From Executive Director / Founder - Ed Lynch

Mychal is my daughter. She is also my inspiration. Soon after she was born, it became apparent that she was developmentally and physically disabled. Although doctors gave her only two years to live, Mychal’s spirit was amazing. She lived five and a half more years until her death in 1996. During that time, Mychal never lost her sense of humor or the love in her heart.  She taught me so much about life and the importance of today and, sadly, about the lack of resources, programs and services available to parents of children with developmental disabilities.

As a result, I have dedicated my life to creating programs that enable our youth with developmental disabilities to live independent, fulfilled and productive lives.   I’m grateful for the opportunity not only to honor the memory of my beloved daughter, but to also help countless families find peace of mind and greater purpose in life. By opening Mychal’s Learning Place our hopes are to provide children with developmental disabilities with an environment that is safe and loving, that encourages independence and builds self-esteem, that believes children should be seen and heard, and that we should challenge our children to succeed.

Mychal's Learning Place opened it's doors in Hawthorne, California on July 2, 2002. St. Joseph's Church has been very generous in giving us space to use. We are licensed for 24 children and are currently full. Because of the huge need we opened our second site in Culver City, April 2006. LA GOAL, an adult day program has been very generous in allowing us to use their space.

Mychal's Learning Place is a California Non Profit Corporation, 501 (c)3-95-4871202. Much of our funding comes from the Westside Regional Center and we also depend on our fundraising events, corporate donations and foundation support to cover all our costs.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Office: 310-297-9333
Fax: 310-297-9343
Email: info@mychals.org

SITE LOCATIONS
Hawthorne
11901 Acacia Ave
Hawthorne, California 90250

Culver City
4911 Overland Ave
Culver City, CA 90230

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT: Dora Rivas
The Real Estate Consultants
3206 Washington Blvd.
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

A parent of a child with developmental disabilities.

Past Board President and consultant of HOME, A Culver City based non-profit housing organization, which provides housing to adults with developmental disabilities.

Currently enrolled in college, working towards a degree in the area of Social work and advocacy for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Looks forward to retirement to pursue these interests.

VICE PRESIDENT: Petite Konstantin, M.P.A.
Executive Director
L.A.GOAL
10836 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, California 90232
(1985- current)

A Culver City, California, non-profit agency providing programs and services to adults with developmental disabilities. Currently serve as Personal Community Member of Haven House Board of Directors.
Haven House is a shelter for battered woman and children, Pasadena, California.

Brockport State University
MPA, Master Public Administration
BS: School Health Education
BS: Community Health Education
Credentialed teacher K-12  

TREASURER: Cathy Rapoza
Owner
Alice Peterson Co.
118 Center Street
El Segundo, California 90245

Manufacturer of Fine NeedlecraftI am a member of the El Segundo Optimist Club (since 2001) I have been active in a variety of El Segundo based programs; Girl Scouts, El Segundo Recreation Drama Program.

As a young adult I worked for a program in Washington called New Leaf, which provided independent living skills, social interactions, job skills to developmentally disabled adults, with the goal of becoming a self-sufficient adult.

SECRETARY: Dean Seligman
Edward Jones Investments
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-394-4001

Beth Medina
Past Board President of Mychal's Learning Place
Doctor of Psychology Candidate, Marriage and Family Therapy, CGI
MA, MFT, California Graduate Institute
BA History, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
BA in Political Science, UNC-Charlotte
Certificate in Paralegal Studies, Roosevelt University, Chicago
Member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
Owner of a Stained Glass Business

Adam Yoser, D.C.
Owner
Pacific Chiropractic & Natural Health
13050 San Vincente Blvd, suite 206
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310-260-7611
Dr. Adam Yoser is a practicing doctor of Chiropractic in Brentwood, California . He has been in practice for 15 years and specializes in sportsmedicine.  Dr. Yoser is a professor of sportsmedicine and serves on the Board of Directors of the Shiatsu Massage School of California.  Dr. Yoser has been selected as a staff doctor at numerous athletic events.  As well he has written articles for sports magazines and authored a continuing education class for the dental profession.

Jayne Goldman, M.B.A.
Parent
310-488-6209
Past Key Account Executive with ADVO INC, nations oldest and largest direct mail marketing firm
BA, Economics (UCLA)
MBA, Marketing (USC)

Kathy Harney

Mari L. Peters

Rhonda Meister

BOARD ADVISORS

Scott Graham
General Manager
Airport Propane Service
8613 Aviation Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90301
(1977- current)

Member of El Segundo Optimist Club (22 years).

Past Board President of Mychal's Learning Place
Offices held:
President: 3 terms
Vice President: 4 terms
Secretary/Treasurer: 6 terms
Board of Directors: 7 terms

Member Lawndale Optimist Club (7 years)

Pacific Southwest District Optimist International
Lt. Governor: 2 terms
District Secretary/Treasurer: 1 term
Assistant Governor: 1 term

Optimist Help them Hear Foundation
President: 15 terms

President of the Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services
Past board President
Member board of directors: 3 years
Board Secretary: 3 years
Vice President: 6 years
Chairman of programs committee: 3 years
Chairman Facilities committee: 6 years
Project manager capital building project
Volunteer of the Year 1999-2000
City of El Segundo citizen of the year 1995

Thomas Madruga J.D

Janet W. Doak, CFRE