News & Events

Best Place to Work

August 9, 2010 - 2 years and counting! Becoming Independent was named one of the best places to work by the North Bay Business Journal. This award is a great tribute to the skills and support our employees provide to thousands of individuals with disabilities.

Gallery of Sea & Heaven set to re-open

July 12, 2010 - The BI ArtWorks program suffered a setback in 2009 when the downtown building that housed BI's Gallery of Sea & Heaven was closed due to structural deficiencies. Thanks to the hard work of the building's owners, the gallery will be back up and running in August. The ArtWorks ceramics class designed & created a wall plaque that will proudly hang outside their new studio on A Street in Santa Rosa.

The Gallery's grand reopening will take place on the evening of August 21s from 5 to 8 pm. Check our online calendar for details.

19th Annual Dinner Under the Stars

June 19, 2010 - This year's Dinner Under the Stars marked the 19th consecutive year that Becoming Independent's supporters have gathered for a gala evening at the Benziger family's Imagery Estate Winery in Sonoma Valley. This year's theme was "Let the Good Times Roll," 1940's swing era. Thanks to the Benziger family's generous partnership, Dinner Under the Stars has become one of Sonoma Valley's most popular wine country events. Read more about Dinner Under the Stars.

We netted $190,000 in 2010, $34,000 more than DUTS 2009. We hope to raise even more in 2011. Thank you to everyone who made this possible: the volunteers, sponsors, donors, Board of Directors, and supporters.

Self advocates visit Sacramento

June 13, 2010 - Two individuals from our Community Living Supports (CLS) program attended the 15th annual People First of California conference in Sacramento

Union Bank supports Sonoma location

June 1, 2010 - Union Bank generously provided Becoming Independent with a grant for our Sonoma Valley location's Continuing Adult Education program. This grant will help buy needed supplies for our computer lab and educational support.

CEO interviewed by KOWS radio

May 10, 2010 - Cami spoke with Arnold of KOWS radio about Becoming Independent. Hear the interview here.

350 Protest additional state budget cuts

May 5, 2010 - Over 350 people gathered at the State Building in Downtown Santa Rosa. Individuals were protesting additional state budget cuts to disability services. "We've taken our fair share of cuts already" was the theme of the protest. Protesters were deeply concerned that additional state budget cuts would affect their ability to live on their own, keep their jobs, and be independent, contributing members of the community. Read the press release.

Early start & early intervention advocates

April 2, 2010 - One of BI’s Board of Directors, Diane Hobaugh and her daughter, Hannah attended the
5th Annual Legislative Breakfast. They spoke about Early Start and Early Intervention programs to a group of
Sonoma County service providers and Legislators. Read Diane’s speaking points.

BI in the news

March 31, 2010 - BI was featured in the "Progress 2010" section of the Sonoma West Times. Read the article. BI was also featured on KTVU, Channel 2 News. Read about that report.

Closure days

March 31, 2010 - Today is a state-mandated closure day. And it will be repeated within just five days on April 5. Each day Becoming Independent is closed, we lose $50,000 in state funds.

So in less than one week, we are losing $100,000 in revenue that helps pay for our operations. And that’s not the only state funding cuts BI faces. Last year Sacramento cut our revenues by 3 percent. And now we hear the same 3 percent cut will be repeated this year, too. This is why we're so focused on bringing in support from all of the people who value what we do here at Becoming Independent. Please go to our Donate Now page and learn how you can assist. Read more about the impact of closure days on our participants on Bonds' Blog.

BI green rollout

March 19, 2010 - We are going green! The BI Green committee was formed last year to spearhead BI's efforts in creating an environmentally responsible organization by educating staff & participants to become more 'green' at work, home, and in the community. We want to better utilize our resources to reduce our collective impact on our world.

Guest speaker Hailie Barnes, Recycle Coordinator for North Bay Corporation, has been consulting with our BI Green committee to help BI become a greener organization. Many of our BI Green committee members got dressed up to inspire and educate other staff to reduce, reuse and recycle! Many staff members took the pledge to make at least 5 green improvements in their life.

Everyday hero

March 17, 2010 - Recently, Cami Weaver, CEO and Carin Lawrence, Chief of Services, traveled to Sacramento to share a key message with legislators: "We've done our share... no more cuts to people with disabilities." Cami and Carin persoanlly shared this message with Wesley Chesbro, Noreen Evans, Jared Huffman, Mark Leno, Jeff Denham, Fiona Ma, and Jim Silva.

Assemblyman Jared Huffman received the "Everyday Hero" award from the California Disability Services Association on March 17, 2010 at the state capitol. He was recognized for his efforts in Sonoma & Marin county and now statewide, as an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. Mr. Huffman has been an inspirational leader in the capitol for his constituents with various disabilities and continues to fight to bring much needed "revenue" into CA to help protect the citizens of the 6th district.

Mr. Huffman welcomed several leaders from the North Bay into his office as part of CDSA legislative day. He was well-educated about the DDS budget and the specific areas of concern we shared. Pictured here (left to right) is: Cami Weaver, Becoming Independent; Liz Sutton, North Bay Industries; Assembly member Jared Huffman; Carin Lawrence, Becoming Independent; and John Rumsey, Marin Ventures

BI announces Bonds' blog

February 26, 2010 - Today we had several guests from the National Headquarters of Canine Companions for Independence visit our Santa Rosa Campus. And we figured, what a great time to announce that Becoming Independent's facility dog, Bonds, has his own blog! Follow Bonds' Blog.

BI celebrates the Year of the Tiger

February 12, 2010 - Becoming Independent celebrated the Chinese New Year on Friday the 12th with a parade around the Santa Rosa campus. Parade participants dressed up and showed off hand-made dragons and tiger masks.

BI Steps Up to Help with Transportation

February 3, 2010 - When North Bay Regional Center lost their transportation contract with Pride Industries, BI stepped up at a minute's notice to help individuals with developmental disabilities. Listen to the interview on KRCB.

Healdsburg Area Fund supports BI

January 2010 - The Healdsburg Area Fund, an affiliate of Community Foundation Sonoma County, awarded a $5,000 grant to Becoming Independent to help fund the expansion of our Healdsburg program. This partnership was very timely and highly appreciated. Increased community demand for our client services and available adjacent office space combined to create a unique opportunity for expansion. The first phase of expansion included new office space, an exercise area, and a new vocational area. The current art and lunch areas will be expanded and the center hallway will become a space to showcase artwork. Read more about the Healdsburg Area Fund here.

A credo for support

January 22, 2010 - Norman Kunc & Emma Van der Klift's video, "A Credo for Suppport" - spoken by members of San Luis Obispo People First.