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.

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!

Play Your Way

Via Services will be at the Play Your Way event at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose on Saturday, January 26th from 5:30pm-8:00pm.

This event is for families with children ages 2-15 with autism. The cost is $20.00 per family. There will be special exhibits and a resource fair. The event is invitation only, so click here to RSVP and purchase a ticket, and don't forget to stop by the Via booth and

Important Announcement!

Via Services has scheduled maintenance on the email server during the period of December 22 to January 1. _______@viaservices.org email addresses will not be able to send or receive any email.

The Via Services office will also be closed during this time for the holiday break. If you need to get in touch with someone during these dates, please call 408-243-7861 and press 0 to leave a voicemail in the general mailbox. If you would like to purchase Early Bird tickets for the Via Ball during these dates, please call 408-243-7861 and press 239 to leave a voicemail for Beth Campanella or send an email to viaball18@gmail.com.

Thank you for your understanding and patience and from everyone at Via Services, we hope that you have a very happy holiday!

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.

Jingle Bell Rock Recap

The holiday season continued at Via West this past weekend with our adult participants and their Jingle Bell Rock! We kicked off the weekend with our opening campfire on Friday night, and then we spent Saturday morning hiking to gather pine cones for our holiday centerpieces, making menorahs, and using iPad apps to learn about the various December holidays.

Some local firefighters then stopped by to drop off our Christmas tree and to let us explore and pose for pictures with the fire truck.

We spent the rest of Saturday afternoon caroling, decorating cookies, making wreaths, making ornaments and dreidels, and decorating the tree. We also learned about the importance of giving back to the community by decorating and stuffing stockings to donate to Next Door's domestic violence shelter.

We finished up the weekend with an elegant holiday banquet, Jingle Bell Rock dance, and a meet and greet with Santa where everyone was able to receive their holiday presents!

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

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