BLANKETS, CUPCAKES AND FRIENDS

Sixth grade students from a local primary school, Manuel Dublan, visited La Gaviota on April 1, 2009 to get acquainted.

The new friends brought cupcakes and juice for refreshments and presented each of the Gaviota students with a fleece blanket that they had made.

The visiting students helped with physical therapy and classroom activities and have promised to return another time.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICE PROJECT

The volunteer periodontist that provided services in March 2009 brought his wife and two daughters.

His youngest daughter organized a service project as a part of her Bat Mitzvah and used some of the funds raised to purchase basic food boxes for La Gaviota families that are struggling financially.

She and her sister went to the local grocery store to purchase food supplies.

The supplies were packed in boxes…..

And delivered to the families.

The planning and effort that is a part of a service project that benefits the association and its individual families, like the one provided by this special young lady, are greatly appreciated.

NUTRITION PRESENTATION

Dr. Susan Kleiner, author of "The Good Mood Diet" and several other books, presented a discussion March 27, 2009 on nutrition and the simple changes that can be made in the diets of the families that attend La Gaviota.

She explained how nutrition affects growth, development and brain function in an easy to understand manner. The mothers and adult students that participated in the activity continue to comment on what they learned and are already applying some of her suggestions as they prepare the meals at school and in their homes.

(For more information about Dr. Kleiner and her books, please visit www.goodmooddiet.com)

MARCH 2009 DENTAL CLINIC

Three dentists and a periodontist from California and Washington provided a dental clinic on March 26 & 27, 2009. Almost 100 patients, that do not otherwise have the resources to receive good dental care, were provided with fillings, necessary extractions and instructions in dental hygiene.

It was the first trip for one dentist and an assistant but the other three dentists and one assistant were returning volunteers.

One young man was suffering from excessive staining on his teeth and was considering having them extracted. Through the intervention of one of the volunteer dentists, he left the clinic with a beautiful smile and white teeth.

The Friday clinic was devoted almost entirely to the Mennonite population. One volunteer speaks “Plautdietsch” and has worked with APNMI and the Mennonite population for over two years scheduling their appointments and translating. His wife also volunteers and helps with the cleaning, preparing food and serving the meals to the team.

The Mennonite children played happily in the therapy gym as they waited for their turn.

Family volunteer participation is encouraged and many times the dentists bring their spouses or children to help during the clinic; three family groups were part of the team. The periodontist brought his wife and two daughters and they gave valuable help sterilizing the instruments, running errands and providing other services as well. (Please see the articles on Nutrition and the Food Distribution Service Project).

One father and daughter team enjoyed spending time together as they worked, did some sight-seeing and traveled together.

Another of the dentists brought his daughter to assist him and his son-in-law served as a Spanish translator.

The dentist that organized the March 2009 team helps with clean-up at the end of the clinic.

The clinic was a great success and we look forward to another visit by the team in a year.

VISION CLINIC

See new information about our recent vision clinic in the Medical/Dental section posted in February 2009.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Sponsoring a student that attends the Gaviota makes it possible for him to continue to receive all the services offered through the association. You will be assigned a specific child and you may choose how much you want to be involved through periodic reports of the child’s progress, pictures, letters and/or e-mails.

The estimated cost for each child that attends the Gaviota is $140.00 U.S. per month and established donations provide approximately 1/3 of the funding for each child. Full sponsorships are $90.00 per month but partial sponsorships can also be arranged through deposits to Labor of Love Association’s Bank of America account. One-time donations are also gladly accepted.

Contact us for further information on how to sponsor one of these special children.

FUNDING

APNMI and La Gaviota are supported by donations from foundations and individuals interested in improving the lives of persons with disabilities and fund-raising activities. The Gaviota is registered as a private school and as such receives no government funds. The school does not charge tuition because the majority of the students come from families of very limited means. However, the families work together making tamales, holding bazaars and selling food at special community events to raise funds for the maintenance of the Center.

A tax-deductible receipt for donations made to the Labor of Love Association is available. Please contact us via e-mail for more detailed information on how to made your donation.

ADULT SERVICES

In January 2003 Adult services were initiated with classes for adults with special challenges. The program was developed to provide on-going support for the children of La Gaviota as they mature and to reach adults with special challenges in the community.

Classes are given in ceramics, sewing, card-making, and other manual arts. Social activities, personal living skills and physical education are also integral parts of the program.

ADAPTED EQUIPMENT

An important part of APNMI services includes the distribution of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, hospital beds, and other adapted devices for the improved care of persons with disabilities. The equipment is loaned to the patients with the understanding that it will be returned when no longer needed. The equipment is not sold, rented, or given away and most of the patients conscientiously return it. This equipment is fundamental to improve the quality of life for the individual and to facilitate integration in society.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

When APNMI was established, its founders realized the need for interaction between families with similar challenges. This contact helps to increase the self-esteem of each family. The first activities organized by the association were parties and social events. These continue to be an important and ongoing characteristic of the group.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

APNMI and La Gaviota participate in programs that help improve the social standing of persons with disabilities.

The participation of the association and its families in programs, forums, parades, fundraising activities and other community events helps bring about a change in the public’s perception as it relates to people with special needs.

NUTRITION SERVICES

A nutritious meal is provided every day using donated food from a government agency and local grocery stores. A local bakery has also donated fresh bread daily for many years. Each week a different set of mothers is assigned to prepare and serve the food. Classes and workshops on nutrition and food preparation are provided.

Donated infant formula arrives frequently from the U.S. and is distributed to the families to help supplement infants, medically fragile and/or tube-fed children and has positively impacted their health conditions.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Thanks to the generous donation of vehicles and fuel, transportation is provided for children and parents within a twenty mile radius of the school via wheelchair accessible vans. The fragile medical condition of many of the children makes this a necessary service to facilitate their school attendance.

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

APNMI’s affiliated school, La Gaviota, was formally licensed and accredited in 1998 for the provision of general education to children with disabilities from birth through age 18 and in 2003 was expanded to include an adult program. The school is having more influence within the educational and medical community each year. Local doctors are referring patients and more children are being enrolled as infants. The school has a current enrollment of approximately 45 children and 20 adults.

Therapy services: All persons enrolled in La Gaviota that require physical therapy receive daily group sessions under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The student’s mothers are taught the necessary exercises for their children and are assisted by volunteers.

Home support and distance learning: A young Mennonite boy from a distant community receives his speech therapy and education at home using materials and an education plan furnished by La Gaviota. His program is adapted through continued evaluations and interviews with his parents.

Early Intervention: (birth – 3 years old): The Gaviota staff works with infants and their parents teaching methods of interaction and therapy designed to help improve the child’s cognitive and physical development. The parents are also supported in their adjustment to their child’s disability.

Preschool Program (3 – 5 years old): The children have classroom activities where they have the opportunity to learn, complete tasks, and interact with other students. They are also prepared to enter regular kindergarten whenever possible.

Special Education Program (No age limit): This program is designed for persons that developmentally will always need therapy and extra care. These are the children that remain a part of La Gaviota for their entire lives and are an integral part of the school family.

Adult Program (18 years and older): The adults enrolled in this program participate in educational courses and enjoy many social activities that include eating in restaurants, attending plays and concerts, and visiting the museum. They are learning to work as a group as they assemble greeting cards and create ceramic pieces that they sell. They are learning to manage their money and have earned their school uniforms.