A seed that keeps growing
May 2009 Newsletter
Dear Reader,                                                           
In an interview to Francois Michelin, Honorary President of the well-known tire company, when he was asked what was his understanding of work, he answered:  LAHH Sign Office
 "This question was once put to a little girl. She answered, "To work is to build!" What does it mean to build? To give yourself a target that you want to reach. It is finding materials to build a house or producing tires. You think that you are building a family or a company. But, in the final analysis, it is yourself that you are building. In my own personal case, I believe I am working all the time. To work for a business is to always keep its objectives in mind, to assimilate anything that can help you clarify them, and to find the means to achieve them. It is also to ask yourself why things are the way they are. When you have properly understood the reason that things are what they are, you know how to make use of them. Reasoning by analogy is a marvelous tool. Quite often, different phenomena have something in common that connects them; an underlying, primary cause that allows you to understand a lot of things. You may merely be watching someone sweep the street, and you can be struck suddenly by an idea that will allow you to improve the machines that you use to make tires.You know, the Bible says that it is the mission of craftsmen to complete creation. Isn't this marvelous?"[1].
Yes, we can say that it is marvelous!
 
 The facts and stories proposed in this issue are the evidence of people "craftsmen": "When I interviewed for the position I now hold with LAHH, says Cris H., I expected that I was walking into "just another job". 
Chevrolet CargoOn the first day of Boot Camp I realized I had found an opportunity that was golden. 
The training was delivered with a level of detail that ensured there was no confusion or mis-understanding about what it was I had to do.  The training and methodology behind the OS1 system is such that it makes working as a janitor an enjoyable experience.  When I began working with the team at the HRC in Torrance I realized that being here with LAHH was far more than just a job. It has proven to be exactly what a veteran facing so many challenges needed."
(Cris Hartsock, LAHH Employee)
 
[In the picture Christopher Theodosis, left, and Cris Hartsock]
 
[1] http://www.acton.org/files/rl_v12n3.pdf
In This Issue
Spring 2009 Boot Camp
Spring 2009 Boot Camp Graduation
LAHH & Harbor Regional Center
Two Ways to Support LAHH
Spring 2009 Boot Camp
From April 20 - May 1st, nine new recruits listened with attention as Guido Piccarolo, President - LAHH, discussed the philosophy and history behind custodial services and coached them through the proper usage of tools, chemicals, equipment involved with the (OS1) process, and MSDS. LAHH recruited from the Harbor Regional Center, Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network, and through the Ticket to Work program. Los Angeles Habilitation House recently won a contract to clean the Harbor Regional Center in Torrance, CA.  

Boot Camp 2009 Lesson  

                    Patrick Vacuum Boot Camp
 Boot Camp Class                     Patrick using the Super Coach Back Pack Vacuum 
 
This contract requires two light duty specialists, two vacuum specialists, one restroom specialist, and one utility specialist. Guido said, "One of the best things about Boot Camp is it gives me enough time to evaluate which specialty will fit each person in order that they excel."

Boot Camp 2009 Class 2            Boot Camp Cards Game 
Boot Camp Workshop               Boot Camp Team Learning
 
In a simple way this quote from one of the parent's employee describes all the importance of the work done during Boot Camp: "He is very responsible and dependable, but at his previous job, I had constant worry that he wouldn't keep his job due to his special needs. I am so happy he has people who allow him to do what he can do."

 
Boot Camp 2009 Vacuum                      Boot Camp MSDS
Justin Vacuuming                             MSDS Class
Spring 2009 Boot Camp Graduation
On Friday May 15 at 9.30am, eight recruits who participated in Boot Camp, received their Boot Camp certification. Chevrolet Cargo
A crowd of about 30 family members and friends participated with great commotion to this wonderful moment. We cannot say enough about the dedication, hard work and great achievement of these men and women who successfully graduated. It is a gift to have all of them at LAHH. Here some of the comments from the day.
"I had the opportunity to attend the "boot camp" graduation and it truly brought tears to my eyes.  To see the graduates "beam" and be so proud of what they had accomplished  cannot be put into words.  I was delighted that so many parents and friends showed up to cheer them on.  I was truly honored to be a part of the ceremonies and to meet so many of the parents and friends." (Cathy McConville, Facility Manager, Harbor Regional Center)  

2009 Graduation Patrick

Patrick O'Melveny graduating as Restroom Specialist
LAHH & Harbor Regional Center
May 4th we started our cleaning services at the Harbor Regional Center in Torrance and Long Beach. These two new sites add approximately 100,000 sq/ft of cleanable space. It is incredibly exciting and challenging at the same time.   
 
HRC outside office.
The LAHH Team outside Harbor Regional Center 
 
We would like to share with you some of the comments that we have received at the end of our first month of service. "I have never seen so many areas so clean - it looks great and the crew is wonderful and friendly!" 
                                         
HRC inside Pat's Office
Meet & Greet at HRC in Torrance 
 
"We are at our one month anniversary for hiring and working with the crew from LAHH and based on this time period all I can say is WOW....working with LAHH is one of the best decisions I have made in my professional life - it is wonderful to work for an Agency that stresses the need to hire our clients and better yet when we are able to put it into action.  I am thrilled that our partnership with LAHH has started off as such a huge success. There is not a day that goes by that somebody from our staff does not say positive comments about the crew.  They are polite, they always have a smile on their face, they do a great job, my carpet, office, workstation has never been so clean and oh did I say they are so polite."
(Cathy McConville, Facility Manager, HRC)                   

Justin & Christopher at HRC

Christopher and Justin first day of work at HRC, Torrance 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"You can't help but beam a smile when you see the happy faces of our new cleaning crew and LA Habilitation Management. It's a daily reminder of the common goal that we share- to encourage our clients' growth by focusing on their strengths and talents in an inclusive environment."
(Michele Mar, Employment Specialist, HRC)
Two Ways to Support LAHH 
 
 Community Program at Ralphs & Goodsearch.com
 
Guido and the team.jpg  
Brandon, Paul, Guido, and Stephen 
 
Community Program at Ralphs
 
LAHH is a part of the Community Program at Ralphs or Food 4 Less or Foods Co.  Every time you shop for groceries and swipe your card, LAHH automatically starts earning a rebate that is paid every quarter.
 
You can participate by taking the following steps: 
1) Register your Ralph's club card online at www.ralphs.com
2) Click on www.ralphs.com
3) Click on sign in/register. Click on "Sign up today" if you are new to registering your Ralphs club card.
4) After filling out the required fields, within My Account, you will see Community Contribution Program. Click on this link.
5) Enter in your Ralphs rewards customer number. You can find this number on a receipt before the dollar total or by calling 800-660-9003 to get the number. You can also sign up over the phone by calling 800-660-9003.
6) LAHH's is assigned NPO number 91267 - enter this number next.
7) If you use your phone number at check out, you are still earning rebates for LAHH!
 
Goodsearch.com
 
Give to charity by just searching the Internet!
 
What if LAHH earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can! Portal site GoodShop.com donates a percentage of all purchases to your charity of choice, without the hassle of registering, whenever you buy from one of 600 affiliated merchants including Target, Bloomingdale's and Zappo's.
 
It takes just a few seconds to go to www.goodshop.com, select Los Angeles Habilitation House, and then click through to your favorite store and shop as usual.
 
                          http://www.goodsearch.com/press.aspx
 
Thank you for participating in these unique ways of support!