All American Extravaganza Recap

Via West kicked off the summer the patriotic way with our All American Extravaganza! We learned and sang some good old fashioned patriotic songs like America the Beautiful and This Land is Your Land.

We made Native American headdresses, catch-it cones, and American flags. We also had a visit from local firefighters and participated in our nation's pastime: baseball!

After a rousing tailgate BBQ at Kelley Park, we watched the San Jose Giants baseball team take out the Lancaster Jethawks with a 7 to 0 win!

We also rode horses, re-enacted the signing of the Constitution, learned with iPads, and enjoyed the talent show.

To see more pictures from this week, please visit our Facebook page.

Are You Ready for Overnights?

The NDSC newsletter this month has a great article about whether this is the year to try out an overnight program for your special needs child (link below). Keep reading to see what Sandy Keefe, our Associate Director and Health Care Manager, had to say about the first time that she sent her daughter to an overnight program:

"Twelve summers ago, I drove to Via West Campus (then Camp Costanoan) to drop off my daughter Allie, who has Down syndrome. She was 9 years old at the time, and so excited about the swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, dances and talent shows she could share with her friends with developmental and physical disabilities.

Today, Allie and I live at Via West--I work as the associate director and health care manager, and Allie is a junior program staff member. We continue to enjoy typical outdoor recreational activities with friends, but she is even more thrilled with the value-added programs provided at the campus now. She loves the culinary arts and nutrition sessions, has gained valuable information from our iPad and fitness sessions, continues to improve her social skills and leadership, and thrives on the life skills, community integration and vocational lessons.

Despite serious cardiac issues, a seizure disorder and significant gastrointestinal problems, Allie is able to enjoy all of the programs on campus, plus field trips to exciting destinations such as Santa Cruz Boardwalk and San Francisco Zoo, because of the strong nursing care provided by Via West Campus.

Like any other special needs parent, I struggled with the decision to send my daughter off "on her own" for a summer program. If you are looking for a summer program for your child (5-22 years old) or adult (18 years on up) with Down syndrome, please consider the recommendations shared by the National Down Syndrome Congress to guide your decision. And please feel free to contact me directly (skeefe@viaservices.org or 408-867-1115, ext. 106) to talk about how your son or daughter would fit into our program."

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=jjpyswbab&v=001Udjluc4seekxsFVGSa5cOHmpMKf4ZN4SQL0VqmRTVLnWhJiW2Kht7EtVrP4vpQ_zFafKMxF4yIjRE9LfWDNB3nFdp8oNA5-UWRTFqj_F92rEeMp0jh69T5WD5e2_O6NnodYxlM8FgWQIkiTYmQuuPQ%3D%3D

Bid now on beautiful quilt to support Via Services!

This stunning Quilt by artist Felicia Horowitz is a reproduction of the Woman with The Hat by Matisse. It took over 3 years to delicately fuse together over 2,000 small squares and strips of fabric.

Felicia Horowitz has graciously donated it for auction at the 18th Annual Via Ball. In creating this labor of love, Felicia hopes to bring awareness and to create opportunities for children with disabilities to be an integral part of the fabric of our society. Whoever acquires this art gem will ensure that the fabric of their own future will be graced with visual pleasure forever. The Quilt is 52x38."

Click here to see how you can pre-bid on this item before the February 8th Via Ball.

On behalf of the Via Services Board of Directors, staff and the families we serve, please accept our sincerest thank you for your support!

Via West Gives Back

Michelle Barr of Next Door, a San Jose organization promoting safety for women and children since 1971, accepts 150 gift stockings from Via West junior program staff member Allie Keefe. The stockings were decorated and stuffed with donations of hygiene items and candy collected by the children who attended the November 30-December 2 “All I Want for Christmas is a Snow Weekend at Via West” and adults who enjoyed the December 14-16 "Jingle Bell Rock" weekend at Via West. Michelle and her colleagues plan to place the stockings under their agency’s tree so families can take what they need for the holidays. She expressed appreciation for the kindness of our participants and their families.

Upcoming Holiday Events

Below are some great events for you to participate in this holiday season:

College of Adaptive Arts Winter Choir Concert

December 8th from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 81 North Second Street, San Jose, CA 95113

Angels on Stage "Be Our Guest" Pancake Breakfast

December 9th from 8:00am-10:00am at Applebee's Restaurant, 555 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, CA 95129

Holiday Dinner and Dance
December 14th from 5:00pm-9:00pm at Grace Community Center, 484 San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95112

Special Needs Winter Ball
December 14th from 6:00pm-9:00pm at Church on the Hill, 500 Sands Drive, San Jose, CA 95125

College of Adaptive Arts Christmas in the Park Performance
December 17th from 8:00pm-9:00pm at Plaza de Cesar Chavez 101 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95112

Toys for Children with Special Needs

The Friendship Circle Blog put together a list a while back of 10 online toy stores that sell toys that are specifically aimed at children with special needs. Check it out:

2011/01/31 By Tzvi

If your child has special needs it may not be so simple to purchase an appropriate toy. You generally can’t walk into a Walmart, Target, Toys ‘R’ Us or your local dollar store and pick out the item your child wants or needs. Thankfully we live in 2011 (what did people do 20 years ago? ) and we can hop online and start browsing the web for appropriate toys.

To get you started here are some stores that sell toys geared towards children with special needs.

1. Ability Station

http://abilitystation.com
Ability station provides special toys for  many different special needs and skillsets. All toys are therapist approved for a child’s growth, development and fun.

2. Amazon

http://amazon.comAmazon sells anything and everything you could possibly think of (ex: Sigmund Freud action figure or UFO Detector). Tucked away in a corner of Amazon are 464 special needs multi sensory toys.

3. Different Roads to Learning

http://difflearn.com
Founded in 1995 by the mother of a child diagnosed with Autism, Different Roads to Learning carries over 500 products carefully selected to support the Autism Community. You’ll find everything from basic flashcards, books and timers to advanced social skills tools to support you at every step.

4. eSpecial Needs

http://especialneeds.comFrom oversized building blocks and bungee jumpers to snapwall playsets and sand and water activity tables, eSpecial Needs offers a variety of appealing active play toys for children with special needs, including autism.

5. Fun and Function

http://funandfunction.comFun and Function designs sensory toys and therapy equipment for individuals with special needs to help children learn adaptive responses for what they may lack or crave.  Looking for a gift for a child with special needs? Fun and Function has some recommendations.

6. Gummy Lump

http://gummylump.comGummy Lump offers toys that make sweet memories:  play food, wooden toys, pretend play & educational toys for toddlers & preschoolers! Featuring Melissa & Doug and other award winning toys.

7. Lakeshore Learning

http://lakeshorelearning.comLakeshore is dedicated to creating innovative educational materials that spark young imaginations, instill a sense of wonder and foster a lifelong love of learning. Although not specifically targeted towards children with special needs, a number of their products can be very useful for children with special needs.

8. Playability Toys

http://www.playabilitytoys.comPlayAbility Toys designs and develops toys for children with special needs. Toys are geared towards children on the Autism Spectrum, individuals who are blind & visually Impaired, cognitive challenges, hearing impaired, physical challenges, speech delay and more.

9. Special Needs Toys

http://specialneedstoys.com
Special Needs Toys offers a wide range of special needs toys, from mobile Multi-Sensory, to Swings, Trampolines and otherSensory Integration kits, Switches, rewards and small Sensory toys.

10. Toys  ’R’ Us

http://toysrus.comToys ‘R’ Us has a complete  ”Differently-Abled” Kids section. Categories include: Auditory, Creativity, Fine Motor, Gross Motor, Language, Self-Esteem, Social Skills, Tactile, Thinking and Visual

Charlotte's Life

Check out this video presentation by former participant and current JR Counselor for Via West, Charlie Colby:

Last Days of Summer Recap

We just kicked off the 2012-2013 weekend season with The Last Days of Summer! We had a blast celebrating the last of the warm weather. We learned how to make seed balls to plant in the ground and we made suncatchers and pinwheels as well. We rooted through the Via West garden and dug up some delicious vegetables that we then cooked for our summer bbq extravaganza!

We splashed around in the pool, learned on iPads, showcased our talent at the talent show, and had a fun-filled dance under the stars. 

We had an epic showdown of men versus women in the Via West baseball game. While the men made an amazing comeback, the defensive skills of the women allowed them to prevail!

To see more photos from this weekend, please visit our Facebook page. To register for a private pay weekend program, please click here.

Upcoming Events

Check out some of the great events that Via Services will be participating in during the next few months:

September 13: BAP Special Needs Community Mixer

September 22: Morgan Autism Center 11th Annual Conference

September 28-30: Palto Alto Gran Fondo

September 29: Special Needs Resource Event at Horton Youth Center

October 12: Disability Awareness Day

October 20: Down Syndrome Network 8th Annual Buddy Walk

October 28: Bay Area Autism and AD/HD Conference

November 18-20: Abilities Expo

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Kam at 408-243-7861, ext. 218.

Let's Explore the Seven Seas Recap

Ahoy Mateys! Via West set sail last week to explore the seven seas, and explore we did! We made sea creatures, jello fish bowls, 3D aquariums, Japanese fish mobiles, and a super scrumptious "under the sea" cake.

We went on a treasure hunt, danced with Ariel at our "Little Mermaid" dance, and we had a blast eating popcorn and playing games at the "Poseidon" carnival on the sports court.

We spent a day fishing at Lake Elizabeth, and we got up close and personal with some sea creatures at the Santa Cruz Seymour Center. We had a water cannon fight outside in the sun, and we bubbled to the surface for the talent show.

To see more pictures from this session, please visit our Facebook page.

Cruise Away Recap

Via West treated participants this session to a fantastic and fun-filled "cruise" complete with games, a casino night, luau, and, of course, a lot of time spent lounging in the pool. Participants took an exciting field trip to the Kaiser Famer's Market to buy lots of lush produce which was later used to make delicious smoothies.

  

On Friday, 17 more participants came on board for the weekend. They joined in on Polynesian Bingo, a camp out under the stars, a disco, and everyone's favorite: the talent show.

We took a second field trip to Golfland USA where everyone was able to try for a hole in one. The rest of the day was spent trying to earn as many tickets as possible in the arcade!

For more picures, please visit our Facebook Page!

Via West Summer Officially Under Way

Nurse interns arrived at Via West Campus eager to begin training on May 29^th.  Nursing students will complete an eleven week community health nursing curriculum at Via West this summer. Adding an extra layer of care for participants with medical issues, the internship also increases the pool of nurses who are comfortable and competent meeting the special needs of children, teens, and adults with developmental and physical disabilities.

 Nurse Interns

75 other counselors, volunteers, unit directors, program staff, and health care staff arrived on May 31^st for general staff training. Led primarily by Director Leslie Davis and Associate Director and Health Care Manager Sandy Keefe, the training will lasted four days and encompassed everything from behavior management to special diets and independent living skills. There was a parent panel where the staff had the opportunity to meet with current Via West participants and their parents and learn firsthand the type of expectations our families have when they come to our programs.

All Staff

The first Via West session begins today, June 4^th, and the excitement of the staff is high. “Our staff is amazing – so flexible – so loving – but above all really smart,” says Via West Director Leslie Davis. “We are very lucky!”

Ready for College?

Are you thinking about college? Below are a few resources that have been put together by the National Down Syndrome Congress to help you learn what your options are.

College options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

 http://www.thinkcollege.net/

Information about standardized testing for college:

 http://www.fairtest.org/

A few sources for college loans for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/CTPProgramList.jsp

http://www.rubysrainbow.org/index.html

http://www.ndss.org/Self-Advocates/ONeill-Tabani-Enrichment-Fund/

We're In This Together!

On April 27, Via staff members attended the San Andrea Regional Center legislative breakfast along with other service providers, SARC staffers, individuals with disabilities, caregivers and parents. The audience joined SARC executive director Santi Rogers in a pledge to increase our advocacy for people with developmental disorders with lawmakers. Assemblymembers Paul Fong and Richard Gordon spoke briefly at the meeting and acknowledged the importance of restoring full funding to service providers by rolling back the previous budget cuts.

Welcome Back Nurses!

The summer of 2012 marks the fourth year of the Via West Summer Nurse Internship Program that began with a generous grant from The Valley Foundation. Over the course of 11 weeks, ten nursing students and new graduate nurses from San Jose State and San Diego State will complete a community health nursing curriculum focused on the specific needs of children, teens and adults with developmental and physical disabilities. In addition to providing an extra layer of care for participants with medical issues, the internship serves as a mechanism to increase the pool of nurses who are comfortable and competent meeting the special needs of our population.

Click! Click! Click!

Via Services is looking for a volunteer photographer to take photos during our summer programs for children and adults with special needs at our Via West Campus in Cupertino. This is a part time position requiring a commitment of 20 hours per week. The schedule may vary throughout the summer.  Please note that this internship/volunteer opportunity may be “job shared" – and each person can take half of the commitment.  If you are interested volunteering for this position, please contact Leslie Davis at ldavis@viaservices.org.

World Down Syndrome Day

From our friends at DSRTF:

In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, plus15 wants you to help show how an increase in cognition could make a difference in the life of your child with Down syndrome. To add your pin to their world map, email your first name, city/state, and a short description of what a 15% increase in cognition would mean for your child with Down syndrome. You can also share your information on facebook.

Find out more here!

Via West Expands Age Range for Lights, Camera, Action! Weekend

Due to the large number of interested people of all ages, we have decided to expand our age range for our exciting Lights, Camera, Action! weekend on April 20-22.  

Via West Campus is partnering with Angels on Stage to provide our young adults with an outstanding performing arts experience. You’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in backstage work as you build sets, create costumes and practice singing and dancing. On Sunday morning, you’ll dazzle friends and family members with a musical extravaganza that we’ll capture on film. You’ll take home a printed program and certificate of completion, and receive your DVD in the mail.

Don't miss out on this fun filled weekend!! Call Molly at 408-243-7861 to register.  Private pay spots are still available.  To see the entire respite brochure, click here!

 

 

Via West Gives Back this Holiday Season!

During the glorious Winter Wonderland weekend at Via West on December 2-4, our 64 participants created wellness bags for women and children affected by domestic violence. Rather than stuffing stockings full of goodies for themselves, our teens and adults selected products to promote health, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant and lip balm. An outgrowth of the Health Self Management Across the Lifespan program funded by The Valley Foundation, this activity provided a very real sense of accomplishment and sharing during the holiday season.

Allie Keefe and her mom Sandy, Via West’s associate director, delivered the bags to Next Door, a non-profit agency that provides safety for battered women and their children through emergency shelter; multiple points of entry for victims; individuals, system and institutional advocacy; crisis intervention; education for victims and the community; and the changing of community norms through prevention activities. Staff members appreciated the thoughtful nature of the gifts, and snapped this photo of Allie.

 Happy Holidays to everyone from the Via West Campus and Via Services!!

Via West Enjoyed a Private Booth at Sharks Game!

Last Tuesday, December 6th, 7 Via West participants and a parent were invited to attend the Sharks vs. Minesota game in a PRIVATE SUITE!!  This event was made possible on behalf of Sharks forward Martin Havlat #9, and the Sharks Foundation. 

Our Via West participants who came were Steve Erickson and his dad Chip, Connor Dalzell and his mom Deidre, Galina Griffy and her dad David, Sander Roat-Shumway and his dad Dale, Julie Paulson and Charlie Colby (Counselors In Training) and Allie Keefe with her mom Sandy. The suite was lovely, with complimentary popcorn, honey-roasted peanuts and potato chips with dip. The group could see out across the entire arena either from comfortable sofas or chairs on the balcony. The Sharks lost 2-1 to top-ranked Minnesota Wild, so the action was cut-throat and we were all glued to the edges of our seats. Sharkie, the Sharks’ mascot, circled the ice several times, to cheers from the group.

At one point, the cameras and announcers panned to the Via West suite, identifying us as “Havlat’s Heroes” after Marty Havlat, the player who donated the suite. All the participants wrote him a lot of thank you notes on Via Services stationery, and the concierge promised to place them in a notebook for Marty to review at the end of the season.

For many of the Via West participants, it was their first Sharks game ever, and they appreciated the new experience. The group stayed engaged for the entire game, and talked all the way back to the main Via office about the novelty and excitement.

Thank you Martin Havlat and the Sharks Foundation for this wonderful experience!!