The Westside Center For Independent Living Associates Raise $30,000 At Sold Out Fundraising Event

The Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) Associates raised $30,000 at a Sold Out fundraising event held on Friday, April 19th both at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion where guests enjoyed a performance of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater said Jenn Steip, Development Director for WCIL. The performance was part of the series Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center celebrating the 55th Anniversary of the critically acclaimed dance company.

Ruth Kraft served as Chairperson of The WCIL Associates Steering Committee, which hosted the event. Jenn Steip said: "After enjoying wine and hearty Hors D'oeuvres at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club, guests were transported from the tennis club to the Music Center for the performance. During intermission, 80 attendees enjoyed complimentary wine, cheese and fruit served in The Founders Room of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion."

The WCIL Associates, founded in 1981 by Helen Levin, Betty Deutsch and Louise Escoe, are a group of philanthropic community members who are dedicated to the cause of independent living for seniors and people with disabilities. In support of this mission, Associate members use their skills to educate and develop community advocates, support WCIL programs membership development, provide volunteer services and present fundraising events.

The WCIL Associates Steering Committee is chaired by Ruth Kraft. Other members of the Steering Committee include: Betty Deutsch, Louise Escoe, Marjorie Fasman, LaVetta Forbes, Barbara Gordon, Trudy Kallis, Jean Katz, Ruth March, Marcia Solomon, Dascha Auerbach Stuart and Ruth Tober.

Established in 1976, the Westside Center for Independent Living is a non-residential center dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with all kinds of disabilities. The goal of the peer-led programs and services is the elimination of economic, social, attitudinal and environmental barriers.

More than 70 percent of WCIL's active staff members are people with disabilities. Each has a unique commitment to assist others with disabilities. Their understanding guidance and support give other individuals with disabilities the confidence to reach out toward their own independence using WCIL's programs and services. WCIL's geographic service area runs from Malibu, including the Westside of Los Angeles, and down the coast to San Pedro and includes West Hollywood down to Carson with three Westside sites, Mar Vista, Santa Monica and Redondo Beach. WCIL's vision is that people with disabilities will have the same opportunities in life as people without disabilities. A disability need not be disabling. To learn more, please visit www.wcil.org.

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