As 2024 came to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you for being such an important part of our journey. Your support, energy, and belief in our mission have made all the difference, and we’re so grateful to have you with us.
We hope this season brings you joy, warmth, and time with loved ones. Here’s to reflecting on all we’ve accomplished together in 2024 and stepping into 2025 with even more passion and purpose!
Spotlight on Som, Meena & Athish : Founders of WeEMBRACE
As we reflect on the year, we celebrate Som Sundarararajan & Meena Kalyanasundaram, the inspiring founders of WeEMBRACE. There journey began with a personal challenge. When searching for resources and support for their r own child, she realized how difficult it was to find the right help. This struggle became the driving force behind the creation of WeEMBRACE in 2018. Som has provided resources and assistance to the parents of children with different abilities through seminars and workshops.
Together, they are responsible for organizational outreach, and most importantly, heading the vision and future direction of our organization.
Their vision was to build a community where families facing similar challenges could come together to share experiences, find resources, and support one another. What started as a small initiative has now grown into an organization offering a range of programs that help families of children with special needs thrive. Weekly recreational events, sports days, social clubs, and virtual tutoring are just a few of the services provided by WeEMBRACE, all aimed at fostering connection, inclusion, and support.
They both have been a strong advocate for inclusive opportunities in housing, employment, and recreation for families of children with special needs. Through partnerships with corporate and community organizations, they have expanded WeEMBRACE’s impact, helping families access vital services and opportunities outside the organization’s programs.
Alongside their work with WeEMBRACE, their son, Athish, has developed his own micro-enterprise, creating bread bags, small jute bags, and handmade earrings. Athish’s entrepreneurial spirit reflects the resilience and creativity that Meena & Som, strives to foster in the families they support.
Despite facing immense personal challenges, including surviving three strokes, Meena’s resilience has remained a powerful force in her work. Her commitment to helping other families has shaped WeEMBRACE into a movement focused on love, support, and empowerment.
We are grateful for Meena’s leadership, her unwavering dedication to families, and the lasting impact she continues to make on the WeEMBRACE community.
Updates for January 2025:
2025 VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES- JAN through MARCH
DANCE WITH FRANK
Location - Yaal Studio 312 South Lexington drive, Folsom, CA 95630
Max - 8 needed.
SATURDAYS - JAN 4,11, 25 FEB 1, 15, 22 MARCH 1, 15
TIMES – 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Registration closes when we reach the maximum.
Performance opportunities available in community events. Need to volunteer at least 6 of 8 classes.
Registration Link - https://forms.gle/9t2ftCUUAekqjDzq9
ARTS and CRAFTS
Location – WeHaven, 3140 Gold Camp Drive, Suite 80, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Max - 20 needed.
AGES 12 AND ABOVE CAN APPLY
SATURDAYS - JAN 4,11, 25 FEB 1, 15, 22 MARCH 1, 15
TIMES – 3:45 PM -5:00 PM
Registration closes when we reach the maximum.
Registration Link - https://forms.gle/Je1ojBe96DgFPqzYA
SOCCER – SPRING 2025
Location – LeFive Indoor Soccer Court, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Max – 25 needed.
AGES 10 AND ABOVE CAN APPLY
SUNDATS – JAN 5,12, 26 Feb 2 and Feb 9
Times – 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Registration closes when we reach the maximum.
Registration Link - https://forms.gle/8EkVjxMDnE2zBwFK9
BASKETBALL SPRING 2025
Location – Mather Sports complex Indoor basketball court, Mather
Max – 25 needed.
AGES 10 AND ABOVE CAN APPLY
SUNDAYS – Feb 23, March 2, 23, 30 , April 6
Times – 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Registration closes when we reach the maximum.
REGISTRATION LINK - https://forms.gle/iRUmrhTb78cfUcbR8
DISABILITY & FAMILY RESOURCE FAIR
DATE: Saturday, February 8, 2025
EVENT TIME: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
DOOR OPENS FOR PUBLIC - 10 AM
VOLUNTEERS NEED TO BE PRESENT atheist 15 MINUTES BEFORE THEIR ASSIGNED TIMESLOTS
VOLUNTEERING HOURS – 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Different shoots available)
VENUE: Folsom High School, 1655 Iron Point Rd, Folsom, CA 95630
Maximum volunteers needed – 40.
Registration deadline - JANUARY 15TH 2025 OR WHENEVER WE REACH THE MAXIMUM
REGISTRATION LINK - https://forms.gle/HS2C9vF7psQvDJ1m6
If you have any questions, please contact admin@weembrace.org or call Meena at 510-386-6842
ABOUT THE EVENT-
We hold this ANNUAL DISABILITY RESOURCE FAIR to help families familiarize themselves with the service providers and vendors who serve in the Greater Sacramento area. Vendors come to highlight the services that they offer. The details of volunteering tasks will be communicated to those registered to volunteer.
EMBRACE STARS TALENT SHOW EVENT
DATE: SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2025
EVENT TIME: 3 PM- 6 PM
DOOR OPENS FOR PUBLIC - 3 pm
VOLUNTEERS NEED TO BE PRESENT atheist 15 MINUTES BEFORE THEIR ASSIGNED TIMESLOTS
VOLUNTEERING HOURS – 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM (DIFFERENT SHIFTS AVAILABLE)
VENUE: Folsom High School, 1655 Iron Point Rd, Folsom, CA 95630
MAXIMUM NEEDED – 45
REGISTRATION DEADLINE - MARCH 1, 2025, OR WHENEVER WE REACH THE MAXIMUM
To REGISTER or any questions, please contact Meena by email at admin@weembrace.org or call/Text at 510-386-6842
ABOUT THE EVENT -
EMBRACE STARS IS AN ANNUAL EVENT to display talents of individuals who are neuro-diverse in and around Sacramento. The event was successful only with the kindness and support of our volunteers. If interested in joining our volunteer team, kindly fill this form by March 1, 2025, to help us plan better. The details of volunteering tasks will be communicated to those registered through the email specified in this form.
2025 SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS - JAN THRU MARCH
Transition Services (Jan 7, 2025, at 4pm)
Speaker -Maria Iriarte, Mary Rios and Maricruz Magdeleno
Description - Transition Planning with the School District, the Regional Center, and the Department of Rehabilitation so your child can plan for the future. The training will discuss how all 3 programs will work together to provide your child with a disability the services and supports to be successful when they transition into adulthood.
Reasonable Accommodation in Higher Education (Jan 21, 2025, at 4pm)
Speaker - Paula Tobler
Description - Topics that will be discussed include: A students right to disability related reasonable accommodations from a public or private college or university; federal and state laws that provide for disability related reasonable accommodations in college or university settings; the process for requesting disability related reasonable accommodations while attending a college or university; and the complaint process if a college or university denies a student a disability related reasonable accommodation.
Employment Rights to Employment (Feb 11, 2025, at 4pm)
Speaker - Paula Tobler
Description – is a training on the rights of people with disabilities to reasonable accommodations to help them do their jobs. We will talk about practical tips on how to get accommodation, as well as legal rights to accommodation. We will also talk about related issues, like privacy rights relating to questions about your disability or your diagnosis.
REP Payee (Feb 25, 2025, at 4pm-6pm)
Speaker - Ariana Pablo and Raymond Kwong
Representative Payee is a training on the role and responsibilities of a payee who receive the Social Security or SSI benefits for anyone who can’t manage or direct the management of his or her benefits. This includes how to apply, duties, record keeping of expenses, money-management of social security benefits on behalf of beneficiaries receiving the program.
CALABLE (March 11, 2025, at 4pm)
Speaker - Maria Iriarte
CAL ABLE
This will be an overview of eligibility, how to open an ABLE account, what qualified disability expenses are, and a look at California’s ABLE program called CalABLE. Learn more about CalABLE and its financial benefits for children with qualifying disabilities.
Alternative to Conservatorship (March 25, 2025, at 4pm)
Speaker - Maria Iriarte
Description – Alternatives to conservatorship
For parents of children with developmental disabilities, we invite you to learn about alternatives to conservatorship, including limited conservatorships and supported decision making. The purpose of this training is to provide you with information to help you keep your child with a disability as independent as possible.
2025 MONTHLY AND WEEKLY CLASSES JAN THRU MARCH
BOWLING SOCIAL
LOCATION - THE ALLEY, 3443 Laguna Blvd, Suite #150, Elk Grove, CA 95758
DATES - Dec 21, JAB 18, FEB 15, MARCH 8 - SATURDAYS (ONCE A MONTH) TIME - 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Please be by 12:15 PM.
AGES 4 AND ABOVE WHO ARE NEURO-DIVERSE ONLY.
LIMITED SPOTS - 20 ONLY
COST - $8.00 PER BOWLER
Participant parents or caregivers need to always be present for supervision.
Have a question ?. Email admin@weembrace.org or call 510-386-6842.
OPEN GYMNASTICS
LOCATION - Elevate Gymnastics Academy, 3132 Dwight Rd #100, Elk Grove, CA 95758
DATES - JAN 19, FEB 16, MAR 16
SUNDAYS (ONCE A MONTH)
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM111
AGES 4 AND ABOVE WHO ARE NEURO- DIVERSE ONLY
LIMITED SPOTS - 20 ONLY
COST - $15.00 PER STUDENT
Participant parents or caregivers need to always be present for supervision.
Have a question ?. Email admin@weembrace.org or call 510-386-6842.
ZUMBA WITH KAY
SATURDAYS (ONCE A MONTH
DATES - JAN 11, FEB 1 MAR 1
COST -FREE
LOCATION - WeHAVEN, 3140 GOLD CAMP DR, SUITE 80, RANCHO CORDOVA, CA 95670
Parent/Caregiver presence and supervision is always required.
NO WALK - INS.
Registration is a must.
Instructor Kay Lenhart will lead Zumba & creative Dance. Kay Lenhart is the owner of Jammin' Dance & Fitness, and "Strictly Tap" a nationally award-winning dance program. She is a certified Dance Master Instructor and Certified Zumba Instructor. She specializes in Tap Dancing, Preschoolers, Seniors and Dancers with disabilities.
Have a question ?. Email admin@weembrace.org or call 510-386-6842.
WEEKLY CLASSES
DANCE WITH FRANK
JAN 4, 11, 25 FEB 1.15, 22 MARCH 1 and 15
SATURDAYS 10 AM - 11 AM
Cost - $10.00 per class .
Ages 5 and above who are neuro-diverse can attend.
Location - Yaal Studio, 302 A S. Lexington Drive Folsom, CA 95630
Have a question ?. Email admin@weembrace.org or call 510-386-6842.
DRUM CIRCLE
Jan 4, 11, 25 Feb 1.15, 22 March 1 and 15
SATURDAYS 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Cost - $10.00 per class .
Ages 5 and above who are neuro-diverse can attend.
Location - WeHaven, 3140 Gold Camp Drive, Suite 80, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Bring your own drum. Please contact admin@weembrace.org or Text 510-386-6842 for amazon link.
Have a question ? Email admin@weembrace.org or call 510-386-6842.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
SATURDAYS - 4 PM - 5 PM
DATES - January 4,11, 25 Feb 1,15, 22 March1 and 15
COST - $10.00 per Class
Ages 5 and above are NEURO-DIVERSE are welcome to join.
Limited Spots - 12 ONLY
Our arts & crafts program encourages our participants to express themselves creatively and have fun making crafts. This program is structured and broken into simple steps which engage participants with all kinds of abilities. Our instructors and volunteers are trained to engage with our participants. These activities are incorporated with fine & gross motor skills along with participants having fun while being a little messy.
Location : WeHaven, 3140 Gold Camp Drive, Suite 80, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Have a question ?. Email admin@weembrace.org or call 510-386-6842.
ADAPTIVE SOCCER
Dates - January 5, 12, 26 , February 2 and 9
$10:00 per class
10 AM to 11 AM
Location - Le Five Indoor Soccer, 1115 Folsom Blvd, Ste 200 , Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Have a question ? Email admin@weembrace.org or call 510-386-6842.
ADAPTIVE BASKETBALL
Dates - Feb 23, March 2, 23, 30 and April 6
$10:00 per class
10 AM to 11 AM
Location - Mather Sports Center Indoor Basketball Court, 3755 Schriever Ave, Mather, CA 95655
Have a question ? Email admin@weembrace.org or call 510-386-6842.
As we come to the end of the year here are some lovely moments to look back on:
We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been part of the WeEMBRACE community. Your support, kindness, and dedication make all the difference. Wishing you a joyful and prosperous New Year filled with hope, growth, and continued connection. Here's to another year of making a meaningful impact together!
You can reach us by Email admin@weembrace.org or CALL/TEXT/WHATSAPP 510-386-6842
Happy New Year from WeEMBRACE!
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