Reimagine

Our mission is to reimagine and relentlessly pursue possibilities throughout the lifespan of every person with disabilities. We see a world in which all people with disabilities have equal opportunities to thrive in healthy, inclusive communities.

Founded in 1950 by a group of concerned parents, Reimagine, formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Southern California, is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization serving the needs of over 400 children, youth and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities from autism and Down syndrome to cerebral palsy and other intellectual disabilities. Program participants also include those affected by vision or hearing loss as well as people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury.
With two Orange County campus locations in Santa Ana and Fullerton, Reimagine clinical and professional staff offer individualized therapies (OT, PT and Speech Therapy), plus strategic learning opportunities that empower individuals to achieve personal, educational, vocational and health goals.
Reimagine has 100 employees, 10 volunteers and interns, and a dedicated, voluntary Board of Directors.

Our lifelong learning, health and wellness, and child development services have expanded to include new social activities for our participants, both on campus and in the community. Weekly outings to the local YMCA for soccer, movie nights at our Santa Ana location, plus equine-assisted therapy at Tara's Chance, Fullerton, provide physical, cognitive and social well-being where individuals can learn, play and expand their skills. The addition of new adaptive equipment for physical fitness plus assistive technology tools are making movement and communication more accessible. Our Parent Education workshops bring caregivers together with our therapy staff to share information, best practices and new resources. Our community engagement has garnered a dedicated cadre of volunteers, and our exceptional board and staff put every effort into raising the funds we need during the Orange County "Empowering Possibilities" campaign in support of the innovative, whole-person services we are privileged to provide.

Expand continuing education/lifelong learning curriculum to include more health education, especially targeting chronic conditions that are difficult for those with cognitive disabilities to manage, including asthma, diabetes and hypertension.
Increase opportunities for transition age youth to build career skills through internship opportunities at local schools and businesses, fostering vocation readiness and independence.
Provide additional education and career-building opportunties for regular and clinical staff who can better support our participants with the latest evidence-based therapies and learning strategies.
Attract and inspire a Board of Directors that better reflects the community in which we serve while bringing a higher level of commitment and expertise to our organization.

Orange County, California

As Chief Executive Officer, I am working to build an even stronger partnership between our staff, participants, families and supporters who bring our mission to life. Our shared vision to unlock the potential of everyone we serve can be realized through continued innovation in our operations and programs, broader community collaborations, plus ongoing advocacy and accountability in both management and governance as we reimagine and create a world where people of every ability can thrive.

We believe that, with the right mix of therapies, learning opportunities and support we can unlock the potential in every participant we serve, from early childhood development to continuing education that lasts a lifetime. We are grateful for the support of our board, staff, families and partners who ensure we can provide the innovative programs, services and care our participants with developmental disabilities count on so they can thrive.