ETTA’s story is the story of our clients
Etta Story
ETTA supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as autism and Down syndrome, and believes in creating an inclusive, aware Los Angeles community where people with disabilities are safe, valued, and able to achieve independence to the fullest extent of their potential.
Since 2003, the incidence of major developmental disabilities has increased, among them intellectual disabilities (34%), epilepsy (21%), cerebral palsy (19%). This decade alone, 500,000 children with autism are entering adulthood. In California, since 2000, the number of people with autism served by the Department of Developmental services has increased by 238%. Yet state funding is static. There is an absence of affordable housing.
There is great need for more jobs programs, social programs, life skills programs and other supports for people with disabilities. Through its homes, services, and programs, ETTA is building a community while improving the quality of life for so many families and individuals. With your support, ETTA can continue to expand its services to help more people, and as shared members of the Los Angeles community, we all benefit.
A couple of our client stories:
Rachel recently attended Summer@ETTA for the first time – the first time she had attended any program so far away from her family. “I like movies, baseball, my family, cooking, and helping my friends with math,” shares Rachel, who was diagnosed with mental retardation as a toddler. Her mother, Debbie, was worried about Rachel being at camp so far away, but could see her grow and take steps towards independence, making both Rachel and her mother happy. “ETTA has opened my eyes to more of a future for my daughter and for me,” she says. “Thank G-d we have this organization in Los Angeles… It’s giving me more hope for the future.”
Neal was diagnosed with severe, non-verbal autism at age 3. His mother, Elaine Hall, founder of The Miracle Project, says “A real turning point was when we attended a Hanukah party at one of the ETTA homes and Neal looked at me and just said, "bye", and went off to hang out with others. Later, I asked him, do you want to live there? He said, “yes.” That's the first time he said he would want to live away from us.” Neal uses technology to communicate and at 22, he is ready to live as an independent adult. “My son’s world is a place of overwhelm and of wonder, and it’s taught me to be appreciative of every moment and every celebration,” says Elaine. “For moms of people with special needs, we celebrate everything – and that’s what ETTA does, it helps us celebrate.”
ETTA Comes Full Circle with Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy
Continued from Homepage
This is Pesach’s first job and his enthusiasm is evident. His passion for life and the enjoyment he receives helping others endears him to students and faculty alike. While every ETTA client job is significant, Pesach’s employment at Hillel is quite unique.
In the early 1960s Rabbi Dolgin of Beth Jacob Congregation understood the need to nurture all kinds of minds. He asked Mrs. Israel, a much beloved member of the Jewish community, to create a special education class. Initially meeting at Beth Jacob, Hillel’s principal Rabbi Menachem Gottesman provided the leadership to move the class across the street to Hillel. The class continued in the warm and inviting atmosphere of Hillel until Mrs. Israel retired in 1984.
Mrs. Israel’s class was the first of its kind in the Jewish community and became a model that would be emulated in the field of Special Education. The class participated in activities with all grades, sharing experiences and learning from one another. An entire generation of former Hillel students fondly remember Mrs. Israel and her students.
Upon her retirement Mrs. Israel embarked on a personal journey to continue her work. Although her assets were modest, she created a charitable bequest directed to serve individuals with special needs. That bequest took form in the creation of the Etta Israel Center (ETTA). Mrs. Israel passed in 1990 and a short three years later Etta Israel Center began delivering services to the community.
Over the years ETTA has enjoyed a special relationship with Hillel. ETTA and Hillel have collaborated on many programs such as Summer@ETTA, seminars, teacher training, and other special education programs.
It is gratifying that ETTA, which has grown tremendously over the years, has been able to fulfill Mrs. Israel’s vision that every person is entitled to a life of education, meaning and dignity. Pesach working at Hillel, where it all began, is proof that her vision continues on today.
“ETTA clients have proved to be reliable and valueable employees in the workplace,” Dr. Michael Held, ETTA Executive Director said. “In addition, holding a job provides our men and women with an important sense of self-worth. We urge organizations and companies in the Los Angeles area to explore how ETTA clients can make a significant contribution to their organization.”
Founded in 1993, ETTA is a leading service provider of programs and services to adults with disabilities in Southern California. Programs include: residential housing, adult day programs, life skills, case management, employment training and support, the innovative Summer@ETTA, social and recreational programming, educational services and social services.
Employers who wish to discuss employment opportunities can contact Menachem Litenatsky at menachem@etta.org.
