The Foundation for Developmental Disabilities is a nonprofit founded in 1986 and follows the mission to provide support in San Diego and Imperial Counties for individuals with developmental disabilities (and their families), and to raise and distribute monies to promote creative and innovative programs that enhance quality of life when needed services are not available from entities such as government or private resources.
Through the generosity of community partners such as individuals, corporations, and businesses, the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities is able to provide: Funding for innovative community programs; Affordable housing development; Micro-enterprise job development and creation; Emergency assistance for persons with developmental disabilities; Scholarship opportunities for students entering the field of developmental disabilities; and Training opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families.
One of the Foundation’s largest investments came to fruition in February 2022. Our Board of Directors invested $300,000 in the development of Girasol Apartments, in El Centro, CA.
This 56-unit apartment serves low-income Imperial Valley residents who make 45 percent of the average median income. The Foundation’s investment facilitated the project, as well as ensured that 10 units were set aside for individuals living with developmental disabilities. Our Board of Directors were proud to invest in affordable housing in Imperial Valley!
Since July 1, 2021, the Foundation has also provided $159,000 in emergency assistance grants, facilitated through the Case Management department of the San Diego Regional Center. These grants range from $500-$1000 per client to help pay their rent, cover medical costs, and help improve the quality of life for people living with developmental disabilities in San Diego and Imperial Counties. In addition, we have awarded over $230,000 to fund innovative community programs in San Diego and Imperial Counties. We also care about the advancement of those who are planning a career, or presently working in the field of developmental disabilities and are attending colleges in San Diego and Imperial Counties. This year we have provided $46,800 in scholarships to sixteen exceptional students.
Everything the organization invests in and supports in the community is with the vision to help persons with developmental disabilities live full, productive, and satisfying lives as active members of their communities.
Our signature annual event is coming up on Thursday, September 1, 2022. Please save the date now!
The Foundation Day at the Races is our annual fundraiser to support the Emergency Help Fund and directly help people with developmental disabilities who are facing eviction or other emergencies. This will take place on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Gates will open at 12:00p.m. and Post time will occur at 2:00p.m.
Please subscribe to our Newsletter, follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), or check our Foundation Events page on our website for the latest event updates. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we hope to see you there.
For more information visit: https://www.foundationfordd.org/
Scatena Daniels Communications was founded in 2009 by Denise Scatena and Arika Daniels, who identified the need to provide strategic media outreach, marketing, and communications services to companies and organizations that actively support their communities and strive for real-world change.
Scatena Daniels Communications is an award-winning collaborative team of experienced public relations and marketing communications professionals dedicated to the success of our clients.
We bring a diverse range of backgrounds and industry experience to our clients. With more than 25 years in the industry, our Founding Partner Denise Scatena has the ear of some of the top media powerhouses and community influencers in San Diego County and beyond. She was named PR Professional of the Year by PRSA San Diego/Imperial Counties in 2020. For Founding Partner Arika Daniels, the best part of her job is working with talented people and organizations to make an impact every day. Arika has been awarded San Diego Business Journal’s prestigious “40 Under 40” award and San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s SDMover award, as well as multiple awards for her work from PRSA, IABC, and Health Care Communicators of Southern California, to name a few.
Ever the movers and shakers, Arika and Denise are highly involved in the community and members of many San Diego associations and groups dedicated to philanthropy and media. How We Work Our team’s passion and commitment are evident in our client relationships and in the ways, we ingrain ourselves in the communities we work to represent.
We bring subject-matter expertise, thought leadership, industry relationships, detailed process, integrity and grit, clear communication, and a successful track record. Scatena Daniels Communications is honored to work with some of the biggest brands in philanthropy and corporate citizenship, like United Way of San Diego County, Mama’s Kitchen, UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, Planned Parenthood and many more. We manage each client’s brand as if it were our own and will be excellent stewards of your investment.
The Scatena Daniels team of senior-level practitioners believes authenticity always wins and everyone deserves to be heard.
For more information, visit www.scatenadaniels.com
VetCTAP is San Diego County’s premier job search skills training organization for senior transitioning military, veterans, and spouses.
Our program improves the lives of those who complete our innovative workshop series (24 hours of interactive training). Participants become more confident, successfully navigate the civilian marketplace, connect with hiring managers via VetCTAP’s network, obtain their career goals, and can then provide for their families. We maintain an 80% employment success rate.
VetCTAP’s program meets the employment needs of active military, veterans, and spouses/partners in three ways.
First, VetCTAP serves the employment needs of a very diverse population.
Second, our program meets the unique needs of our workshop attendees. Participants have a strong military perspective (10+ years in the military) but lack the skills to navigate the civilian job market successfully and compete with “job search savvy” civilians.
Third, we meet the needs of participants by strengthening their self-confidence, helping them cope with stress and self-doubt due to their skills gap.
Participants complete pre- and post-assessments. The results were astounding. Here are a few of our findings from 2020.
- Pre-program survey: only 35% of participants understood the civilian/corporate hiring process while post-program results indicated 100% of participants.
- Pre-program survey: only 28% of participants felt certain their resume reflected their marketable skills and would be noticed by an employer vs. 100% post-program surveys.
- Pre-program survey: only 46% of participants felt confident in their ability to find a new rewarding and enjoyable career of their choice vs. post-program results indicated 100% of participants
- Pre-program survey: only 10% of participants felt they could negotiate their salary confidently vs. 100% post-program survey results.
Hear from one of our Navy retirees, Steve McClelland, when he first completed the course.
“Prior to VetCTAP, I had all the initiative and good intentions in the world as I launched what I thought were good resumes at a feverish pace toward job postings. To my dismay, the resumes seemed to go into ‘black holes’ sponsored by corporations and void of feedback. I was beginning to question if my military skills actually were transferable to “corporate America”. The dedicated corps of volunteer human resource personnel did an excellent job of providing an exploded view that detailed the intricacy and relationship of each step or tool necessary to be successful in obtaining a job. I firmly believe that if I had taken this course six months ago, I would already be working in a job oriented toward my long-term career goals.”
Steve is now the Communications Manager at Kaiser Permanente, San Diego.
To find out more: vetctap.org
To support our golf fundraiser: vetctapgolf.org
To listen to our graduates: vetctap.org/testimonials.html