June 2026 Newsletter
There is a post-it note on my desk this month. It has been there for a few weeks now, and I keep finding myself glancing at it between meetings, letting it sit with me.
"Through others, we become ourselves." — Lev Vygotsky
Vygotsky was a psychologist who spent his career studying how human beings learn and grow. His most well-known idea, the Zone of Proximal Development, describes the space between what a learner can do on their own and what becomes possible with the right guidance and support. That space can feel a bit fragile, even a little frightening. The right support helps you feel safe enough to stay in it. Some people call it the growing edge, and I first heard it called that by someone else, which feels entirely fitting.
This past week I sat at my desk in finance meetings and board meetings, in clinical mentorship sessions and telehealth calls. Very different virtual rooms, very different conversations, and in each one I found myself glancing back at that post-it.
Vygotsky's work was built around children, but the idea applies to us all. We don't develop and then connect with others. We develop through connecting with others. The teenager in our teen club, figuring out who they are and where they belong, needs others. The clinician sitting with a hard case needs others. The organization trying to figure out how to do this work well, within real constraints, needs others too.
PCDA is becoming, continually shaped by the families, young people, staff, and communities we work with and for. It means sitting with hard questions about what our programs can truly hold, and feeling real loss when the answer is not what we hoped. It means asking honestly whether we are centering the full range of human experience, and holding financial realities alongside mission goals, trusting that together we will find our way.
The Zone of Proximal Development isn't about overcoming reluctance or asking for help when we finally have to. It is simply how growth works. For the seven year old and the seventeen year old. For the clinician and the executive director. For the organization itself. We do not become in isolation. We become in relationship, in the discomfort of not yet knowing, held by others who stay in it with us.
We are grateful to be becoming alongside all of you, and grateful that you stay in it with us.
Annual Summer Talent Show Recap
On June 1, PCDA proudly hosted our Annual Summer Talent Show, a cherished tradition that celebrates the creativity, confidence, and unique talents of our clients. Families, friends, staff, and community members gathered to enjoy an inspiring afternoon filled with music, movement, art, and self-expression. This event was generously supported by Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts and Pasadena Community Foundation.
This year’s performances featured performances of some of our favorite songs, including “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters, energetic dance routines, art presentations, and original short film screenings. Whether stepping onto the stage for the first time or returning as a seasoned performer, each participant brought something special to the celebration.
We are incredibly proud of all of our performers for sharing their talents and passions with our community and grateful to everyone who joined us in cheering them on. The Talent Show is one of our favorite traditions each year, offering a chance to celebrate the many ways our clients shine and connect with one another through creativity and self-expression.
We're delighted to share a few highlights from this year's event. Check out some memorable moments from the show below!
PCDA is grateful to receive a generous grant from Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts in support of our Creative Arts Program. This funding helps create meaningful opportunities for children, teens, and young adults to explore self-expression, build confidence, and connect with others through the arts.
Support like this makes beloved community events such as our Annual Talent Show possible, giving participants a chance to share their unique talents and celebrate their accomplishments with family, friends, and the broader community. It also helps sustain year-round creative experiences that foster growth, joy, and belonging.
We are deeply thankful to Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts for investing in the creativity and potential of the young people we serve. Their partnership helps ensure that every participant has opportunities to discover their strengths, share their voice, and shine.
Sam H. has been a Developmental Interventionist here at PCDA since 2025.
When I think about my work at PCDA, I keep coming back to one simple idea: young people want to feel seen and heard for who they truly are.
I have always felt drawn to working with youth. Over time, I have come to see how often kids and teens are misunderstood or confined by expectations placed on them by the world around them. PCDA’s approach stood out to me because it offered the chance to connect with children in a real, unscripted way where they could express themselves freely and know someone was truly paying attention. We meet kids where they are, building trust through presence, patience, and curiosity. I also bring my own experiences as an older brother and a loyal friend into this space, which has deepened the relationships that I’ve been able to build within the programs.
Over time, I have come to really appreciate the honesty I see in the children and teens I work with. Kids can tell when someone is genuinely engaged with them, and when they feel that kind of attention, they open up. One moment that has stayed with me is when a teen excitedly shared a song they had helped compose and asked me to listen. After playing it, they asked if I could write down some tips for improving it. That request meant a lot to me. It reflected the trust we had built and the confidence they felt in sharing something so personal.
Moments like this are part of a larger pattern that I’m lucky to see every day. In the teen program especially, I have noticed more spontaneity in conversations, more humor, and more creativity as young people settle into the group and begin to feel safe being themselves.
For me, belonging at PCDA means having the freedom to express yourself and knowing that your voice is valued. It means being part of conversations where young people feel genuinely heard and respected. I often come back to something that this work has taught me. Kids know when someone is truly taking an interest in them, and when that happens, they respond with trust, openness, and a stronger sense of confidence in who they are. Supporting those moments is at the heart of the work we do here at PCDA.
The Heart of PCDA is a space for our community to share reflections on their journey with our programs. PCDA’s mission comes to life through the experiences of our community. We would love for you to tell us about a meaningful breakthrough in therapy, a special family tradition supported by PCDA, or the ways your child has grown in confidence, independence, or communication.
Teenage years are a time of growing independence, new experiences, and deeper social connections. At PCDA, Teen Club provides a welcoming space where neurodiverse teens can build meaningful friendships, develop important life skills, and gain confidence as they prepare for adulthood.
Designed for teens ages 13–18, Teen Club combines socialization, self-advocacy, community engagement, and practical life skills in a supportive, relationship-based environment. Through themed discussions, collaborative activities, and community outings, participants explore communication, emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and self-advocacy while practicing independence in real-world settings.
Meeting twice each week, Teen Club offers more than skill-building by creating a sense of belonging. Through shared experiences, laughter, and mutual support, participants strengthen their confidence, discover their unique strengths, and build connections that help them thrive both now and in the future.
Our Circle of Care monthly giving program provides reliable, ongoing support that helps sustain PCDA’s services year-round. Recurring gifts of any size create opportunities for children, teens, and young adults to access the relationships, programs, and experiences that foster growth, connection, and belonging.
Circle of Care members help strengthen a community that includes not only the clients and families we serve, but also the dedicated developmental interventionists, therapists, and staff who walk alongside them every day. Stories like Sam’s remind us that meaningful relationships are at the heart of our work. Through their continued generosity, Circle of Care members help ensure that our team can remain focused on supporting each individual’s unique journey while building a stronger, more connected community for all.
To learn more about becoming a Circle of Care supporter, please contact our Development team at development@pcdateam.org.
Join Our Village
As summer unfolds at PCDA, we’re celebrating the many ways our clients, families, and community come together to build meaningful connections. From new friendships to opportunities for growth, creativity, and belonging, this season is filled with moments that strengthen our community.
These experiences are made possible through the generosity of supporters like you. Whether through a one-time gift, monthly contribution, or purchase from our Wish List, your support helps create the welcoming, inclusive spaces where children, teens, and young adults can thrive.
Thank you for being an important part of the community that makes connection and belonging possible every day.