Mychal is my daughter. She is also my inspiration. Two years 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
Join us on Facebook: Friends of Mychal's Learning Place
SITE LOCATIONS Hawthorne 11901 Acacia Ave Hawthorne, California 90250
Culver City 4911 Overland Ave Culver City, CA 90230
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT: Rhonda Meister
Philanthropic and Non-Profit Consultant Parent, Former Director of St. Joseph’s Center, Venice California Board member: NETWORK
Vice President, Bank of Manhattan, Community Relations Officer
Michael Flaherty'
CEO L5 Real Estate Investments
Apartment Acquistions & Asset Mgmt
Community Chairman, MBYP(Manhattan Beach Young Professionals)
USC, MBA
Jayne Goldman, M.B.A.
Parent, Member, CA Consortium for Post Secondary Options for People with Developmental Disabilities Member, Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism Transition Task Force
Kathy Harney
Executive Assistant – Legal Services Group, Toyota Motor Sales
Thomas Hill
Union Bank Vice President-Commercial Banking, Los Angeles
Edward Lynch Executive Director/Founder of Mychal's Learning Place
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
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.
BOARD ADVISORS
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.
