Candice Rogers, Villa Esperanza Services Chairman of the Board, welcomed guests for the Grand Opening of Villa’s new Dimensions Adult Day Program building. Over 100 donors, family members, clients, and neighbors and dignitaries joined in celebration of this momentous occasion.
“It is through the hard work of many that we stand here today,” shared Rogers. “Thank you to our Board of Directors; we are proud to have 100% participation in this campaign. Thank you to the many donors who have generously given to make our campaign so successful. It is you who has gotten us here today!”
The building is the first permanent home for Villa’s Dimensions Adult Day Program. For years Villa rented a space for the Dimensions program which became less than ideal for the population they are serving. When the decision was made to move forth with a capital campaign it was decided it would be a good time to include purchasing and renovating a new building creating a perfect environment for Villa’s adults. The building, located on Walnut Street in East Pasadena, offers smaller breakout rooms, educational space with Smart Boards and increased technology capabilities, a large community room for exercise and dancing, and a full sized kitchen.
“Today we are celebrating our first major milestone in our $9 million, phase I, Hope Moves Forward Capital Campaign – a permanent home for our Dimension Program,” explained Jim McDermott, Villa Board Member and Co-Chair of Villa’s Campaign. “We owe our campaign launch to two foundations and their extraordinary gifts – The Ayrshire Foundation who committed the very first $1M gift to our campaign and the Wells Fargo Foundation, who also awarded $1M to the campaign. A big thank you to them both; they knew where Villa was headed and invested in our future.” A huge debt of gratitude was also extended to the Ahmanson Foundation. It was with their strong support that the Dimensions building was able to be purchased.
Pasadena City Council Member Margart McAustin, along with representatives from California State Senator Carol Liu, California Assembly Majority Floor Leader Chris Holden, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Michael D. Antonovich, City of Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornak and Pasadena Councilmember Gene Masuda’s offices were all present to award proclamations in honor of the occasion. In addition, a formal ribbon cutting ceremony was orchestrated by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.
“The clients, staff and our families are all very excited to be in this new space,” shared Kelly White, Villa’s CEO. “When Villa started in 1961 the founders wanted to create a place for families to grow and learn together; a place where those with challenges would be accepted; and a place that would be the voice for them when others were not.” White goes on to say, “Villa is here from the beginning providing support and tools, helping individuals to become independent; providing guidance for young girls and boys as they transition to adulthood; offering day programs that expand their skills; helping them to find work; supporting them in a group home or in their own apartment; also helping them to retire and still stay active; all this with the continued love and support of Villa Esperanza Services.”
Villa extends their appreciation to the Pasadena Rotary and Larry Pastre for donating their time and talents to beautifying the new campus before the Grand Opening.
Villa Esperanza Services, established in 1961, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the care and education of children, adults and seniors with developmental, intellectual and other disabilities. Villa offers nine programs including a school for children up to the age of 22 years; a Speech and Language Center and Occupational Therapy Clinic providing children, adults and seniors with comprehensive therapies; employment services; day programs for adults; and adult residences in Pasadena and Thousand Oaks. To learn more about Villa’s collaborative approach, log on to www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org.
