Ionela is an extremely motivated and active young woman. She has proved to be an excellent self-advocate and has overcome severe anxiety to successfully move toward reaching her goals. Ionela worked very hard to get her driver’s license, enabling her to drive herself to her job at Monterey Bay Aquarium where she is a docent.

Currently enrolled at Skyline College and College of San Mateo, Ionela volunteers part time at Happy Hall Nursery school, working hard to reach her goal of obtaining an Early Childhood Education Certificate.

Ionela regularly receives guidance and support from her Independent Living Skills (ILS) counselor as part of PARCA’s Community Living Options (CLO) program, helping her reach her goals and live as independently as possible.

At PARCA’s annual You’re Remarkable Awards Dinner in 2018, Ionela was presented with a Client Achievement Award for all of her remarkable accomplishments.

Through the generosity of donors like you, PARCA is able to provide support to remarkable people like Ionela, fostering their independence and enabling them to grow and thrive. Please give as generously as you can. We appreciate your ongoing support.