NLACRC's 2010 Legislative Breakfast

Some of the legislators or their representatives who participated in the 2010 Legislative Breakfast.

NLACRC’s 25th Jynny Retzinger Legislative Breakfast was held on April 9th, 2010 at New Horizon’s Sam’s Cafe.  Nine legislators or their representatives and more than 125 people attended to learn more about the theme of the breakfast “Employment: It’s All About Work.”

The program included consumers sharing their stories about how being employed has been a very rewarding experience for them, and a brief video with a message from consumers who would like to have that opportunity. The legislators were asked to help make more internships and jobs available to regional center consumers.

New Horizons President and CEO Cynthia Kawa is presented with the Jynny Retzinger Award by North Los Angeles County Regional Center’s Director of Human Resources Michele Marra.

New Horizons’ own Cynthia Kawa received the Jynny Retzinger Award  for her outstanding contributions to the developmental disability community. Many of the New Horizons consumers, board members, and staff were present to see her receive the award.





We gratefully acknowledge the legislators and everyone who attended this year’s breakfast to make it one of the most successful events to date.

Cynthia Kawa receives a certificate from Assembly Member Cameron Smyth.

What is Advocacy?
To help protect the legal, human and service rights of individuals.

Helping Consumers Help Themselves
NLACRC's Consumer Advocate Jose Rodriguez

Jose Rodriguez joined the NLACRC staff in January 2004 as the part-time consumer advocate. Before coming to NLACRC, the energetic 22-year-old worked in retail at Western Bagel for two years. He also attended New HorizonЃfs work training program where he focused on sharpening his job skills, and he helped train other consumers on how to fill out job applications.

Jose sees his main role as helping NLACRC consumers to develop confidence in becoming self advocates. He does this by participating in consumer trainings at the Family Focus Resource Center where different topics are covered each month. He conducts trainings for staff as well. He visits day programs to make sure that the consumerЃfs needs are being met, and attends Area Board 10 meetings and special trainings to gain more knowledge about issues that may be of importance to consumers.

Jose Rodriguez

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The question I hear most often from family members or consumers is about how to find a job," says Jose. As a regional center consumer, he is able to share his own personal experience with others, and has collected many valuable resources such as job guides, and job-related information that can assist consumers to prepare for finding employment.

What does Jose enjoy the most about being NLACRC'ss consumer advocate?

"I like being able to help people. I tell them about their rights and responsibilities and remind them that they have the right to be respected but we also must respect others. It feels good helping people. I love my job," he says.

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