New Orleans Square Recap

Bonjour from the French Quarter! Via West just wrapped up an exciting Mardi Gras themed week with New Orleans Square. We made and ate scrumptious King cake, beignets, and red beans & rice.

We learned all of the different Mardi Gras traditions, took some jazz lessons, and we made some amazing beaded masks for our Mardi Gras festival and dance, as well as shoe box floats to bring home.

We took a field trip to the Poor House Bistro, learned with iPads, enjoyed the talent show, and spent some time relaxing by the Via West pool.

 

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

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.

Wild Science Weekend Recap

Via West kicked off the new year last weekend with our Wild Science Weekend. We spent time in our laboratory concocting all sorts of wild and crazy experiments, including learning how to use salt to make ice cream in a plastic bag!

We took a field trip to the San Jose Tech Museum where we played and learned about lights, rockets, earthquakes, and more.

Once back on campus, we held our own science fair where did more experiments and made fun take home projects, like lava lamps and crystal pictures. The weekend would not have been complete without the dance and talent show. We also went on a scavenger hunt, learned some cool science iPad apps, and fired off some baking soda bottle rockets.

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

Via West Gives Back

During the holiday weekends this year, child and adult participants at Via West will be stuffing stockings to donate to the Women and Children's Shelter in San Jose. If you would like to help our participants to help out the community, we are in need of the following items:

Toiletries - Travel size items:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soaps
Body Wash
Hand Lotion
Shower Caps
Hand Sanitizer

Deodorant/Antiperspirant
Kleenex
Wipes
Sewing Kits
Band Aids

Other Items:
Socks
Gloves
Mittens
Hair clips/bands
Wrapped cookies
Wrapped candies

We appreciate your help! Donated items can be brought to the Via Services main office at 2851 Park Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050. We will need these items before November 30th for the children's weekend and before December 14th for the adult's weekend. If your child is attending one of these sessions, then please feel free to bring any items to check in!

Creative You Recap

Summer 2012 at Via West is officially in the books! We just wrapped up our final session of the summer - Creative You. It was a jam packed weekend filled with maracas, yogurt pops, and cookies. We made bookmarks and flower vases and we played a rousing game of Jeopardy.

We twisted and conga lined at Friday night's dance, and we spent a little time lounging in the pool.

The highlight of the weekend was the talent show which was full of some top notch acts.

Thank you so much for sharing your summer with us, and we will miss you all....until we see you again in the fall for weekend programs, that is!!!

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

CSI Week (Kids) Recap

Something fishy is going on at Via West! Mr. Fluffy McFluff Fluff has met his untimely demise, and our CSI detectives must now track down the culprit!

Participants had a fantastic time last week working the Via West crime scene investigation, outlining bodies, and playing a live clue game. We made high protein smoothies to energize us for the manhunt through campus, rode horses, and took a much needed break to relax by the pool.

We took two amazing field trips to the Sheriff's Department and the Fire Station.

We danced one of the nights away and everyone showcased their abilities at an incredible talent show.

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

Medieval Madness Recap

Hear ye, hear ye fair knights and ladies of Via West! Medieval Madness week is sadly over, but such fun was had by all! Participants ate giant turkey legs by the fire and jousted and decorated the maypole during an unforgettable Renaissance Fair.

Everyone learned how to embroider, make candles, and ride a horse just like in the olden days. After learning our own Shakespeare play for a performance, we took a field trip to picnic and watch others tackle the Bard's work at the Shakespeare Festival.

For more pictures, please visit our Facebook page.



Career Week Recap

Career Week is officially in the books, and what a spectacular session it was! Participants worked with cameras, helped out in the kitchen with Deli Dave, competed in a friendly Jeopardy game, and learned all about money.

Volunteers from World We Dream came and aided Via West staff with helping participants practice job interviews. Everyone had a ball at the dance and quite a few people brought down the house at the talent show!

 

Groups took turns attending a field trip to the Intel Museum where they learned all sorts of interesting facts about technology.

From Intel, it was on to Mariani's restaurant where participants were treated to a luxurious buffet lunch. It was a wonderful time spent enjoying delicious food and time with friends.

For more pictures, please visit us on Facebook.

Cheer and Sports Recap

Via West just held its first children's weekend of the summer, and participants had a blast! After checking in on Friday morning, participants split up to learn cheer routines and to practice shooting hoops for the big tournament on Sunday. Everyone worked super hard and was then treated to a movie night on campus to relax and hang out with friends.

On Saturday, we practiced, practiced, practiced, and we ended the day by tearing it up on the dance floor with the "Athlete's Ball." Sunday was the culmination of everyone's hard work with the Cheer & Sports Tournament. The cheerleaders performed 3 flawless routines and were given pom poms to take home. 15 teams played 3 on 3 basketball games and were given souvenir basketballs. Everyone was awarded a ribbon and went home tired but happy!

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!

CSI Week Recap

Via West kicked off the summer with CSI week from June 4-10th. After a rain filled check in day, the skies cleared and our participants had a blast soaking up some sun and lounging by the pool. Last week was not all rest and relaxation, however. Our participants were put to work learning all of the finer points of crime solving! We took fantastic field trips to the Monte Vista fire station and the West Valley Sheriff's Department, where local firefighters and police officers allowed participants to sit in and on the fire engines and police cars!



The energy soared throughout the week as each group rotated to different activities particular to the day. Two of the biggest highlights were the "Good Guys and Bad Guys" dance on the sports court and the Live Clue game where participants and staff traipsed through the 13 acre Via West Campus searching for clues and solving crimes.



On Friday, we were joined by 9 participants eager to join in on the weekend fun of CSI week. We learned how to make protein rich smoothies, how to outline bodies with chalk, and how to cast footprints like the professionals. Saturday night was the all important talent show where everyone was able to get up and show off their singing and dancing skills.

Sessions 1 and 2 are in the books and now it is time to Cruise Away with Sessions 3 and 4!

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!”

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.

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!!

New Director and Associate Director at Via West Campus!!

Via Services is thrilled to announce that our very own Sandy Keefe has become Via Services' Associate Director as well as the Health Care Manager at Via West Campus!!   Sandy Keefe has been with Via Services for 10 years and has her Masters Degree in Rehabilitative Nursing.  Sandy also has a daughter who attends Via West Campus.  Sandy is a familiar face to all Via West parents, as she has been the Health Care Manager at Via West and actively involved in the care of all participants. She has already been instrumental in developing the programs for weekend respites, and has taken over staffing responsibilities (among other duties).  We are so happy that Sandy has taken on these responsibilities, and we look forward to a wonderful respite season.

Sandy Keefe, MSN, RN  Associate Director and Health Care Manager at Via West

Our new Director is Leslie Davis.  Leslie is originally from the San Jose area and has resided here her entire life.  She loves the area – the people, the weather, the spirit, etc.  Her undergraduate degree is from Santa Clara University in Spanish and History in the teacher waiver program.  She started her career in teaching – ESL, Spanish, and SPED.  She moved into counseling in the public and private sector doing job development for persons with disabilities.  Having worked with both adults and children with disabilities, she then returned to school to gain her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitative Counseling and Special Education from San Jose State University.   She opened her own practice following that and provided transition, social security disability, and workers compensation to adults with disabilities.  Feeling the need to get back to the young ones, she returned to the public sector and worked as a Special Education Manager for a growing group of charter schools.  These schools served minority children in grades K through 5.  She is quite happy with the fact that she was able to establish an inclusive program serving all children of all of needs in this highly academic charter school setting.  In all of her positions, she specialized in bringing social/life skills to all clients.  She is thrilled to now be with Via Services as her beliefs completely mirror the mission of the organization.  Leslie believes in lifelong learning for EVERYONE and feels that this position will allow her to serve both adults and children in the most beautiful setting.  She is a hands on manager and is very excited to lead Via West in its’ next phase.

Leslie Davis, Director of the Via West Campus

End of the Summer!!!! Recoup, refresh, and review

Wow! those 10 weeks really flew by didn't they?  To all of the counselors, staff, and volunteers that worked up at Via West this summer... THANK YOU from everyone at Via Services.  Your dedication and hard work makes Via West Campus the great place that it is.  We wish everyone safe travels back home, and hope that you will keep Via close to your heart.  Don't forget to check out our Facebook page for pictures from this summer.  Here are a few of our favorites!!

We hope to see everyone next summer for another amazing time at Via West Campus!!