NLACRCЃfs 2007 Legislative Breakfast

Left to right: Paul Krekorian, Assembly Member 43rd District, Julia Brownley, Assembly Member 41st District, Cameron Smyth, Assembly Member 38th District, and Jenni Moran, Executive Director, Desert Haven Enterprises and recipient of the 11th Annual Jynny Retzinger Award

Every year, NLACRC hosts the Jynny Retzinger Legislative Breakfast at New HorizonЃfs SamЃfs CafeЃL.  The 2007 breakfast was held on April 13th and included the participation of  several legislators or their representatives and over 100 people in attendance.

The theme of this yearЃfs breakfast ЃgWhere WeЃfve Been and Where WeЃfre GoingЃh focused on 40 years of regional center history. 

New Horizons staff and consumers addressed the evolution of employment, Linda Anderson and Loralee Sutton  spoke about meaningful community experiences, NLACRC executive director George Stevens gave a historical perspective and spoke about Assembly Bill 1031, and Steve Miller, executive director of Tierra del Sol ended with the closing remarks.

New Horizons staff member Dante Pacifici asks his brother Aldo to tell the legislators about the work that he does as a participant in one of the agencyЃfs programs.

The Jynny Retzinger Award, which is presented to an individual in recognition of their service and dedication to the developmental disability community, was awarded to Jenni Moran, Executive Director of Desert Haven Enterprises. Congratulations Jenni!

We hope to see you at the 2008 breakfast which will be held next Spring.

 

Several local legislators or their representatives participated in NLACRCЃfs 22nd Legislative Breakfast

What is Advocacy?
To help protect the legal, human and service rights of individuals.

Helping Consumers Help Themselves
NLACRCЃfs Consumer Advocate Jose Rodriguez

Jose Rodriguez joined the NLACRC staff in January 2004 as the part-time consumer advocate. Before coming to NLACRC, the energetic 22-year-old worked in retail at Western Bagel for two years. He also attended New HorizonЃfs work training program where he focused on sharpening his job skills, and he helped train other consumers on how to fill out job applications.

Jose sees his main role as helping NLACRC consumers to develop confidence in becoming self advocates. He does this by participating in consumer trainings at the Family Focus Resource Center where different topics are covered each month. He conducts trainings for staff as well. He visits day programs to make sure that the consumerЃfs needs are being met, and attends Area Board 10 meetings and special trainings to gain more knowledge about issues that may be of importance to consumers.

Jose Rodriguez

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The question I hear most often from family members or consumers is about how to find a job," says Jose. As a regional center consumer, he is able to share his own personal experience with others, and has collected many valuable resources such as job guides, and job-related information that can assist consumers to prepare for finding employment.

What does Jose enjoy the most about being NLACRCЃfs consumer advocate?

"I like being able to help people. I tell them about their rights and responsibilities and remind them that they have the right to be respected but we also must respect others. It feels good helping people. I love my job," he says.

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