A TRUE “JOY RIDE”

Prior to finding Lifehouse, Roger had challenges with his living situation, often having no place to live. Through support from childhood friends Russell & Sarah Ponsford and the North Bay Regional Center, Roger found his way to Lifehouse. With help from his support team at Lifehouse, Roger was able to secure and move into his own apartment in Santa Rosa.

In the midst of the pandemic, Roger was isolated with no transportation and had difficulty managing everyday tasks. A bicycle was donated to Lifehouse and Roger was the perfect recipient.

Now, with the help of Lifehouse staff, his friends, and his new bike, Roger is more successful and more independent than ever. He loves to hop on his bike to buy groceries, go to the bank, meet people for lunch, and all of the other things his new transportation has afforded him. Roger’s future is brighter than ever, and it shows on his almost always smiling face.

Thank you to Casey & John Leones for donating the Raleigh Upright Hand Cycle to Lifehouse!

Find this story, community updates, and more information about Lifehouse in our Annual Report. You can sign up to receive our mailings by emailing our Office Manager Erin Loftus, mail@lifehouseagency.org.

It's a Suite Life

This year marks the 25th year that Lifehouse will be hosting our annual Awards Banquet at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael. As we celebrate yet another year of our incredible community members, Embassy Suites has a celebration of their own coming in 2020— the completion of a full hotel renovation.

This exciting relaunch of the hotel aims to bring an artsy, cool, and intellectual west coast vibe to life. It will boast thoughtful, clean and modern design elements throughout, including an enhanced pool, fire pits, a culinary garden, and an exciting new food and beverage program lead by Chef Brian Whitmer.

Stay: 101 McInnis Pkwy, San Rafael, CA 94903. Rates range from $200-$329 and includes complimentary hot breakfast and 2 hour managers happy hour.

Gather: There will be 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including, two new outdoor options and flexible floor plan choices, all equipped with new Audio Visual and Wi-Fi. Seasonal food and beverage tastings will also be made available to create a high-end experience for any event.

Catering and Conference Services, including Lifehouse’s Awards Banquet, is lead by Heather Liencres. Heather brings expertise in both non-profit values and high-end hospitality. She has provided guidance and flexibility to plan for the Awards Banquet, continuing this legendary San Rafael partnership.

Eat & Drink: Chef Whitmer’s vision for the new food and beverage program is a beautiful blend of his expertise in creating first class culinary experiences by bringing together communities and sustainable food practices. “Named after the trees native to the area, the Red Oak Pacific Rotisserie & Bar will include a locally sourced menu complimented by our very own culinary garden, Red Oak honey bees, and handcrafted beverages for any age,” says Chef Whitmer. The innovative new menu will also be available in the Private Dining Room, Outdoor Terrace or the Red Oak Farm - Culinary Garden event space.

In the spirit of practicing sustainability, the culinary garden will support a fresh produce stand each Sunday across the foot bridge at the Marin County Farmers market. Donations of produce will also be made to the Marin Food Bank.

Through this highly anticipated transformation, Embassy Suites aims to be on the cutting edge to bring our community together. It will be the perfect place to host family from out of town, commune friends after work, or hold your next big event.

Congratulations to Embassy Suites on a wonderful new chapter!

Looking for the perfect space to host your next event?

Email Heather Liencres, Director of Catering & Conference Services

Let’s Celebrate

Each year at our Annual Awards Banquet we celebrate the dedicated staff and community members that support our mission of ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to live a full life. PLEASE follow along this month as we honor the big-hearts that make it all possible.

When: October 25, 2019

Where: Embassy Suites, San Rafael

Tickets: $60

To purchase tickets please call 415.526.5300 or email: mail@lifehouseagency.org

Outstanding Community Members

OUTSTANDING STAFF RECOGNITION

Preview of 17th Annual RCP Tiburon Mile

Coming up on Sunday,

August 19th!

by Peter Maync and Rand Crook

(Article originally published in the Belvedere-Tiburon Magazine)

---

It is said that deer were known to cross the waterway between Tiburon and Angel Island, but I never believed it. Yet humans do it every year, with and without wet suits!

9:00 am Sunday August 19, Angel Island. Months of training have come to this. Crowds will gather, on shore and in boats and kayaks, to witness approximately 800 swimmers, donning speedos or wet suits, aged 6 to 82, dive into the choppy, frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay, hoping to win this one-mile nautical race across the Raccoon Straight to Tiburon’s Sam’s Anchor Cafe. The shotgun will be raised, in great anticipation, signaling the start, featuring some of the top international open water swimmers, national, Olympic and Special Olympic champions, including US Open Water National Champion, Dave Heron; 2016 Olympic Open Water Gold Medalist from the Netherlands, Ferry Weertman; and the Italian Open Water National Swim Team. But entire families and University swim teams will also compete for the 17th year in this annual event, the world’s premier open water swim, that has raised over $1.5 million for charity since 1999. RCP Tiburon Mile Founder, Bob Placak, is a former elite swimmer himself and the owner and President of Robert C. Placak & Associates Insurance Services. He says, proudly, standing elbow to elbow beside his son, wife and entire family, racing with them, ranks among his favorite life moments.

Bob’s goals are three-fold: perpetuate a world-class international open water swimming competition, donate 100% of its proceeds to charity, and local, community-building. Besides our annual Classic Car Show, there is nothing else quite like the RCP Tiburon Mile Swim. So, register at rcptiburonmile.com as a swimmer, or for nearly 200 volunteer opportunities, including body-markers, registrars, and kayak and boat monitors.

This year’s swim event is in support of Lifehouse, a non-profit which, since 1954, has served people with developmental disabilities. Nancy Moody, Lifehouse President and C.E.O., is pleased to work with Bob and this wonderful event. (Please see annexed sideboard).

A long-time supporter of the RCP Tiburon Mile Swim is Bill Price, who has four-times won the Mayor’s Cup, awarded for the fastest time from start to finish by a Belvedere or Tiburon resident, and who has done so much for this major event.

Robert Placak & Nancy Dow Moody with RCP Tiburon Open Mile Swim Trophy (Photo by  Renee Maync) 

AUTISM AWARENESS

Understanding & Acceptance 

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a pervasive early developmental disorder that strongly impacts how an individual socially engages with his or her world. Autism is a spectrum, so there is a range in social abilities within ASD. 

What are some Symptoms related to Autism Spectrum Disorder?

#LightItUpBlue

• Blunted reaction to emotional events

• Difficulty understanding the intentions of others

• Poor eye contact 

• Anxiety

• Developmental delay in speech and language understanding 

•  Persistent repetition of words or actions

• Intense interest in a limited number of things or problems paying attention

---

Did you know...

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), almost half (about 44%) of children identified with ASD  has an above average intellectual ability.

Economic Costs of Autism on Families

The financial costs per year in 2011for children with ASD in the Untied States were estimated to be between $11.5 billion - $60.9 billion. In addition to medical costs, intensive behavioral interventions for children with ASD can cost in the upwards of  $40,000 to $60,000 per child per year.  

---

Seven Ways to Help Your Nonverbal Child Speak

by Autism Speaks

1. Encourage play and social interaction
2. Imitate your child
3. Focus on nonverbal communication
4. Leave “space” for your child to talk
5. Simplify your language
6. Follow your child’s interests
7. Consider assistive devices and visual supports

Do you need to find a service provider for someone with ASD? 

The Marin Autism Collaborative can help! The Marin Autism Collaborative (MAC) aims to identify the current services in ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) in Marin County and the current gaps in services to families, professionals and consumers with ASD. 

---

today you can help bring understanding and acceptance to autism
by wearing blue #lighitupblue