1 HelpLine The Help Group...because every child deserves a great future WINTER 2014 THE HELP GROUP OPENS NEW EDUCATION BUILDING AT ITS CULVER CITY CAMPUS It was a truly memorable afternoon when The Help Group cut the ribbon – and the hope and opportunity that this beautiful new building brings. on its newest autism education building on Wednesday, May 21st, at its And it’s about celebrating the partnership of caring of our Board of Culver City Campus joined by dignitaries and friends. Directors, administration, faculty, staff, governmental colleagues and philanthropic friends all working hand in hand for the children to make Dr. Barbara Firestone, President & CEO, The Help Group, opened the this new education facility a reality.” Help Group Board Chair Gary H. proceedings, “Today’s celebration is about the children and their families Carmona remarked, “It seems like just yesterday that we were donning (Read more on pg. 5) KEYES FOR KIDS MICROSOFT YOUTH TEDDY BEAR BALL THE COFFEE BEAN & TEDDY BEAR GOLF SPARK GRANT 2014 TEA LEAF HOLIDAY CLASSIC 2014 GIVING CAMPAIGN DECK THE WALLS Keyes for Kids Teddy Bear Celeste Alleyne accepts Teddy Bear Ball Honors Deck the Walls at The Coffee Golf Classic Honors award on behalf of Microsoft Kevin Beggs and Brian & Bean & Tea Leaf ® Jonathan Pollack Youthspark Susan Kennedy HelpLine 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CIRCLE OF FRIENDS MICROSOFT YOUTHSPARK GRANT IS THE COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF AND THE Gary H. Carmona Linda Bell Blue BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR HELP GROUP: A HOLIDAY TRADITION Chairman of the Board Bruce Berman A MESSAGE Dr. Barbara Firestone Hon. Howard & Janis Berman YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS President & CEO TO OUR FRIENDS Carole Black Make your next cup of Susan Berk Director Lisa & John Brady coffee or tea an extra special Dear Friends, Robert Dorman Ann Costello one for the children of The Help Group. Thanks to the Director We’re delighted to share this year-end edition of Helpline Susanne & Greg Daniels Dr. David Firestone Suzanne & Robert Davidow generosity of The Coffee Bean Director with you. During the holiday season, it is especially Hon. Gray & Sharon Davis & Tea Leaf (CBTL), the “Deck meaningful to highlight some of the special friends and the Walls” campaign, now in Perry Katz Jane & Michael Eisner Director its 13th year, will support The organizations that have supported our efforts to build Samantha & Jonathan Dr. Martin Lasky Help Group’s efforts on behalf brighter futures for the children. Firestone Director Elizabeth & Lee Gabler of children with special needs. Jerrold Monkarsh 2014 has been an exciting year at The Help Group – the Vice Chair Emeritus Therese Gamba "Everyone at The Coffee Photo courtesy of Microsoft YouthSpark Joy Monkarsh opening of our new autism education building in Culver Ann & Jim Gianopulos Bean & Tea Leaf is proud to Secretary City, the wonderful gatherings of caring and committed Dr. Nancy Glaser support The Help Group Barry N. Nagoshiner, CPA friends at our Teddy Bear Ball and Keyes for Kids Golf Barbara & Brian Goldner again this holiday season. Vice Chair & CFO The Help Group is a wonderful Classic, and our new major grant from Microsoft, to name Brian Grazer Ken Solomon organization with remarkable Hon. Wendy Greuel & Dean Director just a few. Our thanks also to The Coffee Bean and Tea Schramm dedication to children with Judd Swarzman Leaf® for lighting up the season with their annual “Deck Quincy Jones special needs and their Director Microsoft recognizes the difference technology can make for young the Walls” program Ronnie & Michael Kassan families," shared John Howard Tenenbaum people with special needs helping them to more fully develop their Kathleen & Jason Katims 14HOL_PC_HelpGroup.indd 1 10/30/14 5:40 PM Dawson, President & CEO The Executive Vice Chairman school and workplace skill sets. Microsoft YouthSpark awarded The Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your generosity Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® Richard M. Zelle Susan & Brian Kennedy Help Group a most generous $800,000 product grant for the new Director and support of the children. Hon. Paul & Gail Koretz “Building Brighter Futures for Young People with Special Needs” Patrons can participate this holiday season by purchasing one or more Ron Meyer technology initiative. In 2011, Microsoft awarded The Help Group a $1 holiday stickers to “Deck the Walls” at their local Coffee Bean. One Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday CIRCLE OF FRIENDS BOARD Wendy & Barry M. Meyer $500,000 product donation for “Tools for the Future: The Help Group hundred percent of the holiday sticker purchases will benefit The Help season and a Happy New Year! Lori & Michael Milken Technology Project.” Group. Additionally, for every purchase of a one-pound Holiday Blend Dick Costello Lowell Milken Coffee bag or 20-count Winter Dream Best regards, Funding for the new initiative will enable The Help Group to enhance Stephen Davis Sandra Milken Tea tin, The Coffee Bean will donate $1 Mel Elias the digital literacy, learning, achievement and preparation for post- Gary H. Carmona ~ Dr. Barbara Firestone to The Help Group. Both holiday giving Jonathan Glaser Sarah & Jeremy Milken secondary education and vocational workplace opportunities for its programs will run through December Doug Herzog John Nogawski students. “The lasting benefit of this Microsoft YouthSpark grant will be 30th at CBTL’s retail locations in Margaret Loesch Dawn Ostroff to provide our students with the enhanced skillsets which will prepare California and the Western United Ande Rosenblum them for positive and productive futures,” commented Dr. Barbara Chris McGurk States. The Coffee Bean kicked off the Firestone. “The Help Group is immensely grateful to Microsoft for its Jamie McGurk Patty Elias Rosenfeld & holidays with its annual open houses CONTENTS ongoing partnership and commitment to our children.” Jerrold Monkarsh Michael Rosenfeld where customers had the opportunity The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® and The Help Group: A Holiday Tradition ...........3 Joy Monkarsh Cheryl & Haim Saban The Help Group saluted Microsoft YouthSpark with its Champion for to purchase specialty holiday drinks for Fredric D. Rosen Microsoft YouthSpark Grant Awarded to The Help Group ..................................3 Sonia Salzman Children Award for its commitment to creating brighter futures for $1 each, with all sales donated to The Nadine Schiff-Rosen Lori & Ted Samuels young people at its 2014 Summit Conference. Accepting the award on Help Group. Bruce Rosenblum The Help Group Opens New Education Building.......................................................4 behalf of Microsoft YouthSpark, Celeste Alleyne, Director, Citizenship & David Salzman Ellen & Richard Sandler “We are most grateful to The Coffee Keyes for Kids Teddy Bear Golf Classic.......................................................6 Public Affairs remarked, “Microsoft recognizes the great work that The Sunny Sassoon Debbie & Sunny Sassoon Bean & Tea Leaf® for once again Help Group is doing on behalf of young people with special needs, and Summit 2014 Conference Convenes ............................................................8 Stacy & Jesse Sharf generously supporting the children of Ken Solomon is fulfilling its commitment to bridge the opportunity divide for these The Help Group, as they have done for Anne Sweeney 17th Annual Teddy Bear Ball..............................................................................10 Hon. Brad & Lisa Sherman remarkable young people through technology.” Howard Tenenbaum 13 years,” said Dr. Barbara Firestone. New Partnership with USC Occupational Science Division..........................12 Stacey Snider Microsoft established its YouthSpark Program in 2012. A powerful “These holiday campaigns represent Lissa Solomon Colori Boutique Makes the Holiday Season Brighter.....................................12 catalyst, YouthSpark is a company-wide initiative that aims to create the true giving spirit of the season.” Hon. Darrell Steinberg EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION opportunities for 300 million young people around the world by Fifth Annual “Through Our Eyes” Art Exhibit................................ ...........13 Dr. Barbara Firestone Philip H. Miller 2015. A key part of YouthSpark is the work it is doing with nonprofit President & CEO 2014 Music for Autism Concert Season......................................................13 Steve Tisch organizations focused on helping young people access education, Dr. Susan Berman Mary & Bill Urquhart employment and entrepreneurship. Microsoft YouthSpark is making Chief Operating Officer Advance LA 2014 ...................................................................................14 a real impact and helping young people prepare for their next steps. & Claire & D. Michael Van Tom Komp Los Angeles County Honors The Help Group...................................15 Konynenburg Senior Vice President We thank Microsoft for believing in our children and for nurturing Hon. Antonio R. Villaraigosa Village Glen School Receives Highest Accreditation ..........................................15 Michael Love their potential! Senior Vice President Hon. Zev & Barbara Yaroslavsky The Perfect Blend! Summit View School..................................................................................17 Barbara & Stanley Zax 4 HelpLine HelpLine 5 THE HELP GROUP OPENS NEW EDUCATION BUILDING AT ITS CULVER CITY CAMPUS (Cont from Cover) hard hats and shovels to break ground on integral to the development and expansion