June 2025 Newsletter
✨ ED-i-torial Notes✨
New month, new thoughts—get the inside scoop from our Executive Director in this just-launched section.
Let’s be honest. These days, standing up for inclusion can feel complicated. I’ve sat in more than one meeting where I’ve been encouraged to change how I talk about our work, but not actually what we’re doing. It’s a strange thing, to be told to keep going, but to say it differently or soften the message so it feels more comfortable.
As clinicians, we often adjust how we present our work to align with funding requirements. That’s part of navigating systems. And when it helps families access care, that’s a part of the job we can accept. But when we’re asked to water down the very heart of our mission—the people we serve, the identities we celebrate, the reason PCDA exists—that’s asking me to pretend the heart of our mission is negotiable. It’s not.
At PCDA, we have the privilege of working with an incredibly vibrant and beautifully diverse community. When we are committed to preparing our clients for a future where they are empowered, fulfilled, and truly feel they belong, we’re also committed to building that kind of community right now. That means recognizing individual differences not as something to work around, but as something to honor, learn from, and celebrate.
We don’t get there by asking people to fit into narrow boxes. We get there by celebrating individuality, embracing disability, honoring cultural roots, and welcoming every unique identity and perspective that walks through our doors. That’s the work, and we know it’s ongoing, imperfect, and deeply worth doing.
I hope you’ll join us for our Celebration of Creativity and Inclusion Talent Show on June 14, 2025. It’s a chance to witness the brilliance and creativity of our community, and to stand together for inclusion, visibility, and joy.
Happy Pride,
Julie
Our Talent Show is Almost Here! 🎉
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating the incredible talents of our clients, presented by PCDA’s Creative Arts Program & Parent Advisory Committee!
From original musicals to magic tricks, art, singing, and even state trivia—our performers are ready to shine at A Celebration of Creativity and Inclusion Talent Show on Sat, June 14!
📅 June 14 | 4:00 p.m. (FREE to attend!)
📍 790 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101
Help us make this year's event the biggest yet—don’t miss your chance to be inspired! 💖🎶
Celebrating Pride, Every Day 🌈
At PCDA, Pride Month is more than a calendar event—it’s a time to reflect on the joy, strength, and brilliance that diversity brings to our community.
We are proud to serve families with beautifully varied identities, cultures, and perspectives. For many of our clients and their loved ones, Pride is not just about visibility—it's about knowing you're supported and embraced, exactly as you are. That sense of belonging is something we strive to nurture every day, through the relationships we build and the care we provide.
We know that developmental progress doesn’t happen in isolation. It thrives in environments where people feel safe, respected, and connected. Pride Month gives us a powerful opportunity to celebrate that truth—and to recommit to creating spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.
This month, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the LGBTQ+ members of our community and standing together in joy, inclusion, and love.
Happy Pride from all of us at PCDA! 💛
On Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, PCDA was proud to be part of the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games at Cal State Long Beach! The event brought together an incredible community of athletes, families, friends, and supporters—and we were thrilled to be right in the heart of it all.
Our PCDA booth was full of life, offering colorful arts & crafts, a friendly game of cornhole, and plenty of flyers and fact sheets to share our mission. We were excited to welcome so many visitors who stopped by to create, play, and connect. Even more special? A few current and former PCDA clients dropped in to say hello, showing us just how deep our relationships go.
We’re incredibly grateful to the dedicated staff and volunteers who spent the entire weekend at our booth—greeting guests, facilitating crafts, answering questions, and making every person feel welcomed. Their warmth and enthusiasm created a space that truly reflected PCDA’s values: connection, inclusion, and strength-based care.
Every smile, high five, and heartfelt conversation reminded us why our work matters. At PCDA, we believe in building a future where all children and young adults with developmental disabilities are empowered, fulfilled, and deeply supported. Events like this remind us that we're not alone—there’s a whole community ready to stand with us.
If you believe in this vision, we invite you to take the next step. Your support—through a donation, volunteering, or sharing our story—helps us serve hundreds of families across Los Angeles County and beyond.
Let’s keep the momentum going—donate today and help us build a community where every individual belongs. ☀️
Join Our Parent Advisory Committee!
Are you a parent or caregiver of a current or former PCDA client? We warmly invite you to join our Parent Advisory Committee!
The committee’s focus is on building community—bringing parents together to share experiences, support one another, and plan activities that strengthen our PCDA family. It’s a space to connect, collaborate, and help shape the future of our programs in ways that matter most to families.
We meet monthly on Tuesday evenings via Zoom, and we welcome all parents who want to be part of this growing, supportive network.
Interested? Email us at development@pcdateam.org to learn more or sign up.
Together, we’re stronger. 💛
Virtual Coffee Corner ☕
Next hangout: August 1 @ 9am
Add this to your calendar!
Join me—Kristine, your Development Manager—every First Friday of the month from 9:00–9:30 AM for a casual virtual hangout!
Please note: There will be no hangout in July due to the Independence Day holiday.