When Dr. Rebecca Lienhard discusses her work at Tierra del Sol Foundation, she doesn’t just view her role as CEO of an organization, supporting over 800 individuals with developmental disabilities across Southern California; she sees it as a lifelong calling.

Dr. Lienhard joined Tierra del Sol in 1990, driven by a passion for creating opportunities for people with disabilities who had too often been told “no” to their hopes and dreams. Over time, she took on nearly every role at the foundation, gaining firsthand experience in how each program affects lives. By the time she was appointed CEO in 2014, she had already built a career defined by persistence, creativity, and the belief that inclusion is non-negotiable.

“My favorites were those where I was either teaching our associates how to be successful in their jobs or teaching our staff how to be successful with their associates. I’ve always enjoyed listening to the people we serve and where they want to go with their lives. Then it becomes a challenge for me—making that a reality, not just a dream,” she shares.

She knows firsthand the barriers her associates face: “The associates Tierra typically serves have usually been told ‘no’, their entire lives, to the point that they either stop believing it to be possible or stop dreaming altogether. Still, when the job finally opens up, there is no greater feeling than seeing someone find a home where they are valued for their unique contributions and strengths. Multiply that moment by 35 years and hundreds of people, and you will now know why it is hard to leave this amazing place.”

What makes Tierra del Sol unique? For Dr. Lienhard, it’s not just the programs: it’s the philosophy.

“We believe that all people can work,” she explains. “We champion inclusion and value for all people, regardless of disability, through creative pathways to employment. We listen, truly listen, to each person. We live through our values of person-centeredness, honesty, respect, passion, and full engagement. We are driven to make full lives happen for each person served.”

That commitment shows in the details. Tierra del Sol partners with more than 200 employers. The foundation’s programs support not just employment but also careers in the arts, professional volunteering, and college-to-career transitions. Each initiative is grounded in the idea that a person’s dreams, whether to be an artist, an office professional, or a student, are worth pursuing.

Dr. Lienhard’s influence extends well beyond the organization’s walls. She has become a leading voice in the national disability services field, shaping policies and practices that champion inclusion. Her service includes positions on the California Department of Developmental Services’ Vendor Advisory Committee, Woodbury University’s School of Business Advisory Board, and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities’ Employment First Committee.

She has presented at numerous national and local conferences hosted by APSE, TASH, USC, and the Autism Society of Los Angeles, among others. Each time, she carries the same message: inclusion benefits everyone.

When asked what she loves most about Tierra del Sol, Dr. Lienhard doesn’t hesitate: “All of it—all 800+ lives we serve. Their lives are so rich and complex. We can learn so much if we take the time. All of the staff—all 400+ of them! Their lives are also so complex. I am always amazed by how much they must sacrifice to work at Tierra, to do a job they love. It is a privilege to walk beside each of them daily. The honor is mine, and I can only hope they know that daily.”

It’s this blend of humility and admiration that defines her leadership style. Over the years, Dr. Lienhard has been recognized with awards such as the Los Angeles Times Inspirational Women of the Year (2021) and the United Chambers of Commerce Inspirational Women Award (2017). She has been named multiple times among the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s Top 200 Leaders.

And now, her work is about to be celebrated on a national stage.

This season, Dr. Lienhard will be featured on the Hallmark Network’s “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert,” a series that follows the actress as she honors individuals making a positive impact in their communities. She is one of just eight leaders from across the country chosen to be spotlighted. Viewers can expect laughs, tears, and a huge surprise as Tierra’s mission and Dr. Lienhard’s leadership are celebrated for audiences everywhere. The episode aired on September 22nd, but can be viewed on Hallmark+.

The post Leading With Heart: Dr. Rebecca Lienhard’s Journey at Tierra del Sol appeared first on Tierra del Sol.

Kick-off NDEAM and support our organization this October by participating in

Tierra’s Virtual Walk n’ Roll 

Walk, Run, or Roll at your own pace 

October 1st – 15th 

Donate, Start a Team, or Fundraise on your own! Complete a 5K (3.1 miles/7,000 steps) or 10K (6.2 miles/13,000 steps) or your own personal challenge at your convenience any time, anywhere between October 1st through October 15th. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

PRIZES

All registrants receive a long sleeve 

“Walk n’ Roll” t-shirt.

Prizes for fundraisers include clear stadium  bags, portable chargers, bluetooth speakers,  and beach towels.

Highest fundraiser wins 4 loge seats and parking to a 2026 Dodger Season Home Game!

Register, share with your friends, raise funds, awareness, and HAVE FUN! 

For questions or details, contact Jessica Asciolla at jasciolla@tierradelsol.org or (818) 723-2282 

The post Tierra’s 2nd Annual Virtual Walk n’ Roll  appeared first on Tierra del Sol.

Angie Negrete, Director of NHF Arleta Recuperative Care, explains, “Our interim housing guests come from programs like the Los Angeles Homeless Authority housing queue, while our recuperative guests come from hospital and insurance partners and are with us for a shorter stay. For both groups, we focus on helping people get back on their feet and into permanent housing. In some cases, we’re also able to support family reunification.” At its current capacity, the center has over 100 guests who receive three meals a day. Mario Ledesma, Arleta’s Chef and Kitchen Supervisor, shares, “Preparing such a high volume of meals takes a consistent pace from a strong crew. We support the dietary and nutritional well-being of our residents and prepare fresh dishes that are lowsodium and nutrient-rich.”

With 20 years of experience in food service and preparation training, Tierra was approached by NHF in 2023 to inquire about creating a partnership where associates would work in the kitchen to prepare and serve food. At that time, the center was in the early stages of development, which gave Tierra time to continue training associates who were eager to step in and take on the challenge of joining Arleta’s fast-paced kitchen crew. Negrete exclaims, “We love Tierra! Arleta operates 365 days a year, and we are nearing full capacity, so Tierra associates have been instrumental in making our kitchen services a success. Tierra provides quality interns and mentors who help us operate our kitchen with complete confidence and meet the needs of the people we serve. They are fast learners and eager to grow! And I also appreciate how they get to know the Arleta guests and staff. It’s been a great experience so far, and we are grateful for all the help they have provided. As NHF’s programs and services are expanding in the coming year, so will our partnership with Tierra. It’s been almost a year since the partnership began and it has already exceeded expectations.”

This April, NHF hired Rodney Monroe and Rony Giron, who were both interning in the Arleta Kitchen. Erika Garcia, Master Instructor in Tierra’s Workforce Development program, shared, “Rodney and Rony focused on developing their skills—from dishwashing and food prep to nutrition and serving.” They received valuable mentorship from both their NHF supervisors and Tierra staff. Their hard work paid off, and now they’re working full-time, Monday through Friday. Congratulations, gentlemen, we are so proud of you!”

Flor Garcia, Workforce Development Program Manager, shares, “We’ve always seen guests at Arleta being treated with dignity and respect no matter what their hardship, which has been powerful for Tierra interns to experience. For some of the interns who have been here since the beginning, they’ve come out of their shells. There have been so many great relationships built at Arleta, and the atmosphere is continuously welcoming.” Tierra strives to create a world where everyone is seen for who they truly are. Regardless of perceived disability, all people have the right to live productive and personally meaningful lives. Through our partnership with NHF’s Arleta Housing program, we are proud to align our visions—creating a world where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Together, we are building an inclusive community that heals, supports, and uplifts—making us stronger and more resilient than ever before.

The post “Yes, Chef!” The Innovative Partnership of Tierra del Sol and National Health Foundation’s Arleta Kitchen appeared first on Tierra del Sol.

I proudly present a snapshot of our annual satisfaction report for the calendar year 2022. We work to achieve our mission to champion inclusion and value for all people with disabilities through creative pathways to employment, education, and the arts. We have developed a broad array of Workforce Development Programs, including competitively paid employment and professional volunteerism opportunities, College-to- Career Programs, Careers in the Arts Programs, and Individualized Support Services. Since 2019, we have seen an associate growth of over 40%, from serving 566 associates to 780 associates in 2022!

For this year’s survey, we received 418 recorded responses. Of these, 240 were associate responses and 147 were family responses, leaving the remainder to our various funding agencies, such as Regional Center. In 2022, we partnered with 780 unduplicated associates with our supports and services that were as geo- graphically diverse, as they were ethnically and racially. Overall, 86.3% of the respondents gave Tierra an A or B score for their experience with our services.

Thank you for your support, and I hope you will continue to stand with us as we work to ensure that all people live productive and personally meaningful lives, regardless of the notion of disability.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Lienhard
Chief Executive Officer

Click here to read full article

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