Easterseals On the Move: Recent Happenings and Initiatives

Easterseals Southern California has been bustling with impactful activities and meaningful advocacy. From volunteer events and high-level legislative meetings to celebrating achievements in disability inclusion through film, there’s always something exciting happening.

Volunteers Spread Joy at Easterseals Senior Day Services in Brea

Rexford Industrial and their dedicated volunteers spent the day at our Adult & Senior Day Services center in Brea, CA recently. It was an event full of flower-arranging, painting, eating, and enjoying each other’s company. During a special “Sharing Session,” the participants and volunteers at Brea talked about people and events that inspired them. It was a great way to spread joy and also honor Older Americans Month. Thank you, Rexford Industrial!

Easterseals Advocates for Medicaid in Washington D.C.

Easterseals Southern California leaders, board members, and disability advocates traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak directly with legislators about the critical importance of protecting Medicaid. Our delegation—including Easterseals SoCal CEO Mark Whitley; advocates Tiffany Yu, Emily Ladau, and Andrea Jennings; and ESSC Board leaders—met with 29 Congressional offices, representing all but three of ESSC’s federal Congressional districts and both of California’s Senators.

Together, we addressed key concerns about Medicaid access and emphasized the need for bipartisan support. We also shared personal stories to highlight how proposed cuts would severely impact people with disabilities—limiting access to essential services and putting vital support systems at risk for individuals striving to live, work, and thrive in their communities. We’re proud to stand up for accessibility and equity at the national level. Advocacy is how we drive lasting impact. Take action with Easterseals and let your voice be heard. 

Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Announces 2025 Winners

The 12^th annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Awards Show was held on Thursday, May 8 at Sony Pictures Studios, where hundreds gathered to celebrate disability inclusion in film. Prior to the Awards Show, film challenge participants and celebrities walked the “orange carpet” for photo ops and interviews with media outlets. Awards presented for this year’s “Thriller and Suspense” theme included:

• Best Actor: Dashiell Meier
• Best Director: Shane Hillier
• Best Awareness Campaign: Anna Pakman
• Best Writer: Steve Way and Danny Kurtzman
• Best Editor: Lily Drummond
• Best Film: Lee Cleaveland

To see more highlights from the event, watch the video below and visit the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge website to watch the 2025 film entries.

Recognizing Mental Health Awareness at the NAMI Walk

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Easterseals was proud to sponsor and host a booth at the 2025 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk – Greater Los Angeles County Mental Health Festival, marking our first time participating in this impactful event!

Held at the Los Angeles State Historic Park, the festival brought together nearly 2,000 attendees for a day of connection, community, and advocacy. With live music, engaging activities, and meaningful conversations, we joined fellow supporters to raise awareness and help break the stigma surrounding mental health.

Reimagining Hollywood at the Cannes Film Festival

Easterseals SoCal partnered with the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival to discuss our Reimagining Hollywood: A New Lens on Disability Report. Our panel featured Nic Novicki, CEO and Founder of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, and Nancy Weintraub, Chief Advancement Officer at Easterseals Southern California, and was moderated by Keith Simanton, Managing Editor of IMDPro. We took a deep dive into the state of disability inclusion in entertainment – progress, wins, and the path ahead – focused on advancing authentic representation on and off screen.

Stay In the Know 

Learn more about what we’re doing at Easterseals on our website, and be sure to follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings across our service lines:  

• Facebook: @EastersealsSoCal
• Instagram: @EastersealsSoCal
• TikTok: @EastersealsSoCal
• Bluesky: @eastersealssocal.bsky.social
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/easterseals-southern-california/
• YouTube: @EastersealsSouthernCalifornia