A Full-Life

Dear Friends of Lifehouse,

It’s hard to know where to begin in our praise of Lifehouse. There’s much good to share.

Our 33-year-old daughter Tamsin has been supported by Lifehouse for 8 years. After false starts at a Supported Living Services (SLS) program in Napa and a return home for a year, Tamsin became a resident at Sweetwater Spectrum, a community in Sonoma for young adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Tamsin was one of the first of sixteen residents. Our family was lucky that Tamsin’s house was managed by Lifehouse from the start. On seeing the extraordinary care Tamsin was receiving, Lifehouse soon became the sole service provider for all residents at Sweetwater.

Living in a house with three roommates, Tamsin thrived at Sweetwater. Though there were certainly tough times, Lifehouse was always there to support Tamsin, and us. After five years at Sweetwater, Tamsin sought more independence and moved to her own apartment nearby and she continues to receive SLS through Lifehouse. Some of her same Lifehouse staff have been with her since the beginning 8 years ago. They are like a second family. Prior to the pandemic, Tamsin volunteered a day a week in the kindergarten class at Sonoma’s Sassarini Elementary School, and has since been taking online classes in child development at Santa Rosa Junior College. Her goal is to work with children with I/DD.

Tamsin has come a long way and Lifehouse has been an important part of that journey. We can’t imagine life without Lifehouse.

The pandemic has been a challenge for all direct care professionals. More than ever they need our help in these tough times. Please join us in making a gift to Lifehouse so they can continue their exceptional work in supporting those with developmental disabilities.

Thank you,

Bo & Patric Kearns

Parents

Everyone has a story to share. A Full Life is a collection of inspirational videos featuring the individuals supported by Lifehouse telling their own stories and truths as they learn and grow within the community. Hear from Tamsin in her own words here.

Growth in the North Bay

In recent years, Lifehouse has grown significantly as an organization, now supporting over 370 individuals in Marin and Sonoma Counties. In the North Bay, we are now supporting about 117 individuals, compared to just 26 individuals four years ago. Our new expanded office space in Petaluma provides opportunity for collaboration and support for our North Bay staff and community.

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Our growth in the North Bay can be seen in the ILS program, which is designed to provide training and promote independence. The ILS program provides funding for up to 35 hours of staffing support per month and focuses on developing living skills that include budgeting, medical support and medication management. This for some is just enough to keep them living a more independent life. A person is eligible for services regardless of whether he or she is renting their own place or living with family.

We have seen an increase in the need for this type of service in Sonoma County. This program has doubled in size in the past four years.

 
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 One resident who recently joined our ILS program is Sonja. With the help of Lifehouse staff, she has been able to maintain daily routines and activities. Sonja loves the interactions with her staff, who help her with independent living skills and activities such as cooking, making appointments, depositing checks, and taking medication. Her staff also help her with communication and relationship skills. She is grateful to be able to maintain her independence with the assistance of her Lifehouse counselor.

"Your Mama Don't Dance"

In an interview with Chuck Hansen, we’re given the behind the scenes look on the re-recording of famous 50-year-old track “Your Mama Don’t Dance” by Loggins & Messina. Hansen has been rubbing elbows and jamming out with music legends like Tower of Power and Huey Lewis, and the News and now Lifehouse will come to benefit from it all.

Chuck Hansen’s passion for music was first sparked by his brother teaching him how to play the clarinet in the 2nd grade. His exploration as a musician soon led him to the baritone sax which would later spark the nickname Chuck “Bari” with close friends and fellow musicians. Although Chuck’s studies took him to UC Berkeley for his BS and UCLA for his MBA, he continued to play brass at night clubs for fun.

While Chuck continued on to a career as an environmental entrepreneur and private impact investor and has founded several successful companies in these fields, he spent all his spare time playing sax for various artists and bands, both live and as a studio musician at his studio, called The Track Shack Studios, in Sacramento.

Fast forward to 2005—Chuck’s relationship with Tower of Power lead guitarist and executive producer, Jeff Tamelier, leads to an introduction to Huey Lewis in NYC. This soon led to Chuck “standing-in” the horn section at several performances from Squaw Creek Olympic Village, to the coveted AT&T Pro Am Band, and parties at Clint Eastwood’s Tehama Golf Club. Chuck was in with the Rock and Hollywood royalty gang, but with a laugh he says, “he was hanging on by a thread.” 

The conversation around a collaboration on “Your Mama Don’t Dance” started in 2008. Despite their friendship that had grown around playing music and golf, Chuck admits that he was hesitant to ask Huey to sing on the track with him and The Shackers. A deal was then brokered with the encouragement of mutual friend Jeff Tamelier. Soon thereafter, Huey flew out from Montana to start recording at The Track Shack Studios. There was not an exchange of funds to make the track happen, so it was decided that a charity should benefit from the sales of the new interpretation of “You’re Mama Don’t Dance”. This is when Huey introduced Chuck to Lifehouse and his work as the Honorary Chair of the annual fundraising gala, Great Chefs and Wineries.

It’s been in the making for 10 years, but the track is now available for purchase with 100% of the proceeds going to support Lifehouse programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The big hearts of these musicians can truly be felt throughout the track! We hope that you will purchase, download, and enjoy this very special version of “Your Mama Don’t Dance” by Chuck Bari & The Shackers featuring Huey Lewis. The track is available on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Beatport, and Spotify. 

Featuring the Lifehouse Great Chefs and Wineries Community Partners

This year has been tremendously challenging on all of us but more so on small and local businesses. Great Chefs and Wineries is our annual fundraising event to raise funds for services and programs for individuals we support here at Lifehouse. This event (even when it’s virtual) is not possible without the generosity of all our Great Chefs and Wineries Community Partners. So, in an effort to say thanks to these amazing businesses, we have put together the ultimate holiday food and wine gift guide.

Just because you may not be able to relish in a festive meal and fine wine with your loved ones this year doesn’t mean that you can’t gift it or bring home to enjoy yourself! Please join us in supporting these incredible businesses because they need your help now more than ever.  Click through below to find a gift that truly says “I care” this holiday season.

*Click on the photos to take you to these wonderful gift package, gift card, and takeout options for this holiday season.*

Virtual Tasting Event with Thirty-Seven Wines

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Lifehouse is proud to be partnering with Thirty-Seven Wines to bring you a Virtual Wine Tasting event via Zoom on Sunday, July 19, 2020. 15% of the proceeds and any related sales will be donated to Lifehouse! These funds will help Lifehouse with increased payroll expenses for our dedicated Direct Support Staff as they continue to keep our Lifehouse Residents healthy and safe throughout this pandemic. There are no Covid 19 cases among our staff and clients. We hope to cheers to this success with you!

Having a glass of wine with our friends and family is something that we've all been missing during these challenging times. We encourage you to share this experience with your community, and invite your friends and family to participate. It's virtually like meeting for a drink, or you can even gift a tasting pack to someone from afar. It's a creative and fun opportunity to connect with those special people in your life!

THE LINE-UP

TASTE THREE AWARD-WINNING WINES: The Virtual Tasting will be led by highly renowned Wine Maker, Shane Finley.

2016 Reserve Thirty-Seven Chardonnay

Awards & Ratings: Top 100 wines in Sonoma County: 2019 Sonoma Magazine, 90 Points: 2019 Wine Enthusiast, 98 Points: Gold Medal, Best of Class, 2019 North Coast Wine Challenge.

2015 Reserve Thirty-Seven "Hermit" Red

Awards & Ratings: 90 Points, 2019 Wine Enthusiast: Gold Medal, 2018 SF International Wine Competition, 92 Points: Wine & Spirits Magazine June 2018

2015 Reserve Thirty-Seven Pinot Noir

Awards & Ratings: 92 Points: James Suckling Nov. 22nd 2018, 90 Points: 2018 Pinotfile.

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TO PARTICIPATE: ORDER THE 3-PACK OF FINE WINES

BY FRIDAY, JULY 10TH $122 (plus tax & shipping).

Pick up available at the Lifehouse Office. For those who live out of state and want to participate, shipping is dependent on the weather. Please call the Lifehouse office to discuss options.

Buy any Thirty-Seven Wines using the code “lifehouse”.  When used at checkout 15% of the proceeds from that sale will go to Lifehouse. Share this code as it applies to all sales up to July 31st!

ABOUT THIRTY-SEVEN WINES

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Thirty-Seven Wines produces remarkable, small-lot wines handcrafted from high quality sustainably-grown grapes from their estate in the Petaluma Gap AVA. Defined by the wind and located along the southern tip of the Sonoma Coast, their cool-climate, award winning wines are rich and complex with well-balanced acidity and tannins.

The proprietors Al and Lisa Brayton are a Major Sponsor and Participating Winery at our annual Great Chefs and Wineries event every year. Their commitment to supporting Lifehouse and the individuals we support is truly outstanding. Lifehouse is grateful for this very important community partnership.

Elevate Your Tasting

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ORDER THE "CHEESE CHAT" BOX

BY FRIDAY, JULY 10TH $35

Use Code: FREESHIP9 for Free shipping!

The "Cheese Chat" Sample Box by Pedrozo Dairy & Cheese Co

Look no further then the "Cheese Chat" sample box to make your Virtual Tasting experience complete.

Northern Gold

Black Butte Reserve

Havarti

30% of the proceeds from each sample box will help Lifehouse with increased payroll expenses for our dedicated Direct Support Staff as they continue to keep our Lifehouse Residents healthy and safe throughout this pandemic.

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ABOUT PEDROZO DAIRY & CHEESE CO

Pedrozo Dairy & Cheese Co produces high quality, traditional farmstead cheese. Their family-run, grass-fed dairy and cheese operation is committed to sustainable and responsible stewardship. There cows have year-round access to the outdoors and graze on natural grasses as long as the pastures are in bloom.

Pedrozo Dairy & Cheese Co was an honorary participant of Great Chefs & Wineries 2020. Lifehouse is thankful for their support for the Virtual Tasting and we look forward to growing our community partnership!

Home for Life

Joy | Independence | Connection

The dreams and aspirations of those we serve to live a full life remain front and center to our mission, even now, in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis.

Last year, when Lifehouse celebrated it’s 65th anniversary, we launched the capital campaign, Home for Life: Campaign for a Permanent Home for Lifehouse. Our new headquarters will help control operating costs and provide us with a permanent home from which to offer a lifetime of services. Lifehouse provides an array of services and support that facilitates a full life for over 360 people with developmental disabilities in the Bay Area. We also want to acknowledge our 400+ staff who are working every day to get us through this crisis.

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Lifehouse will rise to this challenge with ingenuity, compassion, and resilience. We are facing challenges to our operations, fundraising, and advocacy for our staff and the people we support. In times like these, Lifehouse and other nonprofit organizations in our community stand shoulder-to-shoulder, and we encourage you to support our efforts. Lifehouse needs you now more than ever.

Warmest regards,

 
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Nancy Dow Moody

President & CEO

LIVE NOW: Lifehouse Virtual Experience

Dear Friends,

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted Lifehouse. Day and work program services have closed, requiring Lifehouse staff to work overtime, now that all the people we provide services to are “sheltered in place” in their own homes.

Therefore, it is with a heavy heart, that for the first time in Great Chefs & Wineries 30 year history we will not be holding our event. Instead, we are offering A Virtual Experience available to all.

We need your help more than ever! Please put your electronic devices to work for Lifehouse. Online Bidding is available! Donations are encouraged.

Thank you for supporting the 360 people that Lifehouse supports and the 400+ wonderful staff who are working diligently to get us through this crisis.

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Nancy Dow Moody, President & CEO

To Register for Online Bidding

Go to gcw2020.givesmart.com or

Text "gcw2020" to 76278

The Lifehouse Virtual Experience

Open until 5:00 PM, April 18, 2020

Premier Silent Auction The Lifehouse

Wine Room Hand-selected by Great Chefs Wine Committee

Fine Jewelry & Art

Specialty Items

You won't be spending $350 for a ticket to Great Chefs & Wineries this year. Instead, please consider purchasing 5 tickets for $300.

You won't be spending $350 for a ticket to Great Chefs & Wineries this year. Instead, please consider purchasing 5 tickets for $300.

Huey Lewis Honorary ChairmanPhoto by Deanne Fitzmaurice

Huey Lewis Honorary Chairman

Photo by Deanne Fitzmaurice

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NEXT YEAR

GREAT CHEFS & WINERIES 2021

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Great Chefs & Wineries Goes Virtual

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Dear Lifehouse Community,

For the first time in Great Chefs & Wineries 30-year history, it is with a heavy heart that Lifehouse regretfully must cancel the April 18 2020 event. This event is a significant fundraiser for Lifehouse. I am grateful for your patience as we have explored other options and we are excited to announce that we will move from a physical event to a virtual event!

Because the auction is such a critical part of our fundraising efforts, Lifehouse will really need your help in offsetting the lost revenue from this cancelation. We will be holding a “Virtual Silent Auction”. Auction items will be available to bid starting April 3, with new items added regularly. The silent auction will close at 5:00 PM on Saturday, April 18, 2020, the date our event was originally scheduled.

We are also working with our auctioneer, Damon Casatico, in presenting a “Virtual Live Auction” with some fabulous experiences. The list of “live auction” items will be available to review prior to April 18. Details to follow. Please remember that Great Chefs & Wineries generates a substantial portion of the funds raised by Lifehouse each year, thus we urge you to participate in the online auction and raffle, and also to encourage your friends to participate. Stay tuned for more details on our virtual event.

With the cancellation of the physical event, Lifehouse would like to extend the following options to those who have already purchased tickets and reserved tables:

1. Donate your ticket and/or table to Lifehouse and receive a tax deduction for the full purchase price.

2. If you would like to receive a refund, please contact Nancy Dow Moody

at 415-526-5309.

Please remember we will continue to recognize our sponsors, restaurants, wineries and other vendors in upcoming advertising, newsletters, and social media.

Thank you for supporting Lifehouse and the over 360 people with developmental disabilities that we serve and our 400+ wonderful staff who are working diligently to get us through this crisis.

Sincerely,

 
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Nancy Dow Moody

President & CEO

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#THANKFUL for HEALTH :: There is no greater form of wealth then our health. #bestnonprofit #marinnonprofit #lifehouse #afulllifelived
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