History of Pasadena Civitan
Pasadena Civitan was founded in 1929. In its long history it has provided support to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the Pasadena area. As seen by the plaques in the slideshow above, Civitan acquired land which enabled Villa Esperanza and Foothill Vocational Workshop (later Foothill Vocational Opportunities/Solutions) to begin their programs. As the programs expanded over the years, the land was officially deeded to the organizations. Foothill Vocational Opportunities has since merged with AbilityFirst so that the land is still being used for the same intended purpose.
Pasadena Civitan has long worked closely with Pasadena Mayors, City Departments (especially the local accessibility department), the Commission on Accessibility and Disabilities, local agencies and businesspeople. Our support for Villa Esperanza and Foothill Vocational Opportunities has now expanded to include AbilityFirst (which absorbed Foothill Vocational Opportunities) and Club ASPIRE whose focus is recreational/community integration.
Most recently our efforts have been focused on employment for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities. see Activities section
Pasadena Civitan has long worked closely with Pasadena Mayors, City Departments (especially the local accessibility department), the Commission on Accessibility and Disabilities, local agencies and businesspeople. Our support for Villa Esperanza and Foothill Vocational Opportunities has now expanded to include AbilityFirst (which absorbed Foothill Vocational Opportunities) and Club ASPIRE whose focus is recreational/community integration.
Most recently our efforts have been focused on employment for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities. see Activities section
Confronting History...
Pasadena Civitan is a local service club that has been focused on people with disabilities for more than ninety-three years. We are committed to the inclusion of all people, specifically people with disabilities. Our club added to the Civitan International Creed, “I believe every person with a disability has the right to live a full life.” Pasadena Civitan annually celebrates Pasadena employers whose workforce includes people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
We are saddened to recently learn that in the past, circa 1940, Pasadena Civitan was part of a movement to place racist restrictive covenants in local residential deeds. It is history that, unfortunately, we cannot change or correct. We choose to use it to reinforce our belief that all persons are equal and have the right to live full lives.
We are saddened to recently learn that in the past, circa 1940, Pasadena Civitan was part of a movement to place racist restrictive covenants in local residential deeds. It is history that, unfortunately, we cannot change or correct. We choose to use it to reinforce our belief that all persons are equal and have the right to live full lives.
Heart of the West District
Pasadena Civitan is now part of the Heart of the West District (recent event). This area is made up of California, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Recently Andy Wheeler, governor elect for The Heart of the West District, visited Pasadena Civitan --- touring Villa Esperanza and AbilityFirst and attending a club meeting. Andy was accompanied by his wife, Lynda Wheeler, who is a past governor and currently running for district representative to Civitan International. www.heartofthewestcivitan.org/
Civitan International
"Beginning with one local club in 1917, a group of business leaders in Birmingham, Alabama formed a global organization based on the empowering message of fellowship, knowledge and service to others. Within a decade of that first meeting, more than one hundred Civitan clubs were born.
Civitans worldwide share a servant’s heart—a compassion for neighbors and strangers alike. Civitan rosters have contained the names of five U.S. Presidents, astronauts, industrialists, and inventors—leaders who changed the world in a very real sense. Club rosters also include the names of many thousands of individuals who have impacted lives in ways just as profound.
Through two world wars, the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights Movement, Civitan members led the way for society. Civitan was the first service organization to integrate—in the 1940s, in the South—marking one of many milestones in the organization’s history.
In the 1940s, Civitans in Baltimore were inspired by the story of Tommy McNulty, a young man born with Down syndrome, and began raising money and awareness for special educators in the area. In 1952, Dr. Shropshire, then living in Baltimore, befriended the McNulty family and began to advocate for Civitan to provide more support for teachers. As a result, Civitan unanimously adopted service to individuals with I/DD as its primary focus in 1956.
Since 1992, Civitan has sponsored the Civitan International Research Center, a cutting-edge facility focused on finding cures and developing treatments for issues such as autism, Rett syndrome, down syndrome, and many other brain-related disorders. Today, Civitan International is the only service organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In 1974, Civitan became the first major service club organization in America to admit women to full membership. Another milestone for service organizations recorded in 1989 when Polly Mooney became the first female leader of a major service organization when she was elected to serve as International President of Civitan for the 1990-91 term." civitan.org/civitan/
Civitans worldwide share a servant’s heart—a compassion for neighbors and strangers alike. Civitan rosters have contained the names of five U.S. Presidents, astronauts, industrialists, and inventors—leaders who changed the world in a very real sense. Club rosters also include the names of many thousands of individuals who have impacted lives in ways just as profound.
Through two world wars, the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights Movement, Civitan members led the way for society. Civitan was the first service organization to integrate—in the 1940s, in the South—marking one of many milestones in the organization’s history.
In the 1940s, Civitans in Baltimore were inspired by the story of Tommy McNulty, a young man born with Down syndrome, and began raising money and awareness for special educators in the area. In 1952, Dr. Shropshire, then living in Baltimore, befriended the McNulty family and began to advocate for Civitan to provide more support for teachers. As a result, Civitan unanimously adopted service to individuals with I/DD as its primary focus in 1956.
Since 1992, Civitan has sponsored the Civitan International Research Center, a cutting-edge facility focused on finding cures and developing treatments for issues such as autism, Rett syndrome, down syndrome, and many other brain-related disorders. Today, Civitan International is the only service organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In 1974, Civitan became the first major service club organization in America to admit women to full membership. Another milestone for service organizations recorded in 1989 when Polly Mooney became the first female leader of a major service organization when she was elected to serve as International President of Civitan for the 1990-91 term." civitan.org/civitan/