Smead lauded, Gutierrez Participant
of the Year at Arc Awards

Cynthia Gutierrez of Santa Paula was honored as the Participant of the Year and a longtime supporter and advocate - the late Dorothy Smead - lauded at the annual The Arc of Ventura County Awards Luncheon.

Held at the Spanish Hills Country Club on December 11, Fred Robinson, former Santa Paula Mayor and longtime CEO of The Arc, remembered and paid tribute to Dorothy Smead of Santa Paula and Bessie Bales of Ventura, longtime volunteers, members of the board of directors, and generous supporters of the organization. 

The Arc of Heritage Valley building is named for Smead and the late Hazel Kay, who became active in The Arc on county, state and national levels and remained strong advocates and dedicated activists on the behalf of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout their lives.

Said Robinson, “Dorothy and Bessie devoted their lives and were instrumental through their advocacy efforts on behalf of their children in the development of services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ventura County.  

“The Arc of Ventura County is the organization it is today,” he added, “because of the contributions and vision of these two wonderful women.”

Heritage Valley Program Director Yesenia Gonzales and Robert Hogan, president of The Arc board of directors, congratulated Gutierrez, who received the Participant of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements.

Participant of the Year Awards were also presented to Cipriano Aguilar, Andrew Dass, Joseph Dominguez, Juan Granados, Tammy Hendrick, Esteban Patino, Kaci Ropes, Anna Steinke, Horacio Tellez, and Randall Van Ausdell who participate in programs at Arc facilities throughout Ventura County.

The Hazel Kay Benefactor Award was presented to Shirley Dove of Oxnard, in recognition of her four decades of contribution to support The Arc’s mission serving the intellectual and developmentally disabled and their families.