December 2025 Newsletter
ED-itorial Notes đź’
This year has asked many of us to practice a quiet but powerful skill: holding two things at once. Joy and grief. Fear and strength. Hope alongside uncertainty.
The end of the year is often a time for reflection and celebration, but as we look back on a year that began with the Eaton fire and included many worrying moments for members of our community, it can feel hard to settle fully into joy. And still, alongside that heaviness, there has been growth.
We learned. We stretched. We met ourselves at our growing edges, a place that is rarely comfortable. From toddlers in our early intervention programs, to teens preparing for what comes next, to our staff expanding their skills and roles, we saw again and again that learning and becoming are not easy processes. And yet, they carry possibility. There is hope in discovering that we can hold more, learn more, and continue moving forward together.
Below, you’ll find some of the moments that have brought us joy this season. We took time to recognize staff whose care and dedication stand out every day, celebrated the creativity of our teens at our annual art show, and welcomed a new board member who will help us continue to grow as a learning community. Even in a complex year, these moments remind us why this work matters and how much is possible when we build it together.
This year’s Teen Art Show was a shining celebration of creativity, talent, and community, truly Art with Heart. Our teens showcased a stunning variety of work, from pastels and pencil drawings to acrylic paintings and clay sculptures, with each piece reflecting their unique perspectives and personalities. From bold paintings to intricate clay sculptures, every work told a story, and every teen walked away proud of what they had created.
We are especially grateful to the Hench Foundation for providing the grant funding that made this event possible, and to Coloured Art Studio for partnering with us to teach our teens new methods and outlets for creative expression. Their support created an environment where our teens could explore, experiment, and grow in confidence, independence, and self expression.
A special highlight of the show was the neon art exhibit, led by Sweet B Creations, which brought a vibrant, glowing energy to the gallery and delighted all who attended. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the artistry, growth, and creativity of our teens. You truly helped bring this special experience to life.
At our December all-staff meeting, we took time to celebrate the incredible dedication, growth, and impact of the PCDA team. It was a meaningful moment to reflect on the ways our staff live our mission each day through compassionate, collaborative, and relationship-centered care.
We were proud to recognize our 2025 PCDA Staff Award recipients:
Community Care Award
Juliet McNeil-Okimoto
Connection in Action Award
Emma Brown
Community Impact Award
Natalie Aguirre
Collaborative Excellence Award
Preetha Sundareswaran
These awards were nominated and voted on by colleagues, making them a true reflection of the respect and appreciation shared across our team. Each honoree embodies the strengths-based values that guide PCDA’s work and shape the care we provide to families.
Because of Juliet, Emma, Natalie, Preetha, and every member of the PCDA team, our community is stronger and we continue to deliver thoughtful, high-quality support to the children, young people, and families we serve. We are grateful for the collective commitment and care that make this work possible.
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Joy Malik-Hasbrook, PsyD (she/her) to the PCDA Board of Directors. Dr. Joy is a licensed pediatric clinical psychologist who specializes in neurodiversity-affirming assessments for children and adolescents, with a deep commitment to developmental, relational, and strengths-based care.
In her clinical work, Dr. Joy integrates current neuroscience to support nervous system regulation, build resiliency, and provide meaningful parenting and family support for neurodiverse families. She also presents to schools and organizations on regulation-based parenting approaches and is the author of A Kids Book About Nervous System Regulation. In addition to her private practice, Dr. Joy brings years of nonprofit leadership experience, including training and supervising mental health trainees.
Dr. Joy identifies as biracial, South Asian Indian and white, and is deeply committed to anti-oppressive practices. She consistently recognizes the unique gifts that exist within neurodivergent minds, while also advocating for equitable access to affirming, respectful care for every family.
We are honored that Dr. Joy has chosen to support PCDA, and we are grateful for the perspective, expertise, and values she brings to our leadership. Her dedication to relational, affirming care aligns closely with PCDA’s mission, and we look forward to the impact of her partnership as we continue building a community rooted in connection, belonging, and possibility.
PAC Learning Series
Please join us for our Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Learning Series, a set of expert-led sessions designed to help families navigate important topics in supporting neurodiverse children. These free, virtual sessions held over Zoom are open to all PCDA families and anyone interested in learning more! Each session will feature a specialist sharing practical guidance and answering your questions.
The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a board-level group comprised of parents and caregivers of PCDA alumni and current clients. The PAC plays a vital role in providing input and feedback on program expansion, policies, plans, and activities. By sharing their experiences and perspectives, PAC members help shape the future of PCDA to better meet the needs of our community. This Learning Series is one way PAC brings its knowledge and perspective directly to families.
Upcoming sessions:
Jan 8, 12:00 PM: Planning Ahead: Special Needs Trusts – Led by Joseph Lee
đź“… Zoom link
We look forward to learning and growing together in community with you!
Sharing The Heart of PCDA
At PCDA, we believe every family’s story has the power to teach, inspire, and help others feel less alone. The ways you have grown, connected, and discovered strengths through your journey matter deeply, to us and to the broader community we serve.
This story invitation is part of The Heart of PCDA, our storytelling campaign that highlights the families, staff, and community members who embody our mission. Through these stories, we shine a light on the impact of relationship-based care, showing how growth, connection, and community come to life across our programs. Stories may be shared through email, social media, and events to deepen awareness and celebrate the many ways families and young people thrive at PCDA.
If you choose to participate, a member of our team will guide you through a few simple questions, and you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable. Stories can be shared in writing, by phone, or through conversation. We will create a short draft using your own words and quotes, and you will have the opportunity to review and approve everything before it is shared. You may also choose how your name, pronouns, or photos are used, or remain anonymous.
By sharing your experience, you help us show the heart of PCDA, the relationships that make growth possible and the many ways families and young people build community here.
Interested in sharing your story? Click the link below or reach out to Development Manager Kristine Seranio. We are honored to walk alongside you and grateful for the chance to celebrate your journey.
As 2025 comes to a close, we reflect on the growth, connection, and resilience of the children, teens, and families we serve. Every day, our programs help young people with developmental differences thrive—building skills, confidence, and belonging—and none of this would be possible without the generosity of supporters like you.
Your year-end gift goes directly to PCDA programs, providing essential resources, therapeutic services, and opportunities that foster inclusion, creativity, and growth for every child and family in our community.
With your support, we can continue delivering high-quality, personalized programs that make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, teens, and young adults with developmental differences. Every donation, at any level, strengthens our community and ensures more families can access the care, guidance, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Thank you for being part of our community and helping us create a world where every child and family is seen, supported, and celebrated!
Click the virtual event to access the Zoom link.
For information about our events, please contact development@pcdateam.org.
The holiday season is a time for giving, connection, and community—and at PCDA, we know that building a true village takes all of us. Every act of support, whether big or small, is a way of saying, “I see you, I care, and I’m here with you.”
From monetary gifts to supplies, your generosity strengthens our programs, expands belonging, and supports neurodiverse children and families as they grow, learn, and thrive. A gift of any size—from $10 to $10,000—directly fuels services that nurture skills, independence, and confidence. And gifts in kind, like art materials, sensory tools, or classroom supplies, provide hands-on resources that help our youth stay engaged and inspired. Check out our Wish List to see what’s needed most right now.
This season, as you reflect on what matters most, consider joining our village. Together, we can create a community where every child and family feels included, empowered, and celebrated. Your support makes that possible—thank you for showing up with us.