Annual Meeting
Right Image: Bill Martone thanks Violet Hall and Michael Ibardoloza for sharing their personal stories.
The University Club in Pasadena was the site of Hathaway-Sycamores’ Annual Meeting on September 25th.
During the meeting new officers and board members were announced and award recipients recognized. Additionally, two of the young adults, Michael Ibardoloza and Violet Hall, who have benefited from Hathaway-Sycamores’ Transitional Independent Living Program shared their personal histories. Hathaway-Sycamores’ Transitional Living Program is designed for youth emancipating from the foster-care system. The program provides housing and helps young people acquire the skills needed to live independently. Michael and Violet both described how the safety net provided by the program changed the direction their lives were headed in a positive way. Their stories were an inspiration to everyone present.
This year’s Special Recognition Service Award was presented to Las Candelas, a volunteer organization that raises funds for Hathaway-Sycamores’ nonpublic school. Hathaway-Sycamores’ Board Chair Annsley Strong presented the award to Las Candelas Board members Louise Lewis and Ginger Whitesell.
Vistas for Children, a philanthropic organization of women from the Greater South Bay area, was the recipient of the Friends of Children Award. Vistas for Children has supported Hathaway-Sycamores since 2001, most recently providing much-needed funds for Hathaway-Sycamores’ Transitional Independent Living Program. Accepting the award on behalf of Vistas for Children were Board members T.C. Sayles and Alyse Zwickel.
Strong then presented the Foundation Tribute Award to the Eisner Foundation, which was founded in 1996 by Michael Eisner, chairman and chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Company. In 2007, the Eisner Foundation funded a two-year project designed to address serious behavioral problems. Called Positive Behavioral Support, this Hathaway-Sycamores’ program has already resulted in a 50-percent reduction in disciplinary issues. Eisner Foundation Executive Director Trent Stamp accepted the award.
Hathaway-Sycamores’ Annual Meeting closed with performances by youngsters from South Los Angeles’ Grant AME Choir and from Hathaway-Sycamores’ Center for Grief and Loss for Children.
