The Heart and Soul of the Foundation... and its reason for being...
"Where can we turn?"
"What are we going to do?
"What will happen when I'm gone...?"
History of the Willie Ross Foundation...
Our third son, Willie, was born deaf with Autistic-like tendencies as the result of a sweeping Rubella epidemic in 1964-65 that did more damage to the unborn than the Thalidomide epidemic.
All the love in the world did not prepare us for the chilling reality that we as parents and as a family had to face; not only would Willie’s multiple challenges test us at every level, we were forced to look at and weigh alternative opportunities available for our son as he progressed through childhood and into adulthood. We wanted to provide Willie –and others - with the best environment so that they could develop their skills to their fullest. We felt the "Love" and safety in a home setting would greatly enhance quality of life while furthering the learning process.
As Willie reached adolescence it became clear to us that we needed to find a suitable residential environment for him…yet none existed. With the help of many the Willie Ross Foundation was incorporated in 1982 with a residential home for 6 young men in Woodland hills, California. A second location soon followed.
The results and quality of life and the overall progress was nothing short of miraculous…Success led to expansion; The WRF Day Program was established in 2004 and today has 50 clients increasing to 80 later this year. What a wonderful sense of peace I now have…that Willie has a happy life. This is what every parent of adult special needs child hopes for. The foundation has and will give parents the peace knowing their children are safe, developing individuals under the care and support of a remarkable team of dedicated people.
Barbara “Bobby” Ross, Willie’s Mom
All the love in the world did not prepare us for the chilling reality that we as parents and as a family had to face; not only would Willie’s multiple challenges test us at every level, we were forced to look at and weigh alternative opportunities available for our son as he progressed through childhood and into adulthood. We wanted to provide Willie –and others - with the best environment so that they could develop their skills to their fullest. We felt the "Love" and safety in a home setting would greatly enhance quality of life while furthering the learning process.
As Willie reached adolescence it became clear to us that we needed to find a suitable residential environment for him…yet none existed. With the help of many the Willie Ross Foundation was incorporated in 1982 with a residential home for 6 young men in Woodland hills, California. A second location soon followed.
The results and quality of life and the overall progress was nothing short of miraculous…Success led to expansion; The WRF Day Program was established in 2004 and today has 50 clients increasing to 80 later this year. What a wonderful sense of peace I now have…that Willie has a happy life. This is what every parent of adult special needs child hopes for. The foundation has and will give parents the peace knowing their children are safe, developing individuals under the care and support of a remarkable team of dedicated people.
Barbara “Bobby” Ross, Willie’s Mom
How you can help...