Villa Esperanza: Bringing Hope Within Reach

“Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.” These words, credited to the late Norman Vincent Peale, have never found truer meaning than within the context of society’s traditional treatment of the developmentally disabled. It was a mindset which pervaded well into the 20th century that children – and adults – whose behaviors and speech patterns deviated from the norm should be institutionalized, shut away from a world which held no reasonable opportunities for their advancement, independence or emotional well being.

In 1961, Villa Esperanza Services opened its doors in the San Gabriel Valley and sent forth a message that still resonates with the parents, families and friends of individuals who have been diagnosed as having special needs. The operative word is indeed “special” and is reflected in the tireless efforts of its staff, its therapists, its Board members, and its volunteers to be able to provide speech classes, socialization activities, arts and music, adult day programs, employment training, and comprehensive transitional and outreach services that enable its clientele to enjoy a full life.

Gioia Pastre, Vice President of Development, first came to Villa 15 years ago. “The children and the adults we serve have so much to offer the rest of us. They have a disability but our focus at Villa is always on their ability and what they can do to increase their communication, their education, and their living skills so that they can be an important part of the community. Our lives are that much richer, I think, as a result of working with them and empowering them with the tools they need to succeed.”

She relates that Villa was initially launched by mothers of children with Downs Syndrome. “There was simply nothing available in the schools at that time. As these children got older, we started a work program, we started finding residential housing, and now some of those same children are entering their senior years. We’re still here for them and we always will be.”

Board Member Marybeth Rehman-Dittu of La Cañada Flintridge enthusiastically echoes Pastre’s sentiments. “I’ve always had a soft spot for children, and especially those diagnosed with autism. Getting involved with an organization like Villa that I’m so proud of was a chance to give back to a community that has been very good to us.”

She’d like to see even more of the La Cañada Flintridge neighborhood get on board. “Villa provides such incredible services that directly benefit so many people in our area. There are a lot of ways that families, churches and local service organizations can get involved, participate in our activities, and help spread the word that we’re here.” Last year alone, over 400 volunteers donated more than 6,500 hours of their time and talents to Villa’s vision for improving the lives of others. “There’s always room for more,” she insists. “All they have to do is call us.”

Over half of the children currently served by Villa have autism and need the comprehensive, specialized programs Villa offers. Autism’s steady increase since the 1990’s is a concern not lost on either of these women and poses long-range challenges for Villa in terms of local school systems and preparing these young people for adulthood.

Cites Pastre, “We’re now looking at 1 out of 150 children born in California who are diagnosed with this condition and will need our services. At the same time, we’re seeing Villa ‘graduates’ who have done well at our school and in Special Ed programs in the community and want to enter programs that will help them find meaningful work.”

Rehman-Dittu shares that two of Villa’s clients serve on the Board of Directors with her. “Hearing their success stories is inspiring to us, plus they’re always excited to contribute great ideas for fund-raisers.”

It’s important for them to have a voice in our programs,” Pastre adds, “because they’re really the future of Villa.”

There’s no shortage of praise from those whose lives have been touched by the services of this organization. "We love Villa!” declares Denise Sparks, a parent and member of Villa’s Board. “We know our son is receiving a quality education in a safe and nurturing environment. He gets one-on-one attention and is able to read, write and do math."

Says Villa staff member and parent Donna McGregor, "I am grateful for the support Villa has provided our family, not only to my sons, but to me after my husband passed away. My sons would not have advanced as much as they have without Villa's support and the opportunities they've provided."

We just received a very ambitious and generous grant,” Pastre points out, explaining that it will assist in implementing their strategic plan for the next three years. “This will enable us to fund capacity building, strengthen our infrastructure, grow our programs, and help us to launch a capital campaign which will increase the number of individuals we can serve.”

Villa is funded by a combination of state assistance, school districts, and fund-raising events such as the upcoming “Blue and White” on Sunday, May 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

As Rehman-Dittu explains, “It’s a wonderful garden brunch for all ages at the home of Paulette and Mark Geragos in La Cañada and will honor Villa’s Guardian Angels.” This year’s honorees are long-time supporters Lee and John Taylor who, along with daughter Stephanie, have donated time and energy to Villa’s services for the past decade. Reservations for the event (which are tax deductible) are $125 for adults and $50 for teens. Children under 12 are free.

For more information, contact (626) 449-2919, extension 62. Readers are also invited to visit the organization’s website at http://www.villaesperanzaservices.org/.

Photo By Christina Hamlett: Gioia Pastre and Marybeth Rehman-Dittu.