Gazette Rondas Dream Center Feb 10

February 2010 OC Gazette Magazine Charity Spotlight Ronda’s Dream Center

At a young age, Ronda was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis complex, a genetic disorder that left her severely developmentally disabled. Ronda lived at Fairview Developmental Center, a state-run center for individuals with developmental disabilities in Costa Mesa, for 26 years until she passed away from complications from tuberous sclerosis complex in 2007 at age 42.

Although she could not speak, Ronda's family noticed that watching nature and art films on the small television in her room brought her enjoyment. Three years ago Ronda's mother, Adrianne Cohen, and Fairview staff thought it would be beneficial to show these films to other clients at Fairview. The idea for Ronda's Dream Center was born.

The Dream Center will consist of two rooms with video projections on all four walls of each room. The “Explore” room will feature films and audio, allowing people with disabilities that prevent them from traveling to have an immersive experience, with video ranging from fields of flowers to European landscapes to the deep ocean. The “Create” room will be fitted with high-tech software that makes video images respond to movement, so as people move around the room, light rays burst from their moving arms or snowballs form in their hands.

Julia Cohen, Ronda's younger sister, is the director of the project. Although she works full-time in the nonprofit sector, she considers volunteering to work on the Dream Center in honor of her sister a privilege.

“I've been involved in the nonprofit world for six years,” Julia said. “Fundraising, advocacy, and providing services for the less fortunate is my passion.”

Julia said the Dream Center will be a valuable therapy tool at Fairview, which she said already has some incredible programs. About 465 people live at Fairview, and it has a staff of 1,500. She also said that the Dream Center will be available to other people in the community with developmental disabilities.

“Fairview is an amazing place. Many people in Orange County don't know it's there,” Julia said. “I think the Dream Center would be an excellent addition to their already really successful therapy programs.”

Ronda's Dream Center has been in its planning stages for three years, and has recently passed a crucial fundraising mark of $30,000. “The project has full support from Fairview’s Executive Committee,” Julia explained, “A building has even been allocated for installing the Dream Center. Fairview Friends and Families, Inc., a nonprofit associated with Fairview, will be collecting all donations for the Dream Center in order to offer donors a tax benefit.”

“We're very gracious to anyone who can provide financial support,” Julia said. “I encourage everyone to visit our website and find ways you can get involved with the Dream Center.”

The Dream Center is currently in need of monetary donations as well as in-kind donations, like electrician services, iPods and speakers, to get the center up and running. Those who wish to support the project can see their list of needs, donate online and check for upcoming fundraising events at www.rondasdreamcenter.org.

Ronda’s Dream Center represents a family that has made the most of a difficult situation. In 1974, Adrianne and several other parents of children with tuberous sclerosis formed the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, which is an active national nonprofit organization today. Julia works tirelessly in her sister's honor, hoping to show the community the benefit the Dream Center will bring. The inspiring story of Ronda's Dream Center tells of a family that has turned their own “dream” into a limitless service for the developmentally disabled community.

{ BY ALEXANDRA BAIRD }

From immersive visual realities to interactive virtual realities, an organization that’s bringing dreams to life for those with developmental disabilities.

www.RondasDreamCenter.org

Julia Cohen, Director

(949) 244-2919

JuliaKCohen@gmail.com

Julia Cohen at Ronda’s Dream Center

Photo by Blythe Hill

Photo Courtesy of Julia Cohen

Ronda

SIP Cocktails For A Cause

On March 25, 2010 at Blue Laguna in Laguna Beach, a $10 donation to the Dream Center gets you free drinks from 7-9pm & a raffle ticket!

GET Eco-Friendly, Hand-Stamped Note Cards

Made by Backward Prints, these green cards are cute and funds from sales benefit the Dream Center if you order them through rondasdreamcenter@gmail.com!

SHOP Online At Moderne

Shop at Moderne, an online boutique with designer trends at deal prices. With the promo code “rondasdreamctr” you can get 15% off your total purchase. 10% of the total will go to the Dream Center!