Dear Friends and Supporters,

For far too long adults with disabilities have been left out of the state’s and nation’s economic success as it relates to employment. While the nation shows an average 4% unemployment rate, people with disabilities experience unemployment rates of 83%. Transition-age youth (ages 16-22) are especially challenged by lack of work experience, transportation, and social skills.  As such, we’re making this one of our highest priorities in the coming year.

I am pleased to report that thanks to a generous grant from the Windsong Foundation, we will be launching a youth program targeting young adults, assisting them to choose, get and keep employment.

Working with schools and other referral sources, including the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) and the North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC), New Horizons is launching a  comprehensive new program for transitioning high school students with disabilities.  This new program, called the Youth Education and Training Program,  will work specifically with individuals who are between the ages of 16-24 years of age and will build a network outside of school for these targeted students. Services will include a college to career path, development and refinement of soft skills, employment training, and job placement and retention services.

In related news, we are looking to expand our existing Employment Services (ES) division, and Anna Eskandarian, our beloved leader of the ES team, has agreed to help us plan and execute an expansion of services in this area. Did you know that we currently have over 400 individuals with special needs in community based employment? And that’s just the start as we believe that we can successfully double that number in the years to come.

I’m also happy to report that Reseda Ranch, our 13^th Group Home, is preparing to open this summer. While this has been a long and laborious process, the end result is a beautiful home that will provide a wonderful home for six individuals. And, while we’re still working out the details, I can’t wait to invite you to our grand opening sometime this summer!

Finally, I want to give you an update on the transition of our three ICF-DDN group homes. We have applied for licensing to change them to ICF-DDH homes, and we’re seeing solid progress on this initiative as well.

As one of our senior staff members recently said, “It’s a great time to be at New Horizons.” I hope you feel that way too, and I look forward to sharing additional updates as we continue to evolve and grow.

Thank you for your support along the way—we couldn’t do it without you!

Best,
John