Special Thanks to Genevieve & Glen Ghilotti

Special Thanks to Team Ghilotti
Special Thanks to Hunter Spencer
Special Thanks to Wm. H. Donner Foundation
Special Thanks to John & Carri Hammett
Special Thanks to Annual Event volunteers!
Special Thanks to Tom & Carol Wise
Special Thanks to Care.com
"When you get the choice to sit it out or dance I hope you dance—I hope you dance. "
La Chris Foundation

TLC's
Time Line of Pursuits

began with the founders' vision of families with special needs
being able to easily access care providers and adventures!

Enjoy the following glimpse of our ongoing journey!

Established The LaChris Foundation February 27th '07
Including our 4 Board Members who are each still serving their first term
  • Began recruiting care providers, networked with families in need and rallied support of civic & faith based groups
  • TLC networks with local and national Organizations, like kind agencies and Marin's own Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL)
Pooled the wisdom, experience and efforts of several agencies who serve special needs families by forming Marin Respite & Childcare Collaborative (MRCC) who meet monthly beginning 3/26/07
  • Two private donors each generously contributed $5000 of funds which supported TLC's initial efforts, services and accomplishments.
  • Families enjoy respite via TLC 'connecting' them with care providers and our arrangement of and provisions for mountain-cabin get-aways!
"Kick-Off Event" May 2nd '07 bringing TLC families and supportive community together! Tremendous turn out of both volunteers and supporters
  • MRCC studies the various respite needs and defines a course of action. One priority is the need for an online, networking system.
  • Referrals come to TLC from teachers, social workers & families served. To date we've networked with nearly 40 families and 50 care providers!
TLC launches the unique "Meet the Parents" concept, an event where all family members are welcomed and entertained and can meet potential care providers that TLC has recruited!
  • Completed dba and entity change to The LaChris Connection, Inc. Non-profit 501 (c) (3) on August 27th 2007
  • Established the opportunity for local, Jr. College Psychology students to receive internship credits for working with the families that TLC serves!
3/26/08 MRCC sets 6 month goal to consult with care.com about their networking services. This goal is fast-tracked as MRCC meets with care.com's CEO on 4/30/08 who considers a "special needs vertical" of service!
  • TLC's Executive Director attends, and exhibits TLC's ideas, at the National Respite Conference in De Moines, Iowa
  • Our E.D. travel to care.com, Boston, MA for 2 days of collaborating with their internal teams on the development of a "Special Needs" branch of service!
Our 2nd Annual Celebration is held Friday, May 2nd, 2009. Once again TLC families and our supporters dance the night away to the Motown sounds of Pride & Joy!
  • "Meet the Parents" monthly gatherings continue to bring care providers to employers AND in becomes a traditional, Sunday outing for families who simply love being where they're welcomed and embraced!
  • Patsy Clairmont, national "Women of Faith" conference speaker, request permission to tell the story of the founders' daughter Laura and the conception of The LaChris Connection!
In September '08 TLC awards the Laura Bruce Memorial Scholarship at San Marin High School, the year that she would have graduated. Senior Patrick McLaughlin received the certificate and cash award for outstanding service and friendship to the disabled students of the "Special Day Class"
  • Thanks to the supportive friends of TLC inviting others to our annual events, TLC is awarded a $5,000 grant via an attendee's private, family foundation.
  • TLC presents at fairs & events and to agencies & social workers in the special needs arena in order to reach more families with our much needed services
November 2008 the Godoy Family of 5, including their delightful, physically disabled, 17 year old son Carlos, embraced the gift of an all expenses paid vacation to Disneyland. The family enjoyed respite, recreation and relaxation that The LaChris Connection believes is healing and fortifying.
  • TLC becomes an "affiliate" of care.com. Each membership subscription made through TLC earns us $50! This fundraising effort can benefit supporters for only a $30 investment!
  • *TLC's MRCC participates in 9 months of weekly phone consults with care.com reviewing proper terms and etiquette, diagnoses, common medical and personal needs and even logos & colors.
The for-profit Care.com's study of MRCC's pilot group confirms the need . On December 12th 2008, following *9 months of collaborations, care.com launches its NATIONAL "Special Needs" vertical which networks families with care providers who work with the disabled!
  • MRCC joins with Marin Autism Collaborative to address the dire need for ongoing trainings of care-providers and others working with special needs.
  • TLC brings its care provider orientation, support and training ideas to a family foundation whose administrator has a similar vision for the equipping of those who serve children with disabilities
Our 3rd Annual Even, May 2009, confirms it! The Pride & Joy dance party is a MUST DO tradition! Though, we also learned, TLC's fund raising may need to rely on other means
  • TLC's relationship with CA Respite Association continued at the CA Respite Summit where we agreed to stay involved with the ongoing discussions focused upon California receiving its portion of 'LifeSpan' federal funding.
  • Grant research and proposal writing continues as we apply to CVS Pharmacy and other foundations who are sensitive to our missions. Volunteers are helping with these and monthly event rosters.
September 23-24th, 2009 TLC is represented at the ARCH sponsored National Respite Conference where our executive director facilitated one of the breakout sessions which was entitled "The 3 Rs of Respite - Reason, Respect & Relationship"