services Parent and Staff Association and participated in the recent Aquathon. Peyton and my husband had such a great time swimming in the event!

I was lucky to have been able to stop working in order to focus on Peyton and get him the therapy he has needed to get where he is today. All of the therapy and interventions have given me back my son and has opened the door to a life full of possibilities for him. If you had asked me two years ago what I imagined Peyton’s life to be like, I would have painted a pretty dark picture. But, with all the progress he’s made in just these two years, I now am more optimistic and see great things in his future. I see him having lots of friends. I see him playing sports, possibly even as a team captain! I see him graduating high school and college. I see him falling in love and having a family of his own. But, most of all, I see him happy and seeing people for who they are, rather than whatever disability or developmental delay they may have, and I credit our time at Abilities United for that.


Written by Leslie Stafford and presented at the Abiliities United 50th anniversary celebration on April 25, 2013.

Tracey and Laurie Jarrett: Abilities United is a lifeline

Tracey Jarrett and her family have had a
lifelong relationship with Abilities United

The wonderful progress that has been made over  the years both by Abilities United and its clients could not have happened without the efforts of many parents in the community. A great example is Laurie Jarrett.

In 1973, Laurie learned that her baby daughter Tracey had Down Syndrome. “I was in shock,” says Laurie.   “Tracy started in the infant stimulation program when she was four months old. The agency (Abilities United) was an absolute lifeline for me; Tracy was learning and so was I.”

“All the literature for Down Syndrome at that time emphasized very low expectations,” says Laurie. “That just did not sit well with me.  I raised Tracy with the same expectations I had for my other two daughters. That was all reinforced at the agency as well.”

Through what is now Abilities United, Tracy became involved with swimming and then Special Olympics.  She would continue swimming at Abilities United for years. After going through the public school system, Tracy again re-engaged with Abilities United in 2002, which led to a job a local movie theater. “She worked there for five years and she loved it,” says Laurie. “She was so proud to put on her uniform and go to work at the theater.”

From her participation in the Abilities United Independent Living Skills Program Tracey developed the skills that enable her to live with greater independence, and today she has her own apartment in Palo Alto. “ "The Abilities United Employment Services helped Tracey get job at Stanford working for food services in one of the dorms,” says Laurie. “It’s just wonderful.”

“This is a lifetime association with the agency,” says Laurie. “When Tracy had her 40th birthday, it was a given that we’d have the party at Abilities United.” Laurie shares a photo from an Abilities United Author’s Luncheon, where both mother and daughter are beaming. “You can see there how proud I am,” she says, as she brushes away a tear of happiness. 

Her advice to parents of a child with Down Syndrome? “Contact Abilities United right now. It will be the best thing that ever happened to you and your family.”

Based on a 2013 interview. Written by Bob Thomas. Edited by Laurie Jarrett and Wendy Kuehnl