August 4, 2023.

I reflect and remember, with Johnny, upon this long journey out of darkness. Without Cheerful Helpers, this day --and Johnny's flourishing with friends and with Jenny might never have
happened, probably would not have happened.  I will always remember UCLA's response upon his diagnosis when he was 3: they hoped he would be able to live independently, they hoped he would go to college, but he would probably not have many - if any - friends, and probably would never marry.  If he had continued at UCLA’s then Neuropsychiatric Institute and on their track, their prognosis was most likely right. Johnny observed to me the other day  that their prognosis is true of most of the peers he knows with autism who did not have the good
fortune of Cheerful Helpers. Which is a very sad thing. Johnny is now in Portland, Oregon with his wife Jenny, starting graduate school in social work.

We owe Cheerful Helpers everything. I hope you will always hold in your hearts the truth and memory that you gave a little boy his mental and emotional life,,,,,, his future ...and perhaps above all - his treasuring of relationships.

We are so very very fortunate.

The beginning of the year is filled with opportunity. We are excited to begin the school year with nine children; eight of whom are returning from last year. Currently we have four children in 1st grade, three children in kindergarten and two students in preschool.

We already have plans to grow our school and we will welcome three new families in the next few weeks.

The cornerstone of our school program is our parent group. This year the group will continue under our Clinical Director, Jaclyn Zeccola. She will be supported by two of our seasoned trainees: Denise Duval and Emily Glickman.

Our first BEIG group of the school year starts September 18th and we are excited to welcome two new families who will join a returning family on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. 

Social Skills groups are beginning as  are our Speech, OT and play therapies. Speech services are held by Alyssa Fye and Christina Mojica and our OT specialist is Etta Innaconne. We are thrilled to have these talented clinicians returning this year!

This is such an exciting time as we look ahead to a year of growth. It is an incredible privilege to watch our students and families make connections, learn together and find their strengths.

Friday, October 13th from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. We will be holding a Cheerful Helpers Open House. Come and learn about our relationship based programs.

Our clinical team along with alumni parents will be available to share and answer your program questions.

This month we join Etta Iannaccone, our fabulous Cheerful Helpers’ Occupational Therapist, for a picnic lunch at Children’s Ranch. We ask Etta what’s in her lunch box from an OT’s perspective including fun snacks she eats like pistachios and lupini beans. Watch as she shares what her favorite lunch box item is  - plot twist it’s a spoon!