The post Happy Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM)! At Tierra we’re not just celebrating all March long, we’re celebrating ALL YEAR LONG! appeared first on Tierra del Sol.

Kidspace Children’s Museum and Tierra del Sol Foundation are proud to announce Here I Am, the newest exhibition in their long-standing partnership supporting artists with disabilities. Opening with a private reception on October 30, 2025, the exhibition will be on view at Kidspace through early 2026.

For more than a decade, Kidspace and Tierra del Sol have collaborated to champion inclusion and expand creative opportunities for people with disabilities. Here I Am marks the third joint exhibition highlighting art, ability, and possibility, continuing both organizations’ shared mission to empower artists and broaden access to the arts.

Curated by Tierra del Sol artist Bill Marshall, Here I Am features works by eighteen artists exploring the relationship between identity and place. From everyday scenes to abstract compositions, the exhibition examines how our surroundings shape self-perception, and how self-expression, in turn, transforms the spaces we inhabit.

“I feel like I am abstract, and it connects me to my work,” said Marshall, reflecting on the show’s theme of identity as a dynamic exchange between artist and environment.

Lisa Clements, CEO of Kidspace Museum, emphasized the broader vision behind the collaboration. “Creativity is a bridge that connects people of all ages and abilities,” she said. “Partnering with Tierra del Sol deepens our commitment to inclusion and amplifies the voices of artists who inspire us to see the world in new ways.”

The opening reception for Here I Am will take place on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 6:30 pm at Kidspace Museum. The event will feature a live performance by the inclusive dance troupe Straight Up Abilities, hands-on artmaking with Tierra artists, and opportunities for interviews with artists and organizational leaders.

Following the opening, Kidspace will host public art workshops led by Tierra artists. The exhibition will remain on view for museum guests through early 2026.

Here I Am is made possible in part by the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Division.

The post Kidspace Museum and Tierra del Sol Foundation Announce Here I Am, a New Exhibition Celebrating Artists with Disabilities. 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.

“When 43% of Californians benefit from a program funded by Medicaid, these services support every part of our state,” said Julie Gaona, Chair of the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities. “We want to be sure people with disabilities and aging adults in California can live, work, play, and contribute to their community.”

The federal budget proposals currently under consideration threaten deep and irreversible harm to the people we serve. These proposals include:

• Over $700 billion in cuts to Medicaid, the foundation of community-based supports for individuals with disabilities and complex behavioral health needs;

• Nearly $300 billion in reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), putting direct support professionals and the people they support at risk of food insecurity; and

• Proposed reductions to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), including efforts to eliminate or significantly reduce funding for State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils) and other vital programs.

The impact of these cuts would be devastating and widespread:

• People with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs would lose access to critical, individualized supports – including housing, employment services, therapy, case management, and crisis intervention.

• Medicaid-funded behavioral health and home and community-based services (HCBS) would be slashed, leading to increased institutionalization and preventable crises.

• DD Councils, which play a central role in research, policy innovation, advocacy, and systems change, would face defunding or elimination – at a time when inclusive and evidence-based practices are more essential than ever.

• The workforce crisis on disability and mental health services would intensify, with job losses, unsustainable workloads, and diminished service quality.

• Families and unpaid caregivers would be forced to carry impossible burdens, with little to no support from public systems.

This is not just a policy debate – it is a moral reckoning.

Medicaid is not a luxury. SNAP is not an option. ACL programs are not expendable. These are the mechanisms by which we affirm the dignity, rights, and humanity of people with disabilities. To weaken or eliminate them is to regress—to erase decades of advocacy, legal progress, and hard-won equity.

We call on the U.S. Senate to:

• Reject cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and the Administration for Community Living.
• Protect the funding and integrity of State Councils on Developmental Disabilities and related programs.
• Preserve the right of all people with disabilities to live in their communities with autonomy, support, and dignity.

To every member of Congress: this is your opportunity to stand on the side of justice. 

TAKE ACTION!

Call Your U.S. Senators 

Tell them you oppose the proposed cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and ACL programs. Demand they protect funding that supports people with disabilities and their access to inclusive, community-based services.

Call the Capitol Switchboard: 1-202-224-3121

Write to Your Local Media 

Submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or contact a local journalist. Share how these cuts will harm your community, your work, or your loved ones.

Educate Others 

Talk with colleagues, family members, and self-advocates. Host a discussion or webinar. Use your platform to amplify the message.

Share on Social Media

Use your voice online to raise awareness.

Tag your representatives. Use hashtags like:

#SaveMedicaid

#DontTouchMedicaid

#HandsOffMedicaid

#SaveMediCal

#DisabilityRights

#IAmTierra

Together, we must raise our voices louder than the proposals that threaten to silence us.

Remember, we are not Fraud, Waste, or Abuse. We are people, and we matter.

The post Medicaid Updates & Action Steps appeared first on Tierra del Sol.

Named for a long-time human relations leader in Los Angeles County, since 1972 the annual John Anson Ford Human Relations Awards have identified and honored human relations champions.  Each year, nominees for seven awards are considered. Five of the awards are for outstanding human relations projects and programs throughout the County — one for each of the five County Supervisorial Districts. In addition, the John Allen Buggs Leadership Award honors a public official for human relations advocacy and leadership. And the Yvonne B. Burke Courage Award honors an individual for bold, dauntless action to advance human relations.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger of the 5th District shared, “Congratulations to Tierra del Sol Foundation for your well-deserved recognition as our Fifth District honoree at the John Anson Ford Human Relations Awards! Your commitment to support, uplift, and equip people with developmental disabilities truly changes lives.”

Monica Banken, Policy Deputy for Barger’s office shared, “Tierra’s artists are exhibiting locally, nationally, and globally. Every day, Tierra is helping people with disabilities to thrive! I am so honored to be here today to award them for their inclusive pathways to employment and arts engagement.”

Kevork Keushkerian, Commissioner for the 5th District, also shared, “I had a vested interest in the Tierra del Sol Foundation as Sarkis, my brother, who passed away three years ago, used to go to their facility in Sunland. His drawings and paintings were exhibited collectively in different venues. He was taken to City Hall, where he was awarded a certificate of appreciation. Thank you, Tierra del Sol Foundation.”

Congratulations to all of this year’s JAF honorees and many thanks to Supervisor Barger, her team, and the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission for this prestigious recognition. We are humbled, honored, and motivated to continue pushing forward, creating a more inclusive world where people with disabilities are valued for all they can do, seen for who they truly are, and respected for all they bring to the table.

The post Tierra Receives the John Anson Ford Human Relations Award! appeared first on Tierra del Sol.

“It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be working with Tierra del Sol and their associates. As a business focused on sustainability, we take it upon ourselves to encourage a society that is operating with ethics and consciousness, especially when it comes to the inclusivity of people from all walks of life who seek betterment despite circumstances. We are grateful to facilitate inclusivity together. Tierra del Sol has shaped our environmental working spirit for the better.”

Christopher Herrera, owner of Chatsworth Grocery Outlet, echoed similar sentiments and was thrilled to see that partnerships between Grocery Outlet and Tierra are rapidly growing. “I had no idea there were several additional stores being honored tonight and I am so proud to be one of them.” Monique and Dale Mascari, owners of the Canoga Park Grocery Outlet, expressed their gratitude for the recognition and shared, “this has been a great partnership. Everyone is so easy to work with at Tierra, and the support is incredible. We’ve worked with other employment groups from other agencies in the past, and Tierra is, by far, the best!”

While the night was filled with uplifting speeches, Rebecca Lienhard, Tierra CEO, delivered a staggering workforce development statistic. “For the last three decades the unemployment rate for people with disabilities has been 75%.” Rebecca asked, “How do we communicate the benefits of hiring a person with disabilities to the employers at the table? How do we undo the biases….the true barrier? I know that when I look around this room, I am preaching to the choir because you all understand. We can’t change the world alone, but together we can change the unemployment rate for the 800 people that Tierra serves. Join me in our ten year goal to flip the unemployment stat.”

Congratulations to our 2024 Awardees! Thank you for being amazing partners.

“There are two ways of looking at the world. You can either look at the world through scarcity or through abundance. And if you look at it through scarcity, you’re concerned about what you need, making sure other people don’t get your share, and being at the front of the line. But, if you look at the world through the eyes of abundance, you say, ‘hmm… there’s enough to go around. We can share and help others who might need a little help.’ In this time, we need to remember to look through the eyes of abundance. That to me, is at the heart of volunteering. You’re trying to make a difference in the lives of many people, and you’re also enriching your life as you do it. Thank you very much.”

—Suzi Hoge Recipient of the Star Thrower Award for outstanding work as an exemplary volunteer

The post Employment and Volunteer Partners Lead Equity and Inclusion appeared first on Tierra del Sol.

Tell us a little about yourself, Rachel. 

Hello! I am the first master’s degree recipient from Tierra del Sol’s College to Career Program. I guess I’m kinda famous now, lol! 

You really are and we are so proud of you! Walk us through your journey, and take us back to how it all began. 

When I started Tierra I had just graduated from high school and was having difficulty navigating college. I’m the first person in my immediate family to go to college during the time of the internet and although both my parents went to college, they didn’t know how to navigate the college system online. Tierra was really helpful with that process. 

Where did you start your academic journey? 

Los Angeles Valley College. Also known as “Valley.” 

Did you know right off the bat what you wanted to study? 

Not really. I had a lot of ideas. I generally wanted to go into the arts, like media or social sciences, and now I have knowledge in both areas. 

That’s incredible! What did you major in? 

I went to Arizona State and majored in Applied Behavior Analysis, which is a form of psychology and covers all kinds of behaviors. My Bachelor’s is in Journalism, and I graduated from CSUN (California State University Northridge). 

Amazing! What was that experience like? How did Tierra’s College to Career Program help you? 

The program was great. Together, we mapped out the classes I wanted to take and they helped me enroll. I also learned how to use transportation. I didn’t know much about public transportation. My mother is a homebody and doesn’t travel much, so learning how to get around the city was helpful. 

What was the best thing about being at Tierra? 

The mentors. They understood me and knew where I was coming from. They were firm with me too, when they needed to be, and I appreciated that because I have a hard time with structure. The fact that they checked in consistently, took the time to work with me, while also giving me my space…it made a big difference in my journey. 

What would you tell potential students who might be interested in the program? 

I would say, GO FOR IT! It was super helpful for me, and even if it’s not for you, just give it a try. You never know until you try. Go after your dreams and just take it one step at a time. You can do it. 

The post The Unstoppable Rachel Nizinski appeared first on Tierra del Sol.

We are deeply committed to our values of person-centeredness, honesty, passion, respect, and full engagement. Our associates, families, and funders unanimously agree that they see these values in action throughout all we do. Take a look at the 2023 Satisfaction Survey Report on pages 4-5. We’re doing the work, but there is still so much more on the horizon. 

First, we must continue to advocate for our services at the State level. California is expected to face ongoing revenue shortages over the next several years. We must stand together so that these shortages do not translate to cuts in our services. We must continuously act to ensure that delays in funding, or even potential cuts, remain far from those we support and their direct support workers. Second, it is important to continue forging new pathways to employment by expanding paid internships and direct hire opportunities. Tierra must lead the way to become an organization that can tout an 80% employment rate for all. Finally, we must continue to innovate new ideas, practices, and services to meet the diverse needs of our associates and their remarkable dreams while driving safety throughout all we do. 

As always, thank you for your support. I hope you will continue to stand with us as we work to ensure that all people live productive and personally meaningful lives. 

Rebecca Lienhard, EdD Chief Executive Officer 

Click here to read our Summer edition of Tierra’s newsletter, Engage!

The post Survey respondents provide insightful feedback for the year ahead! appeared first on Tierra del Sol.

Dear Governor Newsom,

In solidarity with more than 430,000 Californians with developmental disabilities, we are advocating for the entire disability stakeholder community. We are self-advocates, parents and family members, service provider organizations and the direct support professional workforce, educators, employers, medical professionals, and the regional center service system all united as one to ask for your support.

For decades, disability services have been chronically underfunded. In 2019, a rate study commissioned by the State Legislature identified an ANNUAL gap of $1.8 Billion. With that information, the state established a path designed to honor the promise of the Lanterman Act, prioritizing the needs of our community with steps toward funding vital services and supports. Though this plan, the state of California promised to close the original funding gap with a final increase of $1 billion on July 1, 2024.

The proposal to delay that investment will have a devastating impact on the lives of Californians with disabilities, their families and the direct support workforce. As one of the largest delays or cuts in the proposed state budget, it sends a message that Californians with disabilities are not a priority to the state.

This disastrous proposal would only worsen the challenges the disability service system faces by weakening the already fragile direct support workforce shortage, reducing access to reliable services and decreasing opportunities for Californians with disabilities to live thier best life.

Californians with disabilities are relying on the state to keep its promise. This funding is critical to address the workforce crisis, improve access to services and supports and ensure that Californians with disabilities can THRIVE, not just survive. We need this funding on July 1, 2024 – it cannot wait any longer!

Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to be on a path to thrive, and pursue lives of impact, inclusion, dignity, and happiness.

Sincerely,

Californians who care, and the following organizations:

#KeepThePromise #TheFurtureIncludesUs #DisabilityRights #InclusionForAll #CABudget #IDDPathtoThrive

The post Open Letter to Governor Newsom from the Developmental Disabilities Community Re: Values & Priorities in State Spending appeared first on Tierra del Sol.

Bill Marshall, Finding My Path, 2023, acrylic on paper, 24 x 36″

Tierra del Sol Gallery presents Planet Abstract, guest curated by Tierra Studio artist Bill Marshall. Marshall has been with Tierra since 2016 and this is his first curatorial program at the gallery.

Marshall’s abstract works are in a call and response with his Tierra Studio mates Marlena Arthur, Manuel Guerrero, Ivan Saucedo, and John Peterson, reminiscent of the collective of California abstractionists. Also known as the Post Surrealists, these historic artists formed a working group to explore the sensorial richness of the world around them. This contemporary group of Tierra del Sol artists similarly use abstraction to convey physicality, mood, and movement. For example, Arthur’s formality and order empower her unique Black super woman imaginary, and Guerrero’s color block works vibrate like kinetic Karl Benajmin pieces. Peterson’s impasto paintings echo Lundeberg’s palette and landscape perspectives, and Saucedo and Marshall’s hard-edge works demonstrate how expansively Feitelson’s 1950s aesthetics inform California makers across light, time, and place.

Marshall also includes his own site-specific video titled “Strangers Evil and Good” in Planet Abstract that calls to mind John Baldessari’s early film work. Like Baldessari’s provocative videos, Marshall’s video is self-referential and fun. Marshall playfully superimposes himself dancing over his abstractions, taking a wonder-fueled trip through a speculative universe of color and geometry that lends itself to possibility rather than categorization and exclusion.

Planet Abstract is an opportunity to celebrate the experiences of a community of artists who share a passion for the genre of abstraction. Together, these artists interpret what lies inside and out, creating worlds of color and emotion through investigations of formalism and its freedom. Marshall and his cohort recognize that abstraction unites their diverse subject matter with a common language that transcends their different ethnicities, genders, and disabilities. As Marshall notes, “I am glad I have a disability, because I feel like I am a hero and my art is my power…I want to tell my story… and show how my team envisions abstraction in their own way, as their own power.”

Bill Marshall’s Planet Abstract opens at Tierra del Sol Gallery in West Hollywood on Saturday, March 9, with a reception from 6-8 pm. The exhibition is on view through April 20, 2024.

The post Tierra del Sol Presents Planet Abstract, A Group Exhibition Guest Curated by Bill Marshall & featuring abstract art by Marlena Arthur, Manuel Guerrero, Bill Marshall, Ivan Saucedo, & John Peterson appeared first on Tierra del Sol.