VAN NUYS AGENCY GIVES DISABLED RESIDENTS CHANCE AT BETTER LIFE.

Byline: David Bloom Daily News Staff Writer

For nearly three decades, Tierra Del Sol has been helping people born with severe developmental disabilities stand on their own, providing them with volunteer opportunities, artistic outlets and paying jobs.

But now the agency needs assistance itself so it can continue its mission - helping its more than 400 clients become as self-sufficient as possible.

The nonprofit organization is trying to raise $200,000 to buy replacement vehicles for its fleet of vans and cars that take clients to jobs and volunteer posts, said Steve Miller, Tierra Del Sol's executive director.

``So much of what we do is getting people out in the community,'' Miller said. With many vehicles in its fleet more than a decade old, the agency wants to replace them with more reliable transportation.

Tierra del Sol is among the nonprofit charities participating in the Daily News' ninth annual Season of Sharing campaign. Readers can contribute directly to the charity, allow it to help people during the holidays and throughout the year. The Daily News does not receive any of the money.

Tierra del Sol's vehicle fleet is an important part of the services it provides, though the agency also trains its clients on how to use the bus system. All of its programs are designed to make clients more independent, despite the severe mental retardation, autism, seizure disorders and other problems that limit their options.

The agency first matches clients to volunteer jobs - at food banks, the Red Cross, animal shelters and other organizations - that are appropriate for their abilities and needs, Miller said.

``Everybody has a contribution they can give to make their community a better place and that's all our people want to do,'' Miller said. ``The folks that we serve, when they were growing up, they were never valued for what they could do. They never developed a self-esteem that their actions were worth anything.''

The volunteer jobs are also important because they help the clients prove they can be reliable and work with others.

``It's a wonderful first step in building their confidence,'' Miller said. ``From there, it builds up their resume. It's an internship for them.''

Once a client has worked as a volunteer, the agency tries to find an appropriate part-time job for the client.

That happened with Cindy, who spent nearly a decade in a state hospital because of severe mental retardation that left her unable to speak. ``She'd get so frustrated she'd tear her hair out,'' Miller said.

Through Tierra Del Sol, however, Cindy began serving food at a senior citizens center. The warm reception she received helped her blossom.

``Inside was a sweet lady who just needed some compassion,'' Miller said. ``It took a community that would look past her limitations. By us gaining confidence in her, she was able to go develop some skills.''

Recently, Cindy began working part time with a discount clothing store, folding and putting away clothes, while she continues her volunteer work.

``She probably has a life that's fuller than mine,'' Miller said.

The agency can point to plenty of other successes as well, such as George, who earned enough money from his new part-time job to buy his mother a purse for Mother's Day, or Rita, who almost failed the program because of her erratic interpersonal behavior before the agency found the perfect job: washing and detailing cars at a San Fernando Valley Toyota dealership.

The agency also helps develop clients' artistic skills at a Claremont-based studio. There, artists from the nearby Claremont Colleges and surrounding neighborhoods work with clients, sometimes collaborating on projects.

The studio, too, has become an avenue to independence for some clients, such as the severely mentally retarded woman whose dabbling evolved into a distinctive art style. She has sold more than $1,000 worth of her works and has been featured in a number of exhibitions around the San Gabriel Valley, Miller said.

Aside from getting new vehicles to help transport his agency's clients, Miller said he would love one other holiday present: more jobs for his clients.

``We are looking for part-time jobs up to four hours a day, doing assembly, clerical work, food service,'' Miller said. ``We try to find work for three to four people in a place, so a job coach from our agency can be there, as well.''

Already, companies including Hamer Toyota, T.J. Maxx, Precision Dynamics and Wal-Mart employ Tierra Del Sol clients. All the clients want, Miller said, is a chance.