On the Horizon

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6stripped the word “retarded” from State Laws. Next we changedour Articles of Incorporation which made it possible to open upthe board to more members. Previously you had to be a familymember to be on the board. That’s not so anymore. Finally weupdated our bylaws. Now New Horizons has broadened itself toserve “individuals” as opposed to just adults with special needs.OTH: You’ve gotten a lot done. What’s been your greatest accomplishmentin all of it?GS: Everything I just said. No seriously, I would have to say theresponse the board received from CARF (Commission on Accreditationof Rehabilitation Facilities). New Horizons recentlyreceived a 3 year accreditation from the organization which isthe highest level you can get. When they looked at our board’sgovernance manual they said it was the best they had ever seen.They even suggested that we consider selling it to other nonprofitswho were unable to put such a document together. Thatdocument speaks to how New Horizons’ board operates in governingthe agency. It was drafted by me and Joyce Feucht-Haviar,a past board member on the Governance committee who nowsits on New Horizons Emeritus Council. At her suggestion wemoved forward and did an excellent job. Good enough to sell.Dr. and Mrs. David Lillington with Gene SicilianoOTH: What would you say has been your biggest challenge aschairman?GS: I mentioned it already. The potential loss of the LA MetroGrant…and looking for new funding sources. That challengewill always be. Another challenge I suppose has been decidingto build out the Administration Annex building. We’re movingforward with that decision, so I guess you could say that’s achallenge that’s been met.OTH: Now tell me, after all this (and it’s a lot) what has beenyour biggest surprise as chairman?New Horizons recently received a 3 yearaccreditation, the highest level possible,from the Commission on Accreditation ofRehabilitation Facilities (CARF) organization.GS: The degree to which the Board of Directors has stepped upto all the challenges and day to day issues. What comes to mind isboard member Ken Miles, who in his first year as board memberran the Golf Tournament and made it into a major success. Andthen there’s Stuart Jaffe who jumped on the Strategic Planningcommittee at a time when we have to make some major strategicplans. All of our board members are actively fulfilling their rolesa lot earlier than expected. It’s exciting to see. It’s exciting forNew Horizons and our clients too.
7Achievement Center ExpansionMakes Room for MoreNew Horizons has taken a big step with our City of LA fundedAchievement Center expansion project. Having begun the workin mid-November and completed it in mid-January, our newlearning facilities and office space accommodates our ever growingclient population. With more than a hundred clients nowparticipating in the programs provided by the AchievementCenter, New Horizons has had to consistently offer a number ofspecialty type programs often in cramped quarters. Making dowith the space that is, clients have been exposed to art (painting,ceramics and fine art), computer learning, community integrationand skill development, safety within the community, and daytrips around the city. When plans were being made to expandthe Achievement Center’s physical space the idea was to add tothese services, offering even more diversification. To that end,many members of the staff are looking forward to getting started.“We appreciate the funding support, and thank Los AngelesCouncilman Mitch Englander and his staff for their help withthe project.” says Gay Wane, Director of the Achievement Center,who is very much aware of what the expansion means adding,“With the additional space we are going to feel even more challengedto develop programs that address the needs of our widergrowing client population.”
Page 1 and 2: On the HorizonA publication of New
Page 3 and 4: 3A Tale ofTwo BrothersMike Wilson f
Page 5: A Conversation with Gene SicilianoC
Page 9 and 10: New Horizons Extends Itself through
Page 11 and 12: 11Board of DirectorsOfficersGene Si

On the Horizon

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