LAHH turns 18!
We are full of gratitude, love, and joy as we look back at these 18 years together. Thank you. It is a privilege and a grace to be here to tell you this after 18 years. Our friend, Jessica of Grateful & Blessed Boutique, designed a t-shirt for the occasion. We love the design and are very grateful that she put her creativity to use for our mission's moment. Check it out under the “Collaboration” dropdown on her website.
Sweet Sixteen for Stephen at LAHH!
We are so proud of you Stephen and all that you have accomplished. We are honored to work with you! ⭐ You have been top notch since you started at LAHH as employee #3!
#NDEAM
October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to recognize the valuable contributions of our employees with disabilities to the American economy. Join us in celebrating their achievements and advocating for equity and access in the workforce. #NDEAM #AccessToGoodJobsForAll
Expanding social enterprise
Los Angeles Habilitation House is excited to share that Nancy has joined an amazing group of nonprofit leaders through being selected to participate in The Economic Mobility Incubator (EMI). This dynamic partnership between Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, REDF, and the Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM) Los Angeles. REDF leads the Social Enterprise Training Program portion, which equips nonprofits leaders in the cohort with the tools, resources, and support needed to start impact-driven, revenue-generating businesses.
Lots of excitement in store, stay tuned as these nonprofits bring their big ideas to life! 💫
Ben Walker is the 2024 recipient of The Jim Ginnaty, A Heart of Gold Award
LAHH is honored to share that Ben Walker is the 2024 recipient of The Jim Ginnaty, A Heart of Gold Award because of his contribution to the JanSan Industry. Ben constantly strives to improve organizations through sharing his deep knowledge and experience. LAHH is one of many organizations that is better today because of Ben. Thank you, Ben and Congratulations!
Celebrating 9 Years
Join us in celebrating Anthony for reaching this great milestone: 9 years with LAHH! Congratulations Anthony for your hard work and dedication. We are so proud of you!
#SafetyFirst
Stop. Think. Remember. Three words to help us stay safe at work when things are routine or we might feel tired or dehydrated. You and your mobility are too important to rush.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 🎁
Together we approach the end of another year. Thinking of 2023, we want to kindly express a sincere Thank You to all of you who continually support our endeavor and mission. You are amazing! We are so appreciatve that you keep our nonprofit in mind as you give this year and past. Feeling a deep gratitude for remaining in business and being able to employ people with disabilitles, we were happy to give back and help rasie funds for Best Buddies Jobs.
We partnered with Mouth & Foot Painting Artists for our greeting cards. This card in particular brought forth a warm and encouraging feeling, which we hope to leave with you as we end 2023.
The experience of working with Julie at Best Buddies as the employment of Evan and Jacob continue is full of joy and goodness. Julie shared this with us.
Nancy and Guido demonstrate a deep and genuine commitment to the mission of creating and nurturing inclusive employment experiences for people with disabilities. They are truly an inspiration, embodying the philosophy of genuine inclusion for all members of our community. Their dedication to creating and sustaining LAHH, a non-profit business focused on employing people with disabilities, has resulted in meaningful employment opportunities for many in the LA area.
While we feel humbled and still need to work to earn such priase, we are sharing this perspective out of esteem and respect for a peer and how together we are responding to the problem that still exists for people with disabilities to work.
The kindness of Julie to share her experience points to the underlying foundation of continual training and accommadations that grow and change with the person as they grow and change. It also indicates the postivie and fundamental impact that comes from a culture of inclusion which leads to success for our employees with disabilities.
We ask for donations this year to continue providing the necessary training and accommdations, which creates a stable workplace that can be a stepping stone for current and future employees. Some of you have already donated and for that we are filled with deep thanks which makes our goal of $10,000 already on its way. Thank you for including LAHH in yoru generous giving. We keep you and yours close.
Happy Thanksgiving!
We are so grateful for your support and presence in our lives. We are truly better off because of you.
Thank you and have a beautiful holiday!
Thank you for supporting our nomination as Champion of the Year!
Although, we were not crowned Champions, we are so grateful to be part of the Best Buddies Jobs programs and we are always #Happy2GiveBack. Thank you for supporting us and Best Buddies!
YEAR IN REVIEW
So much more than this…
So much more than what we can see and what we can do, became clear to us when a family member of one of our employees wrote, “You run LAHH with love and warmth. The beautiful way you have managed Los Angeles Habilitation House has affected how the employees treat each other and how my husband treats me when he gets home.” 2022 has definitely been a year to build, a year to adjust, and a year to embrace a different way of doing things.
And our colleagues with disabilities have helped provide a different and broader perspective for how to problem solve that is the basis for the positivity and hope we are feeling.
Back to the basics is necessary.
This year showed how much basic training is needed and necessary to provide workplace accommodations and supports for our colleagues with disabilities. We are learning new ways to make others feel welcomed and that our culture is open and accessible. We learned new ways to support and promote healthy and safe workplace practices and ask for your generous support again this year for our training and support fund.
Your tax-deductible donation will fuel our mission through 2023.
Thank you for considering LAHH for your end of the year giving.
We are happy and grateful for you.
Thank you for welcoming us to be part of your story. So many people with disabilities are left out and feel isolated. This year we have seen our volunteers and partners embrace us, as we are.
This makes a difference. Thank you.
May the joy of the Christmas holiday season bring this love and warmth even more into your life.
Guido & Nancy
We are celebrating #DisabilityEmployment
With October, just around the corner, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM), is almost here, so we are celebrating #DisabilityEmployment! Learn more here how you can participate. With NDEAM in mind, I want to share a recent conversation with the mother of one of our colleagues who is a person with disabilities. I was really helped by how she described what the job with LAHH means to her son:
Feels Responsible
Very proud of his position
Has increased self-worth
He really likes the job
An important step for him
To put this feedback in context, when her son and I work together, interacting about the tasks of the day, such as the supplies that need to be refilled, in the small office building we’re cleaning, I am not aware of how he feels as he does not verbally express this. We work through the problems before us, sometimes in complete silence, with little or no eye contact. Some days I hear about his weekend, while other days the only word I hear is, “okay.”
Even though I did not hear first hand from our colleague about how he feels toward his job, I am certain that the feelings he expressed to his mother are possible due to workplace accommodations that in place, specifically to match his needs.
According to the July 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employed persons with a disability were more likely to have requested a change in their current workplace to do their job better than were those with no disability. Such changes included new or modified equipment; physical changes to the workplace; policy changes to the workplace; changes in work tasks, job structure, or schedule; changes in communication or information sharing; changes to comply with religious beliefs; accommodations for family or personal obligations; training; or other changes. And the most commonly requested type of change was work tasks, job structure, or schedule, which is also true for employees at LAHH.
Recently in an online class, I learned that in 1998, HUD, the federal housing authority, did not consider people with disabilities able to work, excluding them from the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998. What a false assumption!
When I put all of this together, the feedback, the workplace accommodations provided, and that 24 years ago, our government had a major doubt on the employability of people with disabilities, I am reminded how special and unique it is to work with people who are disabled. We invite you to celebrate with us #DisabilityEmployment!
- Nancy
Photo above: A class learning about how to be safe in the workplace.
I am forever and always grateful
On his last days with LAHH before staring a new job, Brandon shared…
In 2008 at 19 and a half, I went on an interview. Then on my birthday, when I turned 20 years old, I got the news that I was a new hire of a small janitorial company called Los Angeles Habilitation House (LAHH). This might sound crazy or cliche, but that was one of the best gifts that I received on my birthday knowing that I got a job. In that year job searching wasn't so good. With any job your gonna have your ups and downs. But it you, as a person, it's on you to overcome those ups and downs and those obstacles. In 2016 I became the 5th recipient of the outstanding cleaning worker of the year and went on a trip to New Mexico to receive the award. In 2017, I became a team leader. At the beginning of 2020, I became a supervisor. But as of July, 30, 2021, my janitorial journey has come to an end. I’m embarking on a new journey. They say 13 years is a long time. I am blessed and grateful for the opportunities, I was given a platform to be able to help inspire people. A company I'm blessed to have been able with and work on different sites with my coworkers. In Torrance and San Pedro, and of course, my building in Long beach. My message to the team is to continue to inspire others, because you never know who's watching and to my bosses, Guido and Nancy, you both took a chance on me when nobody else would. And I am forever and always grateful for everything that you have taught me.
Brandon and Steven have been working together at HRC LB since 2018. They often referred to how they worked together each day with basketball plays such as the daily game plan, editing the plays, and helping each other run the floor!
We want to welcome Ernesto to the HRC Long Beach Crew!! Ernesto was referred through Brandon who wanted to make sure to give a great partner to Steven for the journey ahead. Ernesto has prior experience working in janitorial and is excited to join the team.
All of us at LAHH contributed to this word art for Brandon’s last day with LAHH!
Congratulations Brandon!
You are always and forever with us!!
LAHH celebrates helping others!
Jacob was given the “Passionate Heart for the Other” award today at Los Angeles Habilitation House during #BestBuddiesMonth!
About the award and Jacob
The award “Passionate Heart for the Other” is named after Patrick O’Melveny who exemplified a passionate heart during his short, but beautiful life. Patrick worked with LAHH almost from the beginning and has made a lasting and meaning impact on our lives. The first award recipient was Kenny Samuels who is pictured holding the award with Jacob.
Jacob has been working with the janitorial team in Torrance, CA learning light duty, vacuum, and restrooms and doing a great job! Recently a team member stayed home for a few months due health complications. When this team member returned to work Jacob was attentive, compassionate, and extra helpful even to the point of slowing down his work to stay on pace with the team member in case he needed something during work. When we realized that Jacob was taking care to how this team member was doing on his first days back, we wanted to celebrate the kindness and generosity of Jacob who loves helping others.
Congratulations Jacob, a Best Buddies Jobs Participant, and thank you for showing us that kindness to others and helping others is the way to go!
Work and Love.
We say’ Thank you’ Best Buddies and encourage everyone to learn more about what you can do for #BestBuddiesMonth!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Dear Friends and Family,
We have been working with the pandemic for 9 months at the writing of this letter, as have you. 2020 has been unique, to say the least. We take a moment to remember those who have passed away this year as for us at LAHH it has been personal. We have kept all of you in our hearts and prayers this year, in a more intense way than previous years, because while living life during the pandemic we have been reminded, many times, that life is a gift, yet fragile, and unable to be controlled. We also found that facing the pandemic together makes it easier, then facing it on our own. While the mental toll has been high on all of us, we are very humbled that all of our employees were able to go to work this year, knowing many people have lost their jobs.
As we look back on this year, we see that our communities and employees have blossomed, because they contain something within themselves that is similar to resilience, vitality, and creativity. We were supported throughout the year by our communities, several of which were the first to bring up the question, “How are you preventing the spread of the coronavirus?” Asking that question reminded us of our belonging.
We are very grateful for each and every donation and please know that we do not take for granted your generosity and thoughtfulness toward LAHH. LAHH is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose tax-identification number is 20-8579946. All donations will receive a tax receipt via email or mail, depending on how we are in touch.
Thank you for thinking of us and we wish you a joyful and wonderful Holiday Season!
Nancy & Guido
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Celebrating our colleagues with disabilities and all people with disabilities! Having worked at an organization where the majority of the employees are people with disabilities, we can attest to a work place that is more gentle, safer, and happier. We encourage all businesses to commit to fostering a more inclusive workforce, one in which all people are recognized for their abilities and talents.
Thank you to all our Outstanding Cleaning Workers and Supporters!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
“How great to see you both doing a work that brings justice to the world. Custodial work makes the world ordered and safe and makes all other work possible. It is the work of God! And to honor it with a ceremony (& ice cream) is the antidote we need to the pandemic. Like Guido said, “thank you,” to your employees and to you! ”
“Thank you for having us and for making a difference in the lives of these men! It was really wonderful to witness during the LAHH award ceremony the gaze of Nancy & Guido for each one of their employees and to remind us the importance of their jobs in keeping all of us safe, now more than ever. And in return witnessing the joy on the LAHH crew to be recognized for what they do as essential workers, along with their gratitude to be seen, appreciated and employed in these unprecedented times was priceless!!”
“I had the privilege to attend the LAHH Outstanding Worker Cleaning Ceremony. Even though all the other janitorial companies cancelled this kind of event because of Covid, Nancy and Guido decided it was so important for them and their employees that they held it, on a smaller scale and with all the safety measures in mind. Since the beginning of this pandemic all the LAHH employees are considered essential workers. The gratitude towards them was so great that Nancy and Guido felt it was right to give the award to all of them instead of just a few. Friends and families were there and also customers of LAHH. A people brought together by “Gratitude”.
Guido spoke a few words that were really true and beautiful. He explained that he wanted to say “Thank you” to them but in the deepest meaning of the word. From the latin “gratia” which means “grace”. He explained that every single one of the workers was a “grace”, a “blessing” that keeps enriching all of our lives. Everybody was attentive, family members were videotaping, customers were clapping, something so true and exceptional was happening that was palpable.
The gaze Nancy and Guido have on their employees and the affection they get in return are signs of a new humanity that was happening in front of my eyes and that is so attractive that I want it in own life.”
Celebrating on September 9, 2020 the Outstanding Cleaning Workers at LAHH!
Since 2001, the Simon Institute has been honoring cleaning workers with the Outstanding Cleaning Worker Award during a banquet award dinner. LAHH honored their first outstanding cleaning worker in 2012, Bryan Cosajay, at the Simon Institute Symposium in New Orleans, Louisiana. Each year as the award banquet got under way, Mr. John Walker would remind us all that are roughly 2.5 million cleaning workers who were going to work and performing simple tasks that make a difference in the lives of so many people the next morning. The Simon Institute has recognized from the beginning the importance of each person in the cleaning industry and included in their Philosophy of Cleaning, “Treat cleaning workers as first class citizens.” This recognition is something that Nancy and Guido identified with when starting LAHH. During the pandemic, we have seen so many cleaning workers continuing to work and change the way they clean to meet CDC and public health guidelines and keep people safe.
There will not be Simon Institute Symposium this year due to the pandemic, but we could not pass up the opportunity to say “Thank you” and “We love you” to our employees with disabilities who are Outstanding Cleaning Workers!
Here are some of our previous winners!
ANACT tote bags behind the LAHH Pasta Lab logo
I first started following Brianna Kilcullen through her kickstarter campaign and loved the one-of-a-kind hemp-based towels and tote bags! I use both and highly recommend them. The tote bags are a one-of-a-kind hemp-based reusable tote bag, made of 55% hemp 45% organic cotton, machine washable, and we identify with how Brianna and the wonderful team at ANACT are “taking simple acts to use Earth's natural resources to make products that solve everyday problems.”
The simplicity to look at the world around us and respond connects to our history at LAHH by recognizing the need for work experienced by people with disabilities and starting a nonprofit to directly hire people with disabilities. 80% of LAHH employees are people with disabilities who otherwise would not be working!
The logo for the pasta lab comes from the First Paladeno Family Cookbook in America, currently not available for sale, but will be soon. The drawings in the cookbook are by Rebecca Pacheco, a cousin to a former colleague, who felt moved by our mission and wanted to offer her artistic abilities to bring alive the recipes with characters drawn with pencil and charcoal.
The logo is a chef carrying a big bowl of pasta from the kitchen into the dining room table to share with his family and friends. We smiled noticing the big spoon he is also carrying because pasta has to be served and eaten immediately.
We are giving away the ANACT totes with our pasta chef to announce our pasta lab which will be offering free fresh homemade pasta samples for a limited time. We look forward to enjoying fresh pasta together soon!
