Momentum supports more than 6,500 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families across five counties in Southern California. Lifespan services are provided among the over 37 programs and service sites. Offering innovative disability services, Momentum’s mission it to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of children and adults with disabilities and medical conditions. Learn more at momentum4all.org
AbilityFirst Camp Paivika has brought the joys and benefits of sleep-away camp to thousands of individuals with developmental and physical disabilities since 1947. With nurturing support, campers enjoy a full range of traditional camp activities like swimming, horseback riding, talent shows, and arts and crafts. Their families enjoy valuable respite from the rigors of providing 24/7 care. abilityfirst.org/camp-paivika
Established in 1982, Able ARTS Work’s mission is “Love Before Learning. Learn for Life”. Their vision is to provide life-long learning, community service, and vocational opportunities through the creative arts for people with disabilities of all ages. Programs include: Adult Day Programs, Galleries and Exhibitions, Creative Health and Wellness Clinics, Accessible Art Workshops, and ArtBeat Radio. ableartswork.org
Canine Companions enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. They open up new opportunities and possibilities and spread incredible joy. They have provided over 5,000 assistance dogs since being founded in 1975. canine.org
Exceptional Minds is an animation studio and digital arts school for young adults who fall on the autism spectrum. Based in Los Angeles, Exceptional Minds trains and places students in animation and visual effects jobs in the film industry. Going far beyond technical training, it teaches social and collaborative skills, helps students feel confident in their ability to succeed, and enables them to become more self-sufficient.
exceptional-minds.org
ICAN California Abilities Network creates job opportunities, provides job coaching and preparation training, and helps find employment for people with developmental disabilities. With their recently launched Marketplace Initiative, ICAN continues to grow, improving the lives of more disabled individuals, empowering people with disabilities to say “I Can”. ican.org
Manes for Movement was founded in 2018 in Rolling Hills Estates. With a mission to help improve function and positively change the lives of individuals through the use of Equine Assisted Therapies and Activities, they serve those with a variety of developmental, genetic and neuromuscular diagnoses. Services are provided to children as young as 18 months old through adults 82 years young. manesformovement.com
Momentum Pediatric Therapy Network (PTN) helps children with disabilities and medical conditions by providing therapies that increase their ability to live a more fulfilling and independent life. Momentum PTN serves children of all abilities, including those with an autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, developmental delays, orthopedic and neurological challenges, and sports related injuries. momentum4all.org/pediatrictherapynetwork
Mychal’s Learning Place provides the support, training and opportunities to youth and young adults with developmental disabilities to build their independence and pursue their goals and dreams. Services include an after-school program, Path to Independence Adult Day Program, Mychal’s Bakery and Coffee mobile coffee service, Saturday Enrichment and more. mychals.org
Our Village, based in Torrance, helps children, teenagers and young adults with autism, ADHD, social anxiety and other social delays. Founded in 2015, it provides a variety of services that enhance friendship skills, social education, inclusion, empathy, and social and emotional wellness, as well as trainings to schools and the community. ourvillageslc.org
Since 2008, SCL has funded innovative programs for students with special needs in South Bay school districts. These grants have included assistive technology, sensory equipment, special programs and educational tools to help meet the unique needs of these students. Our goal is to provide opportunities, enhance learning, and increase acceptance of students with special needs within the general education setting. pvpusd.net
Partners for Pediatric Vision turns possibilities into achievements for children with visual impairment and multiple disabilities. Providing a critical link between healthcare, education and support services, they focus on increasing each family’s understanding of their child’s visual impairment and help them to identify and partner with sources of support. They envision a world where all children with visual impairment have equal access to the healthcare, education and support they need to be successful in life. partnersforpediatricvision.org
Ride to Fly is dedicated to providing therapeutic horseback riding and the associated learning experiences to children and adults with disabilities in a safe, nurturing environment, serving the South Bay since 1994. Riding exercises the spirit as well as the body. The horse has the wonderful ability to allow the rider to unconditionally bond and form a loving friendship, promoting trust. And perhaps most important of all... it is fun! ridetofly.org
Switzer Learning Center, founded in 1966, provides an innovative educational therapy program to students with learning disabilities, emotional issues, attention problems, and behavioral disorders. The Center serves students from elementary school to young adulthood. Students develop hope, belief in their abilities to change, and opportunities to achieve success in school and life. switzercenter.org
The United States Adaptive Recreation Center was founded in 1983 to ensure that access to skiing is available to people with all types of disabilities. The USARC believes people are empowered when they undertake and succeed at challenging outdoor recreation. The USARC runs an adaptive ski school at Bear Mountain Resort, in addition to adaptive water sports and summer camping programs. ww.usarc.org
Founded in 2017 by a local Palos Verdes mom, We Are Brave Together provides respite, community, and mentoring for mothers caring for children of any age with disabilities, special needs, medical or mental health challenges. We Are Brave Together is a supportive community serving over five hundred moms of children with special needs through educational workshops, support groups, retreats, and inspirational events. wearebravetogether.com