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THE NASLUND & NASLUND FOUNDATION
HELPING US TO CHANGE LIVES
JULY NEWSLETTER
LIGHT OF HOPE / ISSUE 37 / JULY - 2026
Focusing on Community Integration for Adults with Diverse Abilities
SPLASHING INTO SUMMER
ENERGIZED BY THE SUN!
IN FOCUS
Joshua B.
This month, we are highlighting Josh! Josh's favorite activity is bowling, and he also enjoys participating in yoga and acting classes. His favorite field trip is visiting the Santa Monica Pier, and when it's time for lunch, he always enjoys going to The Habit.
Josh says his best friend at the program is KK, and his favorite staff member is Diego. What he loves most about the program is celebrating birthdays with everyone.
We're happy to have Josh as part of our program and look forward to making many more great memories together!
THIS MONTH IN JULY
This year, July 4th, marks the 250th Birthday of America! As we gather with friends and family to celebrate, let's take a moment to reflect on our journey as a nation and consider what we can do to uphold freedom and justice for everyone.
TEACHABLE MOMENTS
Here at Light of Hope, we love to take advantage of new opportunities that allow teachable moments. Thanks to Lisa Kodimer of Connecting a Caring Community, that LOH participants were introduced to pickleball at Calabasa Pickleball Club. With the assistance of community volunteers, our participants learned the art of pickleball playing. They were excited and eager to learn! Now, we have a new activity added to our list of things to do!
LOH participants posing with Lisa Kodimer of Connecting a Caring Community and the volunteers who assisted in making this event possible.
Hannah F. receives instructions on playing pickleball from a volunteer!
Zahamit K. proved to be a quick learner in the art of pickleball!
Heartstrings in Harmony
In the quiet corners, where memories bloom, Thoughts like soft whispers weave the room. Melodies linger in shadows of time, Hearts play the music, crafting the tune. Each note a reflection, a story to share, Faint echoes of laughter, and sighs that consume. Tuned to the rhythm of moments once passed, In fragile threads woven, we find our perfume. Time dances on strings that vibrate with grace, Holding the past close, our heart, like a loom. In the tapestry of dreams, where love once resided, Thoughts turn to poetry, in waves they'll resume.
FUN FACTS for JULY
Birth Flower: Lily
Gem Stone: Ruby
July is named after Roman Leader, Julius Caesar.
July was originally called Quintillas, the Latin word for five; it was the 5th month of the Gregorian Calendar.
Julius Caesar added the months, January and February to the calendar.
In the Northern Hemisphere, July is usually yhe hottest month of the year, with July 10, 1913 registering 134 degrees F.
Jly 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon, making it one of America's greatest scientific achievements.
July 4,1776, the 13 American Colonies declared its independence from the British.
The first international phone call was made on July 1, 1881. The call originated in the Canadian province of New Brunswick and was received in the US state of Maine.
AMERICA
LAND OF THE FREE - HOME OF THE BRAVE
On July 4, 2026, America commemorates its 250th year of independence from Britain's rule and the signing of The Declaration of Independence; an excerpt is printed below.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
In Congress, Jul y 4, 1776.
THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
When , in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them‘under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world...
WHAT'S HAPPENED
Join us each month as we carefully curate meaningful experiences designed to connect, inspire, and support our community. From local outings to exciting trips, every adventure embodies our mission to foster joy, learning, and a genuine sense of belonging. We invite you to be a part of these enriching moments that bring us closer together.
Ventura Harbor
A second group of Light of Hope participants enjoyed the enriching field trip to Ventura Harbor. Each field trip LOH take, we take the time and opportunity to stimulate minds.
Nicholas & Katy had a great time surfing at Ventura Harbor!
Katy, Nicholas & Zahamit sailing upon the waters aat Ventura Harbor!
Shoshana, Hannah, and Eden enjoying nature at Solstice Canyon in Malibu
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Crystal Barragan
Crystal consistently demonstrates exceptional reliability, professionalism, and dedication in her role as a support guide. She maintains outstanding attendance, arrives on time, and approaches each sift with a calm, focused, and positive attitude. Her communication skills are stong and effective; she interacts with clients and management respectfully and with clarity, offering reassurance and understanding, especially when clients are experiencing anxiety or heightened emotions.
Crystal frequently goes above and beyond her assigned duties, including supporting multiple clients at once during short-staffed periods while still maintaing high standards of care and attentiveness. She works confidently without supervision, showing sound judgment, strong decision-making skills, and a clear understnding of each client's unique needs. Crystal is a dependable team member whose willingness to assist coworkers, combined with her patience, observant nature, and professionalism, makes her an invaluable asset to the organization.
TEAM WORK
Light of Hope Community Integration Program fosters a collaborative environment where participants work together as a cohesive team, however, each individual has their own song to sing. By harnessing each individual's strengths, our program always encourages open communication, bondedness, and shared responsibilities to achieve common goals. Together, they tackle challenges and celebrate successes, creating a supportive community that empowers everyone involved. This teamwork not only enhances productivity but also builds lasting relationships among participants.
THE AUTHOR'S NEST
A July Aftenoon by the Pond/Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman's prose sketch mastery brings vivid imagery to life in "A July Afternoon by the Pond." As we read his words, we are transported to the serene place he describes, experiencing the tranquility of the pond for a fleeting moment.
"The fervent heat, but so much more endurable in this pure air-rhe white and pink pnd-blossoms, with great heart-shaped leaves; the glassy waters of the creek, the banks, with dense bushery, and the picturesque beeches and shade and turf; the tremulous, reedy call of some bird from recesses, breaking the warm, indolent, half-voluptous silence; and occasional wasp,hornet, honey-bee or bumble (they hover near my hands of face, yet annoy me not, nor I them, as they appear to examine, find nothing, and away they go)-the vast space of the sky, overhead so clear, and the buzzard up there sailing his slow whirl in majestic spirals, and discs; just over the surface of the pond, two large slate-color'd dragon-flies, with wings of lace, circling and darting and occasionally balancing themselves quite still, their wingss quivering all time, (are they not showing off for my amusement?)-the pond itself, with the sword-shaped calamus; the water snakes-occasionally a flitting blackbird, with red dabs on his shoulders, as he darts slantingly by-the sounds that bring out the solitude, warmth, light and shade-the quawk of some pond duck-(the crickets and grasshoppers are mute in the noon heat, but I hear the song of the first cicades;)-then at some distance the rattle and whirr of a reaping machine as the horses draw it on a rapid walk through a rye field on the opposite side of the creel-(what was the yellow or light brown bird, large as a yound hen, with short neck and long-stretch'd legs I just saw, in flapping and awkward flight over there through the trees?)-the prevailingdelicate, yet palpable, spicy, grassy, clovery perfume to my nostrils; and over all, encircling all, to my sight and soul, and free space of the sky, transpaarent and blue-and hovering there in the west, a mass of white-gray fleecy clouds the sailors call "shoals of mackerel"-the sky, with silver swirls like locks of toss'd hair, spreading, expanding-a vast voiceless, formless simulacrum-yet may-be the most real reality and formulator of everything-who knows?
CELEBRATING JULY BIRTHDAYS!!!
Heath Samuel Jenny Jack
Joshua Zulema Juan
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THE NASLUND & NASLUND FOUNDATION
LIGHT OF HOPE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION PROGRAM
28030 DOROTHY DRIVE, SUITE 206, AGOURA HILLS, CA 91301
(818) 879-4673