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The Help Group’s Child and Family Outpatient Services offer extensive child abuse prevention and intervention and mental health services for children and their families on behalf of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Department of Mental Health. To learn more, click here. |
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The Help Group’s 18th Annual Keyes European Mercedes Benz Teddy Bear Golf Classic and Lockton Insurance Brokers Awards Dinner was held on Monday, April 20th at the El Caballero Country Club. The Los Angeles business community scored a “hole in one” for the children of The Help Group through its participation and generosity. Keyes European Mercedes Benz was the tournament title sponsor for the 13th consecutive year and Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC sponsored the awards dinner for the 3rd consecutive year. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher partner, Jesse Sharf was honored by The Help Group with the ‘Help Fore Children Humanitarian Award’ for his outstanding humanitarianism and heartfelt commitment to children. Charles P. Toppino, President of Five Tops Inc.was honored as the ‘2009 Joe Angello Volunteer Award’ recipient for his outstanding spirit of volunteerism, and friendship to the children of The Help Group.
Celebrity players included Vijay Amritraj renowned tennis legend, ESPN sports anchor, and philanthropist, and celebrity parents of children with special needs including Gary Cole, Help Group National Celebrity Spokesperson and featured actor in the HBO series Entourage, Joe Mantegna, autism advocate and star of the CBS crime drama Criminal Minds, Brian Baumgartner from NBC’s sitcom The Office.
Golf Classic Chairs included Howard Tenenbaum, Vice President of Keyes Motors, Inc. and Judd Swarzman, both board members of The Help Group and Chris Hoffman, Senior Managing Director, Eastdil Secured; and Charles Toppino, President, Five Tops, Inc.
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Village Glen Student, Patrick DiTomaso is featured in the Simi Valley Acorn
Helping the Homeless Stay a Little Warmer
by Eliav Appelbaum ~ March 6, 2009
Patrick DiTomaso's family says he has a tendency to put others before himself.
To read the full article, click here. |
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This holiday season, Right Start hosted a toy drive in all of its 36 retail outlets throughout the United States.
In collaboration with The Help Group National Autism Foundation, this wonderful program brightened the holiday season for children
with autism, ages 5 and under, whose families have limited financial means. The Help Group's National Autism Foundation accepted applications
from qualified nonprofit autism organizations in each of the Right Start cities throughout the country and selected the beneficiary organizations.
“The Help Group was proud to partner with Right Start whose leadership promotes community involvement,” said Dr. Barbara Firestone, President
and CEO of The Help Group. “We salute Right Start for its commitment to caring and including the public in ongoing awareness campaigns
on behalf of children with autism and other special needs.”
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Special student honored at Lakers game
Article taken from The Acorn- January 8, 2009 edition
By Leslie Gregory Haukoos
When Emily Werman stepped out onto the Staples Center basketball court during halftime at a recent Lakers game, she wasn't there to shoot hoops. Emily was to be named one of the Lakers Students of the Month, along with two other students and three teachers from the Los Angeles area.
Emily, 14, who lives in Agoura Hills and attends ninth grade at Village Glen School in Sherman Oaks, was nominated for the award by her former teacher, Karine Drury, for her accomplishments.
"Emily has a big heart," Drury said. "She's very involved in her community. Despite her busy schedule (school and tennis), she finds the time to help out others more challenged than herself. She always volunteers to help friends, especially with math, where she excels, and would stand up to anyone trying to bully someone less able or weaker.
"Despite her challenges, Emily came in (to class) every day, full of energy, and was ready to tackle whatever life threw her way," Drury said.
Marcie Werman, Emily's mother, listed just some of her daughter's accomplishments which include the Presidential Math Award and the Presidential National Fitness Award. Emily is a ranked tennis player in the Southern California Tennis Association and in the Girls 14s singles and plays on the varsity and JV basketball teams at her school. She's also a ranked chess player in the US Chess Federation and is reigning chess champion for middle and high school at Village Glen, which means she beat the teachers at the school as well as the other students.
In addition to her school and athletic involvement, Emily volunteers for The Friendship Circle, an organization that pairs special needs kids with peer volunteers in the community. Emily and her brother Charlie, 13, both work with kids at the Friendship Circle in the gymnastics program, the Miracle Sports League and Sunday Circle.
Sponsored by Staples, the Student and Teacher of the Month program accepts nominations of individuals from schools in the Los Angeles area. Winners are invited to a Lakers home game where they are called down to the court and publicly recognized for their academic and athletic accomplishments as well as community service. Emily's big day was one Sunday in December when her parents were asked to bring her to the Lakers game at Staples Center. "We didn't even know her teacher had nominated her," said Emily's mom.
"I wish the world had more Emilys in it," her former teacher said. "It would be a better place."
For more information about the Lakers' student of the month program, visit www.nba.com/lakers/community/0708studentteacher.
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The Daily News Features
The Help Group's Village Glen Graduation
In mid-June, students from The Help Group’s Village Glen School experienced the time-honored tradition of high school graduation. The Daily News captured this proud moment and the remarkable achievements of these graduating seniors, many of whom will be attending community colleges, vocational schools or four-year University’s. The Help Group’s Village Glen Schools in Culver City and Sherman Oaks are dedicated to helping children and adolescents with Asperger’s Disorder and non-verbal learning disabilities excel.
To read more from the local press:
The Daily News, Valley Edition, Capping Off a Remarkable Comeback
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Andy heyward and p.j. hogan and jocelyn moorhouse
honored at The Help Group’s 2008 Teddy Bear Picnic
Details... |
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| Making a Difference Together |
Gelson’s is making a difference for children with autism and their families. Once again, this year, Gelson’s is featuring The Help Group’s, There is Hop e, There is Help, learn the early signs of autism campaign during National Autism Awareness month in April. Brochures with autism facts will be prominently displayed in each of the 18 Gelson’s store locations throughout Southern California.
In addition, store patrons can participate in Autism Awareness month by making a $3, $5 or $10 contribution at the register. Funds raised from the There Hope, There is Help campaign support The Help Group’s autism education and outreach programs.
The Help Group extends a very special thank you to Gelson’s for their outstanding support.
You can visit any one of the following Gelson’s locations to participate in the campaign: www.gelsons.com
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SPECIAL RECEPTION MARKS NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
In recognition of National Autism Awareness month, The Help Group held a special reception at The Help Group Sherman Oaks campus
on April 9th to honor individuals and organizations with a commitment to California's children and their families. The reception was generously sponsored
by The California Wellness Foundation and attended by distinguished leaders, supporters and parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Reception Details...> Event Press Release...> |
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The Social World of Autism: Te aching Social Skills to Children and Adolescents with High
Functioning Autism and Asperger's Disorder
featuring
Liz Laugeson, Psy.D. and Sara McCracken, Psy.D.
Monday, March 3, 2008
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Empathy and Systemizing in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Relevance for Education
featuring
Simon Baron-Cohen, Ph.D
January 14, 2008
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Culver
City 
Valley
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