Celebrating Success
Rancho Youth Achievements
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our Rancho youth! This June, six current and former participants proudly graduated from Aggeler High School—a remarkable milestone that reflects their perseverance, dedication, and strength.
Our Transitional Age Youth (TAY) program continues to empower young adults as they pursue higher education and shape promising futures. Several TAY participants are thriving at Pierce College, while four are currently enrolled at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), pursuing degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Business Marketing. One outstanding student is making strides at UCLA, where he is double majoring in Economics and Sociology.
We are also proud to share that three students were awarded academic scholarships in recognition of their academic excellence and meaningful community involvement.
These inspiring achievements highlight the limitless potential of our youth. We couldn’t be more proud—and we look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the future!
CONGRATULATIONS
2025 Grads!
Culmination… an End and a Beginning
A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | Aubree Sweeney, LMFT
In sixth grade, I had the pleasure of making the culmination speech at my graduation, marking what I viewed as the end of an era, a celebration of all we learned to take into the next chapter of our lives. I remember the principal’s speech that same day explaining that culmination is not an end, but a beginning, and thinking I misunderstood the definition.
It’s graduation season again and many of us will be attending graduation ceremonies, including six youth at Rancho who will be graduating from Aggeler High School. With a history of school challenges, many of the youth at Rancho never thought this day would come in their lives. Graduation at Aggeler is one of the highlights of the year. The ceremony is small and intimate; youth are invited to present a flower to someone who helped them achieve this milestone. It no doubt marks the end of achieving what many told them could not be achieved, but it also marks the beginning of a new life with more opportunities with a diploma.
This year has also marked one of the biggest culminations in Rancho’s history, the end of an over 60-year era with Brother John Crowe. While he has physically left our earth, this is by no means the end. I feel him on campus and hear his bellowing voice in my mind every day. And we are now called to begin the era of memorializing his legacy. We mourned his death and celebrated his life with hundreds of his supporters at St. John Eudes on March 1 and we are excited to announce that we will host our first formal gala on October 23, called Legacy of Hope: A Tribute to Brother John Crowe.
Decades after my elementary school graduation, I reflect on my principal’s wisdom. Culmination is the end point or final stage of something you have been working toward or something that has been building up, but she was right, it is not just an ending, it is a new beginning. So, this Spring, I congratulate all of our Rancho graduates, both from our program and High School, and all they will go on to achieve, continuing to beat odds and achieve great things. And I invite you to celebrate with our Rancho family to keep Brother John’s legacy alive at our upcoming gala this fall. Congratulations to all graduates and families of graduates, from elementary school and beyond. May each of these moments be the beginning of another.
Aubree Sweeney, LMFT
IN LOVING MEMORY…
BROTHER JOHN’S PRAYER CORNER
Hope is not wishful thinking. Hope is not merely a desire. Hope is a confident belief—a certainty—that God will do what He has said. It is trusting fully in God’s promises. Hope is what motivates you to keep believing, even when circumstances seem impossible. One of the greatest gifts God has given us is hope. In fact, His promises are designed to instill that very hope within us. Look at every situation with assurance, knowing that without fail—and regardless of how things may appear—God will come through. Trust His promises. Have hope today. Face this day with confidence and assurance, believing that your prayers have been heard. You can place your full hope in that truth.
RANCHO ALL STAR
LOCAL YOUTH USES MUSIC AND VOLUNTEERING TO UPLIFT AND INSPIRE
Thomas, a high school junior from Camarillo, is a young man with a mission—to use his gifts to make a difference. While many teens are still discovering their passions, Thomas has already merged two: a love for music and a deep commitment to giving back. His story is a compelling example of how creativity, empathy, and initiative can come together to heal and inspire others.
Thomas’s journey into volunteering began with the nonprofit “For Goodness Cakes,” which matches volunteers to make and hand-deliver birthday and graduation cakes to children in foster care and youth overcoming adversity. With a close family member who was a graduate of the foster care system, Thomas understands the importance of bringing a little light to them on their special day. One of his deliveries brought him to the Rancho San Antonio campus, a pivotal moment for both Thomas and ultimately Rancho.
“It felt different,” Thomas said. “Like a safe, welcoming space. When I learned about the Creative Healing Arts program, I saw a real connection to what I care about—how music can be a therapeutic outlet.”
Inspired to do more and motivated by his visit to Rancho, Thomas decided to take action in a big way. He organized a benefit show with performances by his singer/songwriter duo, The Four and a Half, a local jazz ensemble, and the rock band SPAM—all in support of Rancho’s Creative Healing Arts Program.
Despite his humble nature, Thomas exudes what he calls a “quiet confidence.” This blend of introspection and leadership has allowed him to mobilize support for a cause close to his heart while growing his own skills and sense of purpose.
Even with all he’s accomplished, Thomas keeps his eyes on the future. He will be interning this summer with an affordable housing developer focused on projects that include housing youth aging out of foster care. Musically, he will continue to write and record with his various musical partnerships, and Black Moon Lilith is scheduled to release a five-track EP all while contemplating how to balance a budding music career with his academic aspirations. Of course, his plans for the future include college as well.
Thomas is proof that age doesn’t define impact. Through his music, volunteer work, and thoughtful action, he’s giving others a voice—and creating spaces where healing and hope can thrive. Whether performing on stage or quietly composing a new song, he exemplifies how art and service can change lives, including his own. Thank you for your example, Thomas. We’re all inspired by your heart and commitment.
Benefactors List
Rancho is grateful to our friends who contributed from July 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025.
All donations are greatly appreciated. Our mission would not be possible without your continued support.
Includes monthly sustainers and in-kind donations.
Advanced Liquidators, Inc.
Alaine Watson
Alan Leupp
Alice Spratley
Alicia Hernandez
Alvin Su
Amy Savic
Ana Greene
Andrew and Leslie Provenzano
Angeline Thornton
Ann and John Shea
Ann Henzgen
Ann Marie Tinsley
Anna Jensen
Annabella Nice
Anselm Varni
Anthony and Mary O’Shea
Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony Maurer
Anthony Stella
Arlene Nethery and Mary Badal
Art Cardoza and Carol Green
Arthur and Paula Connolly
Arthur J. Gallagher & Company
Arthur Laski
Aubree and Bill Sweeney
August Koch
Barbara and Dennis Falk
Barbara and Timothy Olinger
Barbara Strieck
Beverly Bushner
Brian and Patti Yabu
Brian Eisendrath
Burton G. Bettingen Foundation
California Medical Caregiver Services
Carl Schack
Carolyn Hilliard Becker
Catherine McMinn
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc
Changing Lives Charitable Foundation
Charles Stevenson
Charlotte Hoyt
Chatsworth Women’s Club
Chris and Dana Dyrek
Christian Foundation of America
Christopher and Mary Larson
Clara Mazzeo
Classic Chevys Of Southern CA
CSUN Early Birds
Custom Control Sensors, LLC
Daniel Olsen
David Furukawa
David Key
DeaJNae Brown
Debra Birgen
Debra Greene
Demitria Villa
Dennis Irving
Dianne and William Southern
Dolores Tukich
Donald and Norma Waldman
Dr. Carol and Dr. Carolyn Bloch
Dr. Lupe Simpson
Edward Zeigler Jr.
Eleanor Rosa
Elizabeth and Larry Debold
Elizabeth Strother
Enrico Ventura
Eric Chin
Eric Price
Erica Rabb
Ernest Sanchez
Esther Rodriguez
Ethel J. Scantland Foundation
Feldman Law Group, P.C.
Frances Mentzer
Frank and Marianne Wilson
Frank Enterante
Franklin and Patricia Geraty
Frederick and Regina Stifter
Frederick Kuppers
Gabriel and Phyllis Kalenian
Gary and Patricia Hoover
George and Janice Gnesda
George and Laura Braunstein
George and Veronique ZakiGerald and Kay Fox
Green Thumb Nursery
Greg Wiviott
Gregory and Deb Lefevre
Gregory and Marie Phelps
Hallie Chavez
Harry Johnson
Harvey and Dolores Marsh
Heather Jenkins and Steve Dey
Helen Murphy
Hoffman & Associates
Iljosa Dobler
James and Kay Barry
James Castro
James Tiedeman
Janet O’Connor
Jeanne Castro
Jeanne Monaghan
Jennifer and David D’Alvarez
Jennifer Romero
Jerome Fischer
Jesse Lipson
Jill Mather
Jim Sciuto
Joan Schugel
Joan Spencer
Joe and Donna McDonough
Joe and Elena Preciado
John and Dianne Lakatta
John and Marlene Oliphant
John and Mary Farrell
John Chiang
John Graykoski
John Kelly
John Martin
John O’Donoghue
John Ver Halen
John Williams
Jonathan and Lisa Jones
Joseph Drnek
Joseph Tamusaitis
Joshua Gottheim
Karl Zufelt
Kathleen Tickner
Kathryn Saravia and Deborah Bloomquist
Kathy DiNapoli
Keith Wieser
Kelly and John Steiner
Kelly and Joseph Allegretti
Ken Leon
Kevin and Carol McDonough
Kevin Gilbert
Knights of Columbus
L.L. Foundation for Youth
LA84 Foundation
LADWP Employees’ Association
Larry Deagon
Leslie Dolchin
Linda Brandau
Loaves & Fishes
Lolita and Alicia Fong
Loretta Allen
Lori Brakka
Lucy Rayner
Manuel Joia
Maria Alcalde
Maria Gonzalez
Marilyn and Jerome Ruzicka
Marisa Capra-Cunningham
Mark and Karen Pasano
Mary and Anthony Aveta-Giangrasso
Mary Jo Koman
Mary Lou and Robert Vanderlip
Mary Mahon
Mary Parker
Maryann Kinzel
Maureen and Larry Capra
Michael and Beatriz Bilbao
Michael and Marilyn Bellinder
Michael Cotter
Michael Dorn
Michael Kramer
Michelene Laski
Michelle Fracassi
Mikaela Lafuente
Mr. and Mrs. McKay
Mr. Adam Isrow
MT Industrial, Inc.
Nancy Bejune
Nick and Terri Rizzo
Nicole Smith
Odus and Michelle Caldwell
Olga and Michael Haggerty
Olivia Deterling
Olivia Kelly
OneOC
Oran Zitella
Orange Door Consulting
Orlyn Crawford
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Pablo and Maria Ulloa
Pam Overton
Pastor Herrera Jr.
Pat Chappuis
Patricia Carney
Patricia Hawkins
Patricia Hardy
Patty Sciuto
Paul and Ofelia Corsa
Paul and Peggy Graham
Paul Clarke
Paula Cymerman
Pearl Henzgen
Peter and Carol Tullio
Peter and Marie Ferry
Phillip and Patty Fuess
Phillip Broderson
Piekunka Family Trust
Princess Cazzaly
Rajiv and Caroline Shah
Randall McTague
Randy and Bryn Potter
Randy Gist
Ray and Ann Vincent
Raymond Ballard
Raymond Fuess
Reserva de la Casa
Rich Abronson
Rich Nichols
Richard and Shanin Garza
Richard Bratkovich
Rikki Green
Robert and Kathleen Buffum
Robert and Kathryn Radford
Robert and Susan Byrne
Robert Bernstein
Robert and Julia DeLeo
Robert Oedy
Robert Plassmeyer
Robert Quon
Robert Venverloh
Robert Volpe
Roger Lamer
Roland Pinza
Rosalie Brown
Rosina D’Ambrosio
Roy and Diane Rehfeld
Rusell Neglia
S & K Romofsky
Salvador Valencia
Santos Rivas
Sasha Windes
Saul and Jacky Rodriguez
Scott Schwartz
Sean Leverance
Sean Martin
Sharon and Chris Hoffman
Sharon Para-Lavender
Shirley Huber
Shirley Meredith
Shirley Weinbeck
St. Euphrasia Parish
St. John Eudes Swim Team
Stephen Hoyle
Stephen Lee
Steve and Crisel Kelleher
Steve and Megan Sweeney
Steve Grill
Stuart Ogilvie
Sue Opdyke
Susan Nihiser
Susanna and Jorge Ruiz
T.R. Narvaez
Tam Rettig
Teresa Mcmenamin
Terresa Knox
Terry Gordon
The Ahmanson Foundation
The Mazzeo Family Trust
Thomas Hemmens
Thomas Zvanovec
Timothy Masterson
Todd Johnson
Todd Molnar
Tom and Florence Foote
Tom Sykes
Tony and Mary Kay Lufrano
Tony Rossi
Troy and Jodee McNair
Vicki Sater
Victor and Ellen Abbene
Walt and V. Petrovsky
Ward Wenner
Warren Lydecker
Willard and Gloria Scott
William Falkenhainer
William Spadaro
Zeena and Evan Burse
IN MEMORY OF BROTHER JOHN CROWE
We gratefully acknowledge the following donors for their generous gifts made in memory of Brother John Crowe.
Your support ensures his legacy continues.
Advanced Liquidators, Inc.
Alaine Watson
Angeline Thornton
Anthony Stella
Arlene Nethery and Mary Badal
Art Cardoza and Carol Green
Aubree and Bill Sweeney
Brian and Patti Yabu
Catherine McMinn
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc.
Chris and Dana Dyrek
Classic Chevys Of Southern CA
David Furukawa
Dr. Carol and Dr. Carolyn Bloch
Edward Zeigler Jr.
Elizabeth Strother
Ernest Sanchez
Frederick Kuppers
Jeanne Monaghan
Jennifer Romero
Jim Sciuto
Joe and Donna McDonough
John and Dianne Lakatta
John and Mary Farrell
John Graykoski
John O’Donoghue
John Williams
Kathy DiNapoli
Keith Wieser
Mary Mahon
Masis and Trisha Yegazarian
Nick and Terri Rizzo
Orange Door Consulting
Paul Clarke
Peter and Carol Tullio
Phillip Broderson
Princess Cazzaly
Randall McTague
Robert and Kathryn Radford
Robert Plassmeyer
Roger Lamer
Rosalie Brown
Russell Neglia
S & K Romofsky
Sharon and Chris Hoffman
Sharon Para-Lavender
Sue Opdyke
Susanna and Jorge Ruiz
Tom and Florence Foote
Tom Sykes
The following donations were made to Rancho as tributes
In honor/memory of
Alfonso Gilbert Fernandez
Robert Quon
In honor/memory of
Andrew Koman and Marvin Keogh
Mary Jo Koman
In honor/memory of
Army Sgt. Joseph F. Stifter, Iraq 2016+
Frederick and Regina Stifter
In honor/memory of
Art and Bev McDonough
Kevin and Carol McDonough
In honor/memory of
Bill Kelly and Tom Kelly
John Kelly
In honor/memory of
Carole Camerota
Ann Marie Tinsley
In honor/memory of
Casey Corr’s Wedding
Rosalie Brown
In honor/memory of
Clara Mazzeo
Gerald and Kay Fox
Lucy Rayner
In honor/memory of
Diane McNall
Kelly Steiner
In honor/memory of
Dolores Tukich – 100th Birthday
Ward Wenner
In honor/memory of
Doug Mahon
Stuart Ogilvie
In honor/memory of
Dr. Earl Petrus
Nick and Terri Rizzo
Rosalie Brown
In honor/memory of
Dr. Susan Bailey
Warren Lydecker
In honor/memory of
Galen R. Nihiser
Susan Nihiser
In honor/memory of
Ginny Rieber
Lori Brakka
In honor/memory of
Howard Weinberger
James and Kay Barry
In honor/memory of
Jack Dobler
Iljosa Dobler
In honor/memory of
James DeGeeter
Loretta Allen
In honor/memory of
Jerry Barry
James and Kay Barry
In honor/memory of
Jim Sater
Vicki Sater
In honor/memory of
Joan Ryan
Olivia Deterling
In honor/memory of
Joseph and Catherine Bellinder
Debra Greene
In honor/memory of
Maria Enterante
Frank Enterante
In honor/memory of
Mauro and Nunziata Neglia
Russell Neglia
In honor/memory of
Mel Spratley and Emily Ruddy
Alice Spratley
In honor/memory of
Micaela Knight
Teresa McMenamin
In honor/memory of
Mike and Sandy Perrin
Paula Cymerman
In honor/memory of
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Stella
Anthony Stella
In honor/memory of
Nancy Barrett Corr, beloved mother of Casey Corr and Michael Corr
Erica Rabb
In honor/memory of
Roger F. Lavender
Sharon Para-Lavender
In honor/memory of
San Jose Dorm
James Castro
In honor/memory of
Terry Grant Clark
T.R. Narvaez
Rancho San Antonio’s
LEGACY OF HOPE GALA
A Tribute to Brother John Crowe
Our inaugural Gala is a heartfelt tribute to Brother John, whose legacy of compassion, service, and transformation continues to inspire all that we do at Rancho San Antonio. We are proud to honor two remarkable individuals—Councilmember John Lee and Terrance Turner—for carrying his legacy forward in powerful ways.
Councilmember John Lee has spent his life serving the City of Los Angeles, where he was raised and now represents Council District 12. A dedicated public servant, he is known for his commitment to public safety, support for local organizations, and efforts to improve quality of life across the city. His leadership embodies the values Brother John stood for.
Terrance Turner arrived at Rancho at age 17, carrying the weight of trauma and uncertainty. Through Rancho’s support, he discovered his passion for the culinary arts and transformed his life. Today, Terrance is a successful chef with an international career—and a shining example of what is possible when a young person is given the opportunity to thrive.
Join us in celebrating these two outstanding honorees whose lives reflect the enduring spirit of Brother John and the mission of Rancho San Antonio.
Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 6 PM
Taglyan Complex in Hollywood
This special evening will raise funds for our youth programs—and honor the remarkable legacy of Brother John Crowe.
Details can be found here: https://ranchosanantonio.org/2025gala
Buy-A-Brick Campaign
Help build a stronger foundation for our youth with a commemorative brick. Your gift will remain a permanent reminder of hope, possibilities, and healing.
Standard Paver Brick
- Size: 6″ x 9″
- Engraving: Helvetica ½”
- Up to 3 lines
- Up to 16 characters per line (including spaces and punctuation)
- Best For: Short names, family name, initials + year, or “In memory of…”
$250.00
Square Paver Brick
- Size: 9″ x 9″
- Engraving: Helvetica ½”
- Up to 4 lines
- Up to 16 characters per line
- Best For: Family dedications, short phrases, alumni messages
$500.00
Premium Paver Brick
- Size: 9″ x 12″
- Engraving: Helvetica 1″
- Up to 5 lines
- Up to 16 characters per line
- Best For: Longer messages, multi-generational dedications, organizations or tributes
$1000.00
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