I became aware of Creative Steps by introduction by a friend as a request for a donation. As a business owner in the Conejo Valley I'm approached by may charities, all with worthy causes. But Creative Steps really hit the mark for me.
An amazing group of parents working tirelessly to help their children manuvere through a difficult situation in our society.
The dedication of this organization is unsurpassed.
We are coming up on ten years with the program. and are so grateful to have had it as a transitional bridge from high school to our son Daniel's adult life. I love that he and his program friends are out there every day: taking buses, checking out museums and farmers markets, going to the park, walking around the community, because---as we were reminded in our first parents meeting--it is their community too. We also know that he is always surrounded by caring, thoughtful people, who treat all of the clients with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Creative Steps has been a true blessing for our family and a wonderful home away from home for our daughter, Leslie. The staff are incredible caring and attentive, giving each client the individualized attention they need to thrive. Their dedication and warm, loving environment make a world of difference in her life, and it’s the best program she’s been part of. We’re so grateful for this exceptional place and the peace of mind it brings.
Ellen & Barry Dorfman
An outstanding organization offering wonderful opportunities and education to a well-deserving group.
My son has been a part of this wonderful community based program. He engages in meaningful activities that address his physical, mental, and emotional well-being! He has found a home, which is everything I have ever wanted for him!
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Creative Steps has been a godsend for our adult son and our family. The program is unique in our community, affording our son, and the other adults, the opportunity to experience a full life. A life where he is able to explore his interests, supported by staff that sees his strengths and helps him to move through his limitations. He says "this is my family". We feel the same!
We have friends who are part of this amazing program and love hearing about the planned activities to get the adults out into the community. My son has spent time with some of these peers at the farmers market, in the park and on excursions to museums. We hope he will one day be part of this program.
It’s a wonderful program for the parents and friends of participants, too. The fundraisers are a great (and affordable) way for parents to spend time with one another and create their own community of families with similar challenges.
Warm and welcoming, caring and helpful, Creative Steps is a great program—including for people who require one:one attention.
I am very impressed with Aurelia Foundation/Creative Steps' programs and staff. They walk their talk, and their dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities is palpable. As a fellow professional in the field, I love seeing other agencies like this one raise the bar for us all. Bravo! Brava!
My loved one has been a client of Creative Steps for just under a decade. His quality of life and ability to self advocate as an autistic adult in his community is directly a result of Creative Steps' support. The staff, leadership and therapeutic approach are superior. Their integrity and mission exceed any other similar organizations in our community. Creative Steps is the best there is.
I love this program! Is great to integrate our clients in the community everyday. Creative Steps is always looking for new projects and ideas for our clients. I’m very happy to be part of this caring and wonderful team.
Creative Steps is a wonderful organization that makes a difference every day in the lives of our men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I work closely with many of the families that attend Creative Steps programs and know first hand the incredible work they do.
Did you know that Alabama's Nick Saban has an 8-year $93.6 million dollar deal making him the highest-paid college football coach? The average football coach in 2022 earned $1.75 million. In 2018 SUNY-Albany took two years to renovate an old fountain and water tower at a cost of $20 million. What's my point? Instead of donating to your alma mater, where you have no idea how the money might be squandered, you will get a much bigger bang for your buck by contributing to the bottom line at Creative Steps. The Creative Steps CEO is unpaid, the staff is 100% dedicated, and you know exactly how funds are allocated to support families with diverse abilities.
Im so grateful for Creative Steps, working there has taught me a lot. We are in the community everyday and my client loves it!
I’m so grateful for the Creative Steps program! It provides caring, professional support to many families! We’ve been lucky to have my nephew Michael be a part of the program! I believe that his dad can help take Creative Steps to new heights! Please help us support this outstanding organization!
Creative Steps is a remarkable program that has such an intentional, wonderful sense of community. I cannot recommend it highly enough, having worked there and having experienced its magic myself.
The Aurelia Foundation's Creative Steps community based day program is arguably the best individualized curriculum helping people with moderate to severe developmental and physical disabilities live the most fulfilling life possible. From job support, to social skills development, life skills coaching, and facilitating entertainment, sports, other activities, and more...this program provides a community of families with the support they need.
The Aurelia Foundation is an exceptional organization helping adults with various disabilities meet their full potential. My son has been a client for over 5 years and has greatly improved in his daily living skills, community integration and overall confidence and happiness. This program focuses on each individual client's unique strengths and challenges while providing the support and guidance necessary to be successful and thrive.
Truly making a positive impact for a better future.
Thank you!!
. I am writing to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for everything you do for our special needs adults. Your program has truly been a beacon of hope and a source of incredible transformation in the lives of not only my son, but also many others in our community.
From the moment my son became a part of Creative Steps, I witnessed a remarkable change in him. The sense of belonging, the joy of being with friends who understand and accept him for who he is, and the opportunity to engage in activities tailored to his needs have had an immeasurable impact on his overall well-being. It's as if he has found his second family, a place where he can grow, express his true self, and thrive.
The dedication and hard work that you and your team put into this program are truly commendable. It is evident that you genuinely care about the individuals you serve, going above and beyond to create a nurturing and empowering environment. Your tireless efforts have not only made a difference in the lives of our special needs adults but have also touched the hearts of their families and the entire community.
In light of the tremendous impact you have made, it is my sincere wish to see Creative Steps receive the recognition it truly deserves. I firmly believe that your program should be hailed as an exemplary model for other organizations and communities to follow. Your commitment to inclusivity, personal growth, and fostering a sense of belonging is what sets Creative Steps apart.
With sincerest appreciation,
Kareen Weidenfeller
Aurelia has given our daughter Leslie Paige a great life. She is able to get out into the community and interact with people. As parents, this is what we want for our children. Leslie comes home happy because she is able to mingle with friends and enjoy the fresh air. Even with masking she likes to be out and about.
Our Daughter has been a client at Creative Steps, a program run by the Aureiia Foundation, since 2012. She was Creative Steps first client the summer she finished her Transition Program at Santa Monic High School. By that September there were 8 other clients who joined her. Create now has three location in the Los Angels Area serving more than 50 clients.
Create has helped her obtain a job which she loves and has provided her with many experiences from excising at the YMCA, music programs weekly, museums trips and fun dances during the holidays.
She is one happy young adult that looks forward to her day at Create very morning.
Karen and Jeffrey Paris.
Aurelia Foundation is an exceptional group of individuals dedicated to enabling adults with developmental disabilities and diverse abilities to access their community successfully. They are out of the box thinkers are able to support individuals with diverse needs.
The Aurelia Foundation by far exceeds all expectations as a foundation and role model for adults with special needs and has by far exceeded their original goals by expanding their facilities to accommodate the individuals that so thrive from the organizations personalized program to facilitate all of the individuals that participate. Such an EXCEPTIONAL group of people! Changing lives for the better, one day at a time, creating friendships for a life time!
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Last year I visited my grandson James at the Creative Steps Program and found an incredible and dedicated staff. Their interactive programs have been key in helping my grandson with social and community integration. I highly recommend them.
With so many youth here lacking access to adequate treatment and solutions, I find the Aurelia Foundation programs to be vital in helping to lead an important change for this generation.
Our help and support can go a long way!
Rosita Raffo
Always happy to support this amazing organization and the awesome young adults it benefits!
What a great community !
I have been donating to Aurelia foundation for several years now. It is an amazing organization dedicated to lovingly helping adults with special needs. It is run with great care, love and consistency. Their annual Gala is always so organized, inspiring and heart-warming to see the success they have in impacting the lives of not only the young adults they serve but the parents as well by providing them comfort and ease of mind. This is one of of my favorite non-profits not only because of what they do and how they do it - the outpouring of love that they generate is truly remarkable.
It is truly a gift to our family to support the Aurelia Foundation. My precious niece is a member of the Aurelia family and is surrounded by a loving community every day. She has the opportunity to be cared for while also experiencing as much independence as she can with her disabilities. The people involved with this organization work tirelessly to provide an environment to enrich the lives of these young adults. I believe in the mission of this organization and its leadership. Our family will continue to support the Aurelia Foundation and will continue to share the message to promote its growth and funding for the future.
Aurelia Foundation's Creative Steps Community Integration Program allows my special needs son to have experiences usually reserved for neuro-typical unchallenged adults. The program allows individuals to help direct their program based on their desires and interests are nurtured. The program has established affiliations with local businesses, a city government, a synagogue, a church, a university and other nonprofit organizations offering the participants work exposure in an organic farm, working with animals, opportunities in arts & crafts, painting, singing, dancing, working out, cooking, volunteering and micro-enterprise development. They get to have a gallery opening where their artwork is on display at the university for the year. When not transported by Aurelia vehicles, the participants learn to ride public transportation. They visit museums, libraries, farmers markets, parks, community centers, take hikes, ride bicycles, go to the beach and many other educational and entertaining locations. Also important, the program allows its participants to have friendships they would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. This program can only maintain and expand its high level of care and experiences with generous donations. Please join me in supporting the Aurelia Foundation.
Aurelia Foundation meets a current desperate need for young adults with developmental challenges. Aurelia is a "Win Win" organization--benefitting those that are served and those that serve. I love the opportunities Aurelia gives the clients and their families and the welcoming presence for those who can volunteer while learning about inclusion and diversity.
I am a grateful parent of a child who has served this community, a loving aunt of one who is within this incredible community, and a neighbor of those who are well-served by this community
Sincerely
Charlene Underhill Miller, PhD
I have seen firsthand, the dedication and commitment from the individuals who are leading this amazing program. The individuals behind this nonprofit are selfless. They have truly created a community where special needs individuals can learn and grow together as a family and integrate these skills into their daily life, furthermore enhancing their life as a whole. Thank you for this essential program that you have all nurtured and created.
We support this wonderful charity for their great and caring leadership and staff and because it is the only provider for care for our special needs young adults coming out of the public school system. It truly takes a village and this village is making a difference and developing these kids into strong, productive, beautiful adults.
Everyone involved in this organization values this highly impacted community, and believes in their continued ability to learn and participate in the world outside the home.
It was a pleasure to spend a morning observing the activities of some of the different groups involved in the program.
We have 2 friends who have children in this program. It has been so heart warming to know that their children have a place to go to feel safe and to be stimulated everyday in every way. The Creative Steps program is a vital part of their happy and fulfilling lives. Thanks to you Aurelia!
The Aurelia Foundation, and it's Creative Steps program, is my favorite nonprofit. It has been a joy watching this foundation from inception to where it is now, a successful and productive program serving the needs of adults with special needs. I have supported this foundation for years, and will continue to do so because I believe in their mission and have seen that the Board and staff make things happen and provide amazing services to their clients. This group saw a compelling need - special needs children who aged out of services provided by the school system but who still needed, and deserved, daily challenges, goal setting and interaction with the community. Creative Steps provides these things through its programs to better the lives of these young adults. The Aurelia Foundation has done great work, and I hope it continues to be fully funded so that it may grow and offer services to more and more young adults.
It has been my honor to support the Aurelia Foundation for the last three years. My dear friends have a severely disabled daughter who attends the Aurelia program 5 days a week.
She is able to interact within the community because of the love, determination, consideration, and caring that is provided by this organization and their staff. The participants are given opportunities of support, friendship, and celebration that might not be afforded them without Aurelia. The families of children with disabilities are able to provide their children with an active life on a daily basis in this program. I am overwhelmed by the courage and conviction of the Aurelia Foundation and support them with all my heart. I know financial support is part of keeping this program operating and available. I would urge and encourage you to join me and donate to this outstanding effort.
My best friend’s daughter is part of this program and I have seen so much joy and personal growth in her since being part of this community.
Families finding a solution for disabled teenagers finishing high school and suddenly having no structured place to go was one of the motivations to begin this highly successful and important foundation. For the last 4 years, I've attended the yearly fundraiser which highlights the foundations work and each year the list of accomplishments grows. Big kudos to all the people who have come together to provide such a valuable service to this community.
I send my monthly donations to Aurelia/Creative Steps because of the wonderful work they do with this underserved group of people. They are always pursuing additional ways to enrich the lives of their clients and to broaden their inclusion into society as a whole. I love seeing all the photos of the activities and the joy on the clients' faces. The organization is transparent regarding how the funds are used and I appreciate that. Their commitment and devotion to the work is obvious.
The Aurelia Foundation helps people with special needs have a full life. They run a program called Creative Steps, helping young adults in the workplace.
My step-daughter works for them and has found that working there changes her life. She feels a tremendous sense of accomplishment and fulfillment helping people meet the challenges of their life, and she loves making a difference in the world,. They are amazing to work for, kind and intelligent.
The employees at the foundation know what it takes to help special needs people realize their potential and they help them do it. Every one I know who had a child in the program, loves it because it fosters a sense of accomplishment and belonging. And the clients grow tremendously!
Every community should be so lucky to have the Aurelia Foundation in their neighborhood. With a large grant they could expand and help more communities.
The Aurelia Foundation runs a great program called Creative Steps, based in Santa Monica, Westlake Village and the South Bay of Los Angeles. Fantastic day program for young adults with disabilities. My son is in the program and we are so pleased with the service they provide.
This is a wonderful organization! I have worked with them for about seven months, and the care and joy they bring to their clients is palpable. They are innovative, energized, and responsible. You couldn't ask for a better experience for your loved one with special needs.
My daughter katie goes to the creative steps program run by Aurelia. In the past year and a half the changes in katie have been incredible! She goes out in the community everyday experiencing life with peers. This has been an uplifting and rewarding experience beyond our expectations! We love Aurelia!
The Aurelia Foundation means the world to me. My family found the organization after years of searching for a community that James, my younger brother, could be apart of. Since discovering Aurelia, my brother wakes up every day smiling and excited to go to the Creative Steps program. The community is full of kind and hard working people that truly care about his individual needs.
A few months ago, I started working with the program and I now get to see, first hand, how incredibly hard working everyone is. From the coaches, to the managing team, to the founders: every single person's heart is invested in creating an environment where all of the clients can continue to grow, thrive and learn skills necessary for greater independence and community engagement.
The Aurelia Foundation is remarkable, one of a kind and I'm very grateful to be apart of it. As a sister, it's hard to believe that we've finally found the program of our dreams and I can only hope that James can continue to grow here for the years to come.
I have been employed by Aurelia for over two years. I am honored to be a part of this community, and incredibly pleased with the opportunities, compassion and care this company provides to their clients. As a mother of a young adult with special needs, I am grateful that a program like this exists.
I am so honored to be part of Aurelia foundation. The foundation that has built my passion for children with special needs! I thank the Aurelia team for the work they are extending around the world. I am a coach who has been with the foundation for 5 years, thank you for changing the lives of our special needs young adult! Through working with Aurelia foundation I was able to start a program for special needs children in Uganda where I come from.
Thank you Aurelia foundation for the great work you’re doing around the world! We will continue to support you in every way we can.
The Aurelia Foundation fills a gap in an area that is so underserved. Their mission is to provide day programs for special needs individuals whom are now adults and are no longer part of the "school system." The Foundation gives these individuals a safe and nurturing place to go, a place to learn, socialize, and teaches them the skills to become a part of the community. I have had the pleasure of getting to know some of the Foundation's clients and truly believe that this is a very worthy and needed cause. I will continue to support the Foundation!
We were extremely lucky to find Creative Steps. Our son, Alex, has been attending almost since the beginning. He has benefited from this outstanding program, which is unique in the area and provides expert supervision and programming every day. Instead of going to a location and doing repetitive activity, Alex is out in the community where he is experiencing an amazing variety of activities. He is engaged and happy and learning all the time. He is in contact daily with the most expert and caring coaches and administrative staff, who assist him and challenge him to exceed expectations. We are profoundly grateful to have found Creative Steps and The Aurelia Foundation.
This is a one of a kind program in Santa Monica. They have fabulous coaches and exceptional managerial staff. The adults in the program participate in a variety of activities from working out at their local YMCA to shopping at the farmer's market, learning to take public transportation to holding part time jobs. My daughter loves every minute of her day at Aurelia Creative Steps. She also has the opportunity to ride and care for horses once a week. She visits museums and goes on field trips. She participates in a music therapy program as well. The best part of this program is that she is out in the community every day and is doing things that "typical" adults do on a daily basis.
This program has been a godsend to my nephew, James. He loves it and it doesn't surprise me because the people that run it are incredible individuals with the warmest & kindest of hearts. Aurelia Foundation is making a difference to kids that are often overlooked but so deserving of our love and care.
Our son James has been in the program just over two years and its been amazing for him. Being out in the community and learning things about everyday life makes this program like no other. The directors and staff are a joy to work with and have such good energy. We love them and the program and are so thankful to be a part of it.