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Via Ball Raises $125,000 for First Step and Via West Programs
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300 Community Leaders Attend This Year's Event and Celebrate a Decade We will Never Forget!
Ball-goers were treated to a nostalgic trip back to the 1960s, a decade of major change for society and significant advances for the rights of those with disabilities. The Feb. 24 event included an Occupy Via West "protest", live and still mannequins showcasing 1960s fashions and posters of stars from great movies of the decade. Many guests dressed in attire from the 1960's and then danced to some of their favorite music by the Joe Sharino Band. Julie Paulson, a former Via West participant who is now a staff member, gave a moving speech about how much Via West has meant to her. Thank you to our sponsors, ticket purchasers, donors and everyone who made the evening a terrific success.
 | | "Occupy Via West" Protesters |
For more pictures of the event, please visit our Facebook page.
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Via Chooses New First Step Director and SARC Intake Lead
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Dena Middlebrooks and Elise Neudeck Accept New leadership Roles
Dena, who becomes Via's new First Step Early Intervention Program director, served as the interim director last summer. She holds a Master's Degree in Communicative Disorders from Northern Arizona University and has been with the First Step program for nearly six years. Her experience includes individual and group therapy for children who have a variety of speech and language impairments.
Elise, who has been an integral part of the intake assessment team at Via for eight months, brings great leadership skills to her new role of SARC Intake Lead. She holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Santa Clara University and has previous experience as an Education Specialist for the Moreland School District, where she worked one-on-one with children to help promote development in language, motor skills, cognition, social/emotional, and self-help skills.
 
Dena Middlebrooks Elise Neudeck
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Via West Holds Special Workshops For New and Existing Clients
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More Than 100 Hear About Upcoming Progamming Changes
Via West Campus held three workshops for Via West participants and their families recently. Danielle Samson, a speech pathologist, told the visitors about the expanding educational uses of the iPad. Workshop participants also learned about how to plan for the changes that occur as special-needs children become adults and transition from school to career. Via West Director Leslie Davis outlined the many new programs and improvements that have been made at the campus since last summer.
 | | Families Learning about the iPad |
If you missed out on this wonderful day, remember that you can always schedule a tour and assessment! Please contact Sandy Keefe at 408-867-1115 or skeefe@viaservices.org.
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