BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
B ECOMING INDEPENDENT
“[Volunteer positions] offer opportunities to learn teamwork, socialization and provide a sense of accomplishment.” —Luana Vaetoe, CEO
By Bo Kearns
“W e are honored to receive this special award,” says Becoming Independent CEO Luana Vaetoe. “It is recognition of our contribution to the community and the high quality of support and services we provide our clients.” Becoming Independent supports a full spectrum of needs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The nonprofit was founded in 1967 by six families seeking an alternative to institutions for their special-needs kids. Their timing was good. Two years later the State of California passed the Lanterman Act providing that people with developmental disabilities and their families have a right to get the support and services they need to live like those without disabilities. Since inception 57 years ago, Becoming Independent has grown
Luana Vaetoe stepped into her role as CEO in 2013.
County of Sonoma. Becoming Independent has a 10,000-square- foot space it rents out for private events. Clients can work there, learning skills they can use elsewhere. And there’s also the Becoming Independent-operated Buzz Café in the nearby Kaiser facility. All clients go through an initial six-week discovery period. This helps determine their goals and interests. One client, Zach, indicated he wanted to be a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. On further exploration it was determined his real interest was in the components and how helicopters operated. The nonprofit helped secure him a position on the production line at a Santa Rosa aerospace company that makes helicopter components. “It’s my dream job!” Zach says. Education is available through Santa Rosa Junior College where two classrooms are dedicated to Becoming Independent. Approximately 200 clients are enrolled in classes that include financial management, nutrition, art, drama, dance, history and current events. Each year the nonprofit’s clients gather for a talent show in the event space. Much fun is had by all! v
considerably. Supported by a budget of $14.5 million, a staff of 160 provides services to 539 clients. The Santa Rosa organization occupies a 24,000-square-foot building recently renovated at a cost of $8 million. It’s bright, airy and welcoming. Large artworks of clients hang on the walls. Services offered are wide ranging—education, housing, food security, access to healthcare, employment as well as emotional and mental health support. Clients volunteer at a number of local organizations—Redwood Empire Food Bank, Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program, Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, Goatlandia, Friends In Sonoma Helping (FISH) and Snapcats Sonoma County. “These volunteer activities are invaluable,” Vaetoe says. “They offer opportunities to learn teamwork, socialization, provide a sense of accomplishment and often lead to a full- or part-time job.” In 2023 the total number of volunteer hours was 6,632. “We expect to exceed that this year.” And there are programs that offer employment opportunities. One of those is Secured Shredding. There are 102 shredding contracts that provide jobs for 60 clients and sustainable revenue for the organization. The largest shredding contract is with the
becomingindependent.org
Best of the North Bay 2024
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