Alice Valverde

Community Service

Alice Valverde arrived in Manteca in 1946 with her family. In 1964, she was blessed with the birth of a special son, Philip, who arrived with Downs Syndrome. As a result of having her life enriched, Ms. Valverde was instrumental in the formation of the John McFaII School in Manteca, as well as Manteca C.A.P.S. (Community Action Programs and Services). She is a charter member and served for ten years with the Hanot Foundation in Lockeford, which provides a home-like residence to mentally retarded adults in a warm, supportive, and loving environment that is the least restrictive for the individual resident. Her goal has been to provide programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Her goal has been realized in our community.

Mrs. Valverde’s efforts became visible in 1967 when she organized a recreation program for children with developmental disabilities; this effort was called "Manteca Students for Exceptional Children." This group met every Saturday at the Manteca High School gymnasium with coaches and high school students who volunteered to help.

Another one of her projects was POSE (Parents of Students Exceptional). This group consisted of parents of students who attended the Stockton Manford Development Center. At that time, the Manford Center was the only facility m the area that could accommodate her son Philip. POSE later established the "Alice Valverde Scholarship Fund."

Alice has received many awards for her work promoting the living standards for persons with developmental disabilities. She has been recognized by the Manteca Soroptimists, Manteca CAPS, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the Hanot Foundation, and the San Joaquin County Division of the California Teachers Association.

Her involvement with these organizations has been documented by the Manteca Bulletin, the Manteca News, and the Stockton Record, as well as the Channel 13 “Morning Scene." Her son Philip passed away In 1987. He was the catalyst that launched Alice Valverde’s tireless efforts at improving educational and social opportunities for people with developmental disabilities in our community. We are honoring her for her relentless efforts to initiate and achieve this goal.