The Silicon Valley REALTORS® continue to help their communities by supporting nonprofit groups that care for individuals and families in need. Last week, the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation presented a check for $1,500 to PARCA (Peninsula Association for Retarded Children and Adults) at a Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® district tour meeting in Palo Alto last week.
PARCA is a private, nonprofit organization headquartered in Burlingame. It was founded 55 years ago by Bay Area parents who refused to institutionalize their children with developmental disabilities, including Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, and epilepsy. PARCA serves children, teenagers, adults, and families with a broad array of programs and services focusing on inclusion, independence, training, support, personal growth, and enhanced quality of life.
Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation trustee Lydia Kou presented the check to PARCA CEO Diana Conti. Conti thanked SILVAR members for their generosity. Conti said the Charitable Foundation donation will go toward offsetting costs of operating PARCA's Page Mill Court program, which comprises 24 assistance living apartments for adults with developmental disabilities in Palo Alto.
The Page Mill Court Program will cost $124,532 to operate in fiscal year 2011-2012. In her grant request to the Charitable Foundation, Conti indicated like other nonprofits, PARCA has been hard hit by state budget cuts, but the need to help children and adults with developmental disabilities has not dissipated. In fact, the need has grown. More children with developmental disabilities need education options, specialized care and inclusive recreation in order to grow, and more adults need independent living skills, support and respite to help them carry out day-to-day tasks. Conti noted PARCA does not turn anyone away.
"Your gift will really help. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are helping make the world a better place," Conti told members of the local trade association.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.