Saving Lives, Changing Lives and Building Hope for Children and Families in Family-Like Settings October 2008

A New BeginningFor Melody, Wally, Hailey, Bradley and Savannah

Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services completed our first adoption in February 2008. Whatcould be better than that you might ask? Ettie Lee completed their second adoption onAugust 18…That’s when Esmerelda Mendoza and Alvaro Salazar formally adopted

Michael. Michael has been with the couple since he was a few days old.There’s more! Ettie Lee completed three more adoptions on Friday August 22. Melody

2, Wally 3 and Hailey 6–all siblings were adopted by three of our foster families. Hailey wasadopted by Maria Lara. Hailey has been in Maria’s home for a year. Wally was adopted byAdrianna and Mauro Pino who took him in as a foster child two years ago. Melody wasadopted by Ettie Lee foster parents Blanca and Isidro Espadas. Melody has been with herfamily since birth.

What? More? On the same day that Melody, Wally and Hailey were adopted, their twoolder siblings Bradley and Savannah were also adopted by Irene Velazquez a foster/adopt momoutside of Ettie Lee.

What makes this a most unique situation are the positive relationships that were formedbetween ALL of the adoptive parents—including the “outside” family. Every month ALL ofthe families get together. Although they will not see each other every day, they will see eachother throughout the year because the parents know how important it is for all of the siblingsto have each other.

And, Saundra Johnson, our foster family/adoption agency director, reported that in thenext couple of months, she hopes to have finalized five more adoptions!

Remember Ettie Lee Youth & FamilyServices when you designate your

United Way gift.

B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s

Ronald J. Bateman, Chairman

Joyce C. Wing, Secretary

James Jay Smith, Treasurer

Walter Allen III

Jack Caswell

Grant W. Christensen

Brandon V. Cuccia, DDS

Pat Giles

Ronald A. Knight

Leora Marcheschi

Carmen Perry

President & CEOClayton L. Downey

ETTIE LEE YOUTH & FAMILY Servicesprovides the following servicesfor abused, abandoned andneglected children:•Nurturing, loving environments,

for boys 8-17, in 9 group homes•Adoption Agency•A network of more than 35 loving

foster families•Permanent placement for boys

and girls of all ages•Fully accredited substance abuse

treatment•Outpatient after-school mental

health programs•Evidence-based treatment program

Bottom: Ettie Lee Foster/Adopt moms and children, (l to r) Blanca Espadas and Melody (2),Adrianna Pino and Wally (3) and Maria Lara and Hailey (6). Top: Outside Foster/Adopt momIrene Velazquez with older siblings Bradley (8) and Savannah (7).

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Kingsport Advisors is proud to be working with Ettie Lee Youth and Family Serviceson a new fundraising program. This program provides a way for donors and friendsof Ettie Lee to turn their insurability into an asset. This program can provide those

who participate with the ability to make some money for their families and also to leavea large gift to Ettie Lee without taking any money out of their pockets.

If insurable, a donor can apply for an insurance policy that will be fully financed withno out of pocket cost. All or a portion of the death benefit of this policy can be pledged toEttie Lee upon the death of the insured, or if the insured finds that he no longer wants the

policy after holding it fortwo years, it may beshopped around to ag r ow ing s e c ond a r ymarket that will purchasethe policy for an amountgreater than the cost of

financing. The excess amount can then be given in whole or in part to Ettie Lee to providefor needed services today and the growth of an endowment for tomorrow. In addition thereare some tax benefits that might prove important to you through this program.

If you are between the ages of 70 and 85 and in relatively good health, you mightwant to look into this opportunity to benefit you, your family and Ettie Lee Youth andFamily Services.

Please call Vicki Mastro at 626-960-4861 today to schedule a no obligationappointment to review if this program is applicable to you. The children and staff of EttieLee appreciate your support and look forward to your investigating this outstandingprogram.

Ettie Lee’s Fireside www.ettielee.org 2

From the President’s Desk

On October22, 2008 theOak Knolls

home in Azusawill formallybecome the LindaBrandes Home.We are in thefinal planningstages of theformal dedication

ceremony. The board of directors ofEttie Lee will host dignitaries from thesurrounding city, county and stategovernments, local businesses andagencies as well as donors, VIP’s andthe press. All gathered will celebratelong time donor Linda Brandes.

Linda Brandes has been a friend ofEttie Lee Youth & Family Servicessince 1996. She has been generouswith her resources and has realized firsthand that she can make a significantdifference in the lives of the vulnerablechildren that Ettie Lee serves.

Several years ago Linda came toour rescue when she generously gavehalf of the funds needed to fullyupdate Ettie Lee’s technology needs.Other grantors then quickly followed,noting that half of the multi-thousanddollars of funding that was needed hadalready been received.

In 2006 Linda’s generosity allowedus to carry out the long overdue, andvery expensive, capital improvementsat our nine homes. We were able toinstall new windows and flooring,purchase and install commercialstoves, water heaters, pool covers,tables and benches. We painted homeexteriors, landscaped and repairedbroken sidewalks and driveways aswell as replaced furnishings.

And most recently, in 2007 Lindacontinued to demonstrate hercommitment to Ettie Lee as herphilanthropy reaches $1,000,000.00.

The home has been called Oak Knollsbecause of the many oak trees that surroundthe property. The home, built in the1920’s, was the estate of a prominentdoctor and his wife Helen Ovard. Uponher death many years ago, Mrs. Ovarddonated the property to Ettie Lee. It is ouronly 2-story building that is home toeleven boys. Although the home has beenadapted for our residents, it still has someof the fancy architectural details such asthe two turret rooms.

An Opportunity For You

Clayton Downey

Tobi Nishikawa has been working at Ettie Lee for oversix years serving as our Lead Intake Social Worker.What is an Intake Social Worker, you ask? Tobiexplains it this way.

Ettie Lee has a unique intake program. Unlikesimilar organizations, Ettie Lee employs licensedtherapists as intake social workers, which makes theplacement process more efficient. Tobi explained thathaving a therapist works as an advantage for prospectiveresidents because they know the appropriate factors tolook for when placing a resident into one of our homes.These factors include gang affiliation; behavior (timid,aggressive etc.), age and ethnicity which help determine

which group home is best suited for the boy.As the lead intake social worker, Tobi wears many hats. She is a therapist, an

organizer, a screener, an evaluator and a publicist. Tobi works hard to keep our bedsfull at our nine group homes. She frequently acts as a spokesperson for Ettie Leewhen she meets with probation officials, officers and the Department of Child andFamily Services. She has to be ready at a moments notice when she is called toevaluate potential residents from all over the four counties we serve. Her success ismade possible in part by the others in the intake department which include AlvaStewart, Intake Social Worker and Cindy Thatcher, Intake Coordinator.

Tobi Nishikawa

425 Huehl Road, Bldg. 6BNorthbrook, Il. 60062866-677-8823 X72www.kingsportadvisors.com

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3 www.ettielee.org Ettie Lee’s Fireside

Everyone should have a will! However 6 out of 10 people do not. Making a provisionin your will for our organization is a simple process. Such bequests can be includedin your will as its creation or added and updated later by a codicil.When making a bequest, it is important to name precisely the individuals and

organizations you intend to benefit. By avoiding generalities such as a common namefor an organization, you avoid confusion or possible litigation and ensure that yourdonation reached its intended beneficiary.

While not necessary, it is helpful to make us aware that we are being named in yourwill. This way you can be sure your bequest will be executed in the manner youintended. In addition, Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services would like to recognize donorswho have named us in their wills. Furthermore, public recognition of your generositycan inspire others to consider supporting Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services.

There are two different ways to make gifts to us through your will, with varying taxbenefits. The simplest and most popular approach is an outright bequest. Below is thewording you can use when writing a charitable bequest to us:

“I, (name), of (city, state, zip), give, devise and bequeath to Ettie Lee Youth &Family Services, 5146 N. Maine Ave., Baldwin Park, CA 91706, (written amountor percentage of he estate or description of property) for its unrestricted use andpurpose.”We would be happy to consult with you on your particular needs, questions or

concerns. Please feel free to contact the Development Office at 626-960-4861, Ext.3111 at your convenience and at no obligation to you.

How Do I Write a Bequestto Ettie Lee?

Household itemsThrow rugs for bedroomsLight switch covers for bedroomsPictures for bathroom wallsShower matsBlankets for twin bedsAlarm clocksBooks for boys age 8-17Pillows and Pillow protectorsGift cards for book storesCouchesBoard GamesPool sticks

Personal ItemsWall posters for bedroomsWhite towels and wash clothsBeach TowelsSun BlockHygiene suppliesSuper Cuts gift certificatesBackpacksPrepaid phone cards

Hand held electronic gamesCD playersGrey undershirts (all sizes)Gift cards to clothes and shoe stores

Outdoor ActivititesSports equipment (excludingbaseball bats)Karate, Music or Art LessonsPing Pong Tables

Fun Things To DoArt suppliesMovie theater passes

• • • • • • • • • • • •

This is just a partial list! If you have

an idea but don’t know if we could

use it, please call Vicki Mastro

626-960-4861.

Thanks so much.

Wish List(new or gent ly used i tems are accepted)

October2008:Oct07 10/9/08 6:39 PM Page 3

Ettie Lee’s Fireside www.ettielee.org 4

$25,000 & overThe Eisner Foundation

$10,000 & overFriends of Foster ChildrenHenry L. Guenther FoundationJ.B. and Emily Van Nuys CharitiesMrs. Eva Madsen Kelly

$5,000 & overAdamma FoundationWalter S. Johnson FoundationNorthrop Grumman CorporationUnited Way of Greater Los Angeles

$1,000 & overMr. & Mrs. Ronald J. BatemanMr. & Mrs. Clayton L. DowneyElks of Los Angeles FoundationL.A. Department of Water & Power E.A.Metropolitan Water DistrictSidney Stern Memorial Trust

$500 - $999Calvary Open Door MinistriesMr. & Mrs. John GieselmanMrs. Leora MarcheschiSouthern California Edison

$100 - $499Mr. William C. AndersonAnonymousMr. & Mrs. Rand BakerMrs. Barbara BarberMr. & Mrs. David BattLee Bennion & Ada UdallMr. & Mrs. Dean BinksMr. Sergio CastilloDan Marsh InsuranceMs. Anita L. GregoryMr. & Mrs. Herbert L. HargerLeRoy Haynes Center for ChildrenMr. Andrew LevanderMs. Vicki MastroMr. & Mrs. Emerson MillerMr. & Mrs. Ralph MuhlsteinMr. & Mrs. Harry T. NakataMr. Peter PetsasMrs. Carol Joan PikeMr. & Mrs. Lynn ReederMr. & Mrs. Philip N. RicheyMrs. Valerie RothMr. & Mrs. Damon P. SantosSmith & Bonds Accountancy Corp.Mrs. Kathryn Stannard

Ms. Denise TamuraDr. Afton C. TaylorMrs. Terri VarnumMr. & Mrs. Rodney L. WebberMrs. Joyce WingSusan & Stephen Wittmer

Under $100Mrs. Jenny ArmasMs. Melissa BakerMs. MaryBeth BarronMs. Paula BasquezMr. Jack E. BellMs. Tyshea BellMr. Anthony BiandinoMr. & Mrs. Francis BoykinMs. Latonya BrownDr. & Mrs. Edgar R. BurkhartMr. John B. CahillMr. John CantlayMrs. Isabel CarrMr. Albert CarterMs. Janet L. ChanMs. Kalene ChaseMs. Rosalisa ChavezMs. K. Michelle ChiapponeMr. & Mrs. Paul R. ChristiansenMs. Nancy ClanceyMs. Elisa CliffordMr. Johnnie CordovaMr. Icchabod Z. CraneMrs. Wilma CumberlandMs. Dena DarwishMs. Goretti DaSilvaMs. Marilyn DevorMr. Michael DonahooMr. Robert EdwardsMr. Martin ElfalanMr. Jeff FigueroaMs. Jerry FrazierMr. Jerome FreemanMs. Jenny K. GeeMs. Patricia GendronCaptain Clayton S. GilmoreMs. S. Elizabeth GramlingMs. Sarah HarmanMs. Louise HouptMs. Remitha HoustonMr. Jack H. HughesMs. Dianne JacobMs. Yvonne JohnsonMs. Dooneya KaoudMs. Monica KincadeMrs. Linda KleinMr. Reed Klein

Ms. Samantha A. KurelkoMs. Sarah LaiMs. Deborah LauxMr. Landon LeongMr. Thomas LeppoldMs. Elizabeth Ann LockhartMs. Jennifer LopezMs. Siomara LopezMs. Annette MalkinMs. Sandra MarshallMs. Parisha MartinMs. Andrea MartinezMrs. Joyce MastroMs. Donna MatherlyMs. Isis McDonaldMs. Meredith MendittoMs. LaRhonda MillerMs. Maureen MiyaharaMr. David MokMr. Michael MooreMs. Ermalinda MunozMs. DeShila MurphyMrs. Mary R. MursetMs. Leah M. NelsonMr. Chanh D. NguyenMs. Thanh NguyenMs. Amanda O’ BrienMr. Gregg S. OharaMr. Christian OjomoMr. Kerchavel PattersonMs. Margaret K. PenningtonMs. Tiffany PiascikMr. Robert V. PriesterMs. Hydeh RaeenMr. James RamirezDr. C. Elliot RichardsMs. Moana RichardsonMs. Charlotte RiggsMs. Theresa RiveraMr. Glenn RodriguezMr. Jonathan RomeroMs. Betty RosenboroughMs. Linda RoyerMr. & Mrs. William SaoMs. Kimi ShibataMs. Joanne M. ShohoMs. Lisa K. TanakaMr. J. Lewis TaylorMs. Erica ThomasMr. John TignerMs. Paula ToddMrs. Kimngan TranMs. Linda TroxellMs. Carol TulaMs. Yvonne Velasco

Honor Roll of Donors

gratefully acknowledges all our donors.If your name is inadvertently missing ormisspelled, please call Vicki Mastro at626-960-4861 so that we can make acorrection in our next newsletter.

Ms. Ingrid VernonMs. Kathleen WallaceMs. Susan WhitingMr. David WibertMr. Sean WilliamsMr. Wendell WilliamsMr. & Mrs. Boyd E. WinnJ & T WolfMs. Elizabeth WoodburyMs. Mitzi F. YamashitaMs. Vernette YorkMr. Dean M. Yoshitani

Gifts In KindAltadena Community ChurchBed Bath & BeyondMr. Bob BenbowBienvenidos Children’ s CenterMr. Clifford BreshearsMs. B. Marlene BriggsMs. Kay BuieMs. Karen CashChapman & Associates FoundationColdwell BankerDignity U WearFriends of Foster ChildrenDr. Rod C. Gaeta & Mr. Glenn Ingerick& Family

Mr. & Mrs. Vernon GilesMs. Judith HarperMr. & Mrs. Robert E. HudnallIrwindale SpeedwayL.A. AvengersL.A. Family HousingMr. Paul LordMarie, Inc.Ms. Jodinne NguyenMr. & Mrs. Art RamirezMr. Mathew RutherfordSports ChaletTargetThe Alliance for Children’s RightsThe Cheesecake FactoryThe Sofa CompanyMr. Joel TorrezMr. Chris VillaMrs. Joyce C. Wing

April 2008 - September 2008

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5 www.ettielee.org Ettie Lee’s Fireside

E v e r y P i c t u r e T e l l s A S t o r y

From left to right: Clayton Downey, Ettie LeePresident/CEO, JoAnn Lockett, Home SponsorChairwoman and Carmen Perry, Ettie Lee BoardMember at CUW’s Spring Luncheon

Target volunteers prepped and painted threebedrooms in our John Eccles home in Baldwin Park.Paul Sledd led the group.

Target, Rosemead donated school supplies this year.This was coordinated by Paul Sledd, HumanResources Team Leader, pictutred on the right andaccepted by Vicki Mastro (in white shirt).

Matthew Rutherford from Boy Scout Troop 644delivered 10 quilts recently. In the background isEttie Lee President/CEO Clayton Downey. Ettie Leetries to give a handmade quilt to each boy leavingour care.

An army of Big Sunday volunteers spent the daysprucing up our Oak Knolls home in Azusa. Thegroup activity was spearheaded by Sandy Cobos andthe Big Sunday organization.

Linda Brandes, Ettie Lee major donor is honoredby (from left) Board Chair Ron Bateman, ClaytonDowney, President/CEO and Board Member WaltAllen. Recently the group visited Linda at her RanchoSanta Fe home.

Over the summer boys from our Oak Knolls Home inAzusa enjoyed some time at Raging Waters in SanDimas. Each and every month, Friends of FosterChildren fills needs such as community outings, videogames, board games, books, athletic equipment,cameras, clothing, art supplies as well as somemedical expenses and home furnishings. During theChristmas Holidays they fulfill the three wishes ofeach of our group home residents.

Welcome, Sarah Caperton, volunteer extraordinaire.Sarah has been assisting at the Maine office as wellas our Foster Family/Adoption Agency in Covina. Letus know if you or someone you might know wants tovolunteer.

Students, led by Ashley Hemphill, from IntercoastCollege in West Covina brought school supplies andnew clothes for our foster kids. They will also begetting involved with us more as we approach theholiday season.

May 2008

May 2008

September 2008

June 2008

August 2008

July 2008

April 2008

September 2008

September 2008

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There’s an Ettie Lee Home near you: Azusa • Bloomington • Baldwin ParkFontana (2) • North Hollywood • Redlands • San Jacinto • Santa Ana Non-Profit Organization

U.S. PostagePAID

Permit No. 57Covina, CA

5146 North Maine StreetP. O. Box 339

Baldwin Park, CA 91706-0339Support Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services–place abumper sticker just like this on your car…Contact

James and he’ll send one (or more!) to you…626-960-4861 or james_r@ettielee.org

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