Mychal's Learning Place believes that children and adults
 with developmental disabilities deserve to be challenged with opportunities that build self-esteem and independence,
            creating long term success for life.


 April Newsletter 2016  
 Contact Us 
Mychal's Learning Place
4901 W. Rosecrans Ave.
Hawthorne, CA 90250
ph. 310-297-9333
fax. 310-297-9343
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501(c)3:4871202

In This Issue
 
Greetings!

 
Happy April! Springtime is well underway. I hope that this newsletter finds you all at peace, enjoying the beauty that is springtime. Welcome to our latest newsletter to keep you updated on what's happening at  Mychal's Learning Place.  
 Please pass on this newsletter to your family & friends.

 
 
2016 Annual Luncheon and Auction  
Sunday, May 22, 2016
11:30am to 3:00pm

 
Come join us at the Manhattan Beach Marriott on Sunday, May 22 for a great lunch, entertainment by our talented students, our Angel Award presentation, and a fantastic silent & live auction that supports the many programs offered at Mychal's Learning Place.  If you would like to help out in any way (sponsorship, auction items, etc.), please call 310-297-9333.  Registration is OPEN NOW --- don't wait! 
               

Thank you to our sponsors:
Gold 

Silver
Granite Investment Partners
Newman Aaronson Vanaman
L5 Real Estate Investments 
Wells Fargo
Jan Doak
Chevron

Bronze 
Lyn & Laurie Konheim
Judith & Jerrold Felsenthal 
 
                                 

 
Howl at the Moon Café 
 
 


We've hired our first part time barista! We are
happy to announce that Melinda Lee is the first student to complete the Howl at the Moon Coffee training program, and has been hired by Mychal's Learning Place. Melinda attends our M.I.L.E. program and is also a student at El Camino College. She will be graduating this May with an Associate degree in Office Administration. In addition to being a dedicated student, Melinda enjoys playing the piano and volunteering in  Mychal's after school program. We are incredibly proud of all that Melinda has learned and accomplished. Congratulations Melinda!



Mychal's Howl at the Moon Café has begun a new partnership with Mattel. Every Thursday afternoon, our HATM crew is selling specialty coffee beverages and homemade baked goods to Mattel employee's in their Design Center. Mattel has always demonstrated tremendous support for Mychal's Learning Place and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to build on that relationship. Two students from our  M.I.L.E. program, Silvia Navarro and Melinda Lee, will be making lattes, homemade chai lattes, cold brew iced coffee, and other delicious hot and cold drinks, as well as selling our homemade baked goods, every Thursday from 2:00pm-4:00pm.

 
Also, don't forget to join us at the Gardena Farmer's Market Saturday, April 23rd at 2800 W Rosecrans Ave. Gardena, CA (just down the road from Mychal's)...see you there! 
 
Howl at the Moon Café is available for hire for private catering or as a vendor at community events. We offer specialty coffee service and homemade baked goods. Keep Howl at the Moon Café in mind for your next office meeting or event!
  For online ordering options and information visit us at www.mychals.org.
Please contact blaisdell@mychals.org 
 with any questions about the program or hiring inquiries.
 
  


 
                          
        In The Spotlight 

        
            Traci Horowitz


Traci Horowitz learned of Mychal's Learning Place in 2012 while her networking group was looking to develop their philanthropic arm. "It was a small, local, non-profit organization with a great mission" - exactly what their group was looking to support.  It was this that led Traci to help spearhead the inaugural Friends of Mychal's Art Show in 2012, and join the Board of Directors in early 2013.   Currently, Traci is the Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors and can be found at most of the events at Mychal's.

One of the reasons that Traci was so drawn to Mychal's Learning Place was the first-hand knowledge of students and their families that Mychal's serves.  One of her best friends has a son with Down Syndrome, so she is passionate about seeing a more understanding, open and welcoming world filled with opportunities for those with not only Down Syndrome, but all disabilities.  

Traci sees this world opening up with programs such as Mychal's Howl At The Moon Café, which is bringing so many opportunities to the Mychal's students and has been welcomed with open arms by the South Bay community.  Traci says, "seeing an idea develop, watching the students take hold of that idea with so much heart and passion and making it so successful is a wonderful thing to be a part of."
 
 
 
Art at Mychal's

Mychal's after school students put their artistic ability to use as they learn new techniques and the elements of design taught by instructor Amy of Splatters, Painted Ideas by Amanda Lutz. L.A. Parent magazine's latest issue of Your Child with Special Needs, published "The Arts for All Abilities" on page 35 - 38, and Mychal's was featured as one of the local programs for adapted art. Click here to read.

     
  
Beautiful work everyone!


TechJam LA 2016
 
Last month our Special Olympics basketball team was one of 16 teams invited to attend TechJam 2016 at USC! They accepted a donation check in honor of the Special Olympics and played a small scrimmage with other teams. A very special thank you to Urban Sports LA!

 



Mychal's GEM Program
 
Become a Mychal's GEM TODAY! GEM stands for Giving Every Month. It's a simple way for you to support Mychal's Learning Place on a regular basis. Please review the attached form and let us know which level appeals to you. A monthly gift of any amount will make a big impact on the programs and activities of Mychal's students. We want YOU to be a part of that impact!

 
Please fill out the this form and send it
to us today!  

Mychal's GEM Program is sponsored by

LeVian Jewelers.

Le Vian

We would like to thank our current GEM members for their monthly gift in supporting Mychal's programs and activities.

 THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Musa A.
Erin F.
Larry & Almarietha M.
Jake R.
Karen & Mike A.
Patrick & Misty F.
Rebeca M.
Barrie S.
Steve & Cindy C.
Traci H.
Tom & Anne M.
Ellen S.
Gloria C.
Sharon J.
Ed M.
Linda S.

Edgar C.
Amy L.
Pat M.
Jen S.
Suzanne C.
Ed L.
John N.
Juanita T.
Andrew D.
Ruth M.
Liz & Steve O.
Peter Y.
Angela E.
Christie M.
Dora R.




Mychal's Door Hanging Scratchers & Kitty Perch
 
Our door hanging scratchers are now available for purchase at our Hawthorne location and in-store at Adopt & Shop in Culver City. Also, don't forget to visit our website at www.mychals.org and click the "SHOP" link to purchase your kitty perch today!

 
 
Your purchase supports helping some incredible young people take a productive role in their society by building self-esteem and independence, and encouraging job skills in a supportive environment.

 
Wine & Canvas Night
April 30th @ Mychal's Learning Place
Uncork your creativity while you relax, sip and paint. This fundraiser is in support of summer field trips for Mychal's after school students.



Partners' Happenings & Events
 
Informed Educational Partners (IEP) 
 

This group will informally address the questions and concerns that families have about their child's Special Education services and support and more.  All are welcome and you do not have to be a WRC client to attend.  Child care is available - families must RSVP by the day before the group.

Held on the on 1st Thursday of the month
 6:30pm-8:30pm
at 5901 Green Valley Circle, #320
Third Floor Boardroom
Culver City, CA 90230
Join the next meeting on April 7, 2016
RSVP to 310.258.4063 


Special Needs Network, Inc.
2-Day Conference, April 8 & 9 
Tools for Transformation X and Legislative Breakfast


This conference will focus on critical issues related to autism, developmental and learning disabilities, ADHD,  mental health, education and advocacy, and is a must-attend event for parents, advocates, and health care professionals.
   
Click here for more information and to register today! 
*Free childcare is available on Saturday ONLY.

   
Howl at the Moon Café Logo
Be sure to stop by the Mychal's  Howl at the Moon Café between 2pm - 8pm while you're at the Tools for Transformation Conference! 
  





Autism Society 2016 Summer Expo  
 

 

 
 
2016 WESTSIDE JAM
April 22nd, 4:00pm - 8:00pm 
 


An evening of self-advocacy and fun for individuals served by Westside Regional Center hosted by the WRC Client Advisory Council (CAC).




SW Selpa / CAC
Free Parent/Student Workshop Southwest SELPA logo
April 22 & 23
 


To RSVP or for more information please call 310-944-3217 x248. 
 
 

Sensory Friendly Films @ AMC 
 
Sensory Friendly Film program is now extending their program to four showings per month.
  • The second and fourth Tuesday and Saturday.
  • Family-friendly movies will continue to show Saturdays, starting at 10am local time
  • Tuesday showings have been added at 7pm local time
 
 
FOR MORE DETAILS & THEATRE LOCATIONS
Movies & dates are subject to change. 

 
CHECK OUT THESE GREAT VIDEOS!

Mychals Hawthorne Tour
Mychal's Hawthorne Tour
 
NBC at Mychal's! 
 

Mychal's 2016 New Year's Special

 
   
 
Click here to go to Mychal's
View our videos on YouTube
 
Like us on Facebook
Save the Date
 

April 7: Informed Educational Partners Meeting
April 12: HATM @the Torrance Farmer's Market  
April 13: ASLA Summer Expo at Mychal's
April 16: HATM @the Torrance Farmer's Market
April 22 & 23: SW Selpa Workshop
April 22: WRC Jam 
April 23: HATM @ the Gardena Farmer's Market
April 30: Wine & Canvas  @ Mychal's
May 22: Mychal's Annual Luncheon

June 3: EKPTO Prom
June 25: Move With Mychal's 
Support Mychal's while doing your regular grocery shopping!
 
Do you shop at AMAZON?  If so, try Amazon Smile and support Mychal's when you shop online!  Just click here to sign in (or sign up) and search for Mychal's Learning Place. Amazon Smile makes it so easy!

eScrip logo
If you're not already signed up with EScrip, please sign up now. EScrip has a program where you can register your grocery store cards (and credit cards, etc.) and a portion of your purchase price gets donated to your favorite non-profit:  Mychal's Learning Place! 
Go to www.escrip.com -- Mychal's Group ID is: 500044050.
After you sign up, just do your regular shopping  (HOWS, Super A Foods, Bristol Farms, ValuMart, etc. or eat our @ Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ, Hofs Hut and more!) you'll be supporting Mychals at the same time!  It doesn't get much easier than that!
 
Ralphs Community Contribution Program logo
If you're a Ralphs shopper, you can contribute to Mychal's every time your Rewards card is swiped!  If you don't already have a Ralphs card, please ask for one the next time you shop there. Once you have your card, just go to www.ralphs.com, click on the "Services" tab, then the "Community Contributions" tab (just follow the easy directions) and sign up with the program.  Use NPO (non profit org) #81548.
 
If you don't shop at the bigger supermarkets mentioned above, please inquire at the store you DO shop at and see if they have a program like this. You've got to get your groceries somewhere and this is such a SIMPLE way to contribute to Mychal's Learning Place!  THANK YOU!!
 

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Mychal's Learning Place
4901 West Rosecrans Ave. | Hawthorne, California 90250
office: 310.297.9333  |  fax: 310.297.9343

 


Mychal's Learning Place | 4901 West Rosecrans Ave. | Hawthorne | CA | 90250