The Meristem Monitor is a listing of activities and news items occurring at Meristem. This newsletter is a student-centered effort (with a parent advisor) to help students, staff, and parents stay updated on and involved in the Meristem community. For items to be listed or questions and comments, please contact Laura-Lynne Powell at lauralynne.powell@gmail.com, or Taylor Oide, Meristem Marketing Coordinator, at tayloro@meristem.pro.

May 12-16

Now Enrolling!

Meristem is now enrolling for Day Program, a re-designed Work Skills program (more information coming soon), and for the ILS/Dorm Program and is encouraging families and friends of the campus to get the word out. To refer a potential student or family, have them email info@meristem.pro to get the enrollment process started. For more information on enrollment processes, visit meristem.pro/enrollment.

Day Program

Save the Date for Year End Celebration in July

Salina has sent out a “Save the Date” for the year-end celebration for the 2025 program year. The event will be Friday, July 25 from 9:30am-1:30pm. Details on the day’s activities will be announced soon. This is always a wonderfully warm event for students, friends, and families alike!

Mother’s Day Gift from Woodworking Class

A parent’s comments: Sometimes some of the products of our students’ work end up going home to make perfect, unique gifts. Take the amazing (and heavy & gorgeous) butcher block cutting board made by my student in JT’s woodworking class. The checkered 9X14-inch board made of maple stands almost two inches deep and involved cutting, sanding, glueing, and coating to become a beautiful cutting board and…a perfect Mother’s Day gift I greatly appreciated this past weekend!

We Need Your Help in the Garden

Get some free hours and want to get your hands dirty? Come help us for an hour or two in the Garden. Contact Twyla at twylat@meristem.pro to learn more and schedule your visit.

ILS/Dorm Program

Enchanted Prom 2025

Students had a blast at prom! From getting ready (some of our students got to get their hair done at Paul Mitchell Beauty School!) to arriving in a party bus to dancing the night away, everyone had a great time. Thanks to Bayside Church for putting on such a special event!

Special thanks to Paul Mitchell students for pampering our students, Jesuit volunteers for supporting set-up and clean-up, and 11Eleven Events for donating a beautiful flower wall!

Information for Dorm Students for Summer Break

With the break rapidly approaching, the Independent Living Skills Team wanted to reach out with information regarding summer break. Summer break is Saturday, May 24-Saturday, May 31. Please see the below:

For packing, please coordinate with your student coordinator any support that may be needed, and they’ll advise Independent Living Skills Management for us to coordinate supports. Students will be supported with:

  • Ensuring they have suitcases / bags packed for home
  • Rooms are cleaned
  • Common shared spaces are cleaned
  • All garbage / perishable items will be thrown out
  • Support will be all week, with Wednesday as a mid week check-in and push to finish what they need to wrap up
  • Wednesday, students will turn in their PEX cards for Independent Living Skills Management (ILSM) to hold on to for their return

Please note: Students will remain in the same dorms they are currently in and will not be packing their items in boxes, their rooms will remain as is over the break.

On Friday, May 23 dorms close and no staff on site after 5 pm.

Students return on Sunday, June 1 and dorms will open at 10:30 am.; students will be preparing a grocery shopping list and doing the shopping when they’ve returned and settled in. Dinner will be provided to the students.

Student Coordinators

Family Support Group Meetings Wrapping Up

Participants in both Monday and Thursday sessions have chosen to shorten these sessions to one hour. This first series of sessions is wrapping up as Meristem evaluates how well they went and how to keep them going.

The last Thursday support group meets Thursday, May 15, 6-7 pm.
The last Monday group meets Monday, May 19, 1:30-2:30 pm.

Student Coordinator Helpline

A reminder that students and parents should use their SC as their primary contact and utilize the SC helpline if a quick response is needed (or to report absences, etc.) Perhaps text BOTH your SC and the helpline to be sure your message is received. The SC help line is 916.546.9422.

Cafe Updates

How to Make a Reservation

Want to make a reservation at the Cafe? Email reservations@meristem.pro, call 916.768.6390, or fill out a contact form on the website at meristemcafe.com.

Hours:
Thursdays and Fridays
11:30am-1:30pm

Meristem Cafe’s Menu

MERISTEM SALAD

Seasonal Greens | Artichoke Hearts | Roasted Peppers | Grilled Squash
Dried Fruit | Feta |  Pepitas  |  Citrus Thyme Vinaigrette

(option to add Chicken for additional charge)

ROASTED TOMATO BASIL SOUP | GRILLED CHEESE SANDO
Pesto | Parmesan | Balsamic Glaze | House made GF Bread | Cheese

MERISTEM BURGER
Beef Chuck, Brisket, Short Rib Patty |  Lettuce | Tomato | Onion  | Pickle Chips |   Cheese |  GF Bun   House made Pickle |  Potato Wedges

STREET TACOS
Chicken Chili Verde  | Mild Salsa Roja  |  Guacamole | House Pickled Escabeche
Chips & Salsa

TUNA POKE STACK 
Yellow Tail Tuna | Citrus Avocado Smash | Toasted Sesame & Crunchy Garlic

BAKERY   All baked goods are Gluten Free and Dairy Free
Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie
Peanut Butter Cookie
Brownie
Blueberry Lemon loaf Cake

BEVERAGE
Sparkling Water
Sparkling or Still Apple Juice
Pellegrino – Blood Orange or Lemon
Coffee or Tea

Administration

Meristem 2024 Impact Report

The administration released some statistics showing Meristem‘s impact on the 2024 program year. They include:

  • Day Program served 64 students, served 15,750+ healthy meals, and provided 40+ unique course offerings taught by subject area experts.
  • ILS served 36 students in supported on-campus housing, 100% gained financial literacy skills and created usable budgets for household needs, 100% demonstrated increased independence.
  • Workforce Development placed 75 young adults in paid work skills internships, student interns worked 5,285+ hours, and collectively earned $110,000+. More than 200 employers were supported in inclusive hiring, and 25 new employers were trained with Meristem‘s Transformative Autism Program (TAP).
  • Social enterprises created exceptional products and services, promoted autism awareness, and employed & trained Meristem students. Meristem social enterprises include the Herbal Arts CSA box, Meristem‘s Bed & Breakfast, and the Meristem Cafe.

Next Family Zoom Meeting with Erin Will Be Held Wednesday, May 21

The next family Zoom meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21, at 5 pm. Salina will email families a link prior to the meeting. And a recording of the meeting is sent in the days that follow it for those who missed. Contact: Salinas@meristem.pro

Job Openings

The following job opportunities are available at Meristem: Independent Living Instructor. Details on careers at Meristem are here.

Student Lunch Menu

Monday, May 12
Snack: Oatmeal
Lunch: Chicken Piccata | Roasted Potatoes | Veggies

Tuesday, May 13 “Taco Tuesday”
Snack: Smoothies
Lunch: Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos | Rice

Wednesday, May 14
Snack: Fresh Fruit
Lunch: Kung Pao Chicken | Rice | Veggies

Thursday, May 15
Snack: Bacon Egg Scramble
Lunch: Pasta with Meatballs

Friday, May 16
Snack: Meristem Granola with Oat Milk
Lunch: Pork Chili Verde | Rice | Beans

On-Campus Events

  • Cafe is open and serving meals on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30am-1:30pm
  • Cafe is open and serving meals on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30am-1:30pm
  • Last two family support groups meet for this introductory session: Thursday, May 15 and Monday, May 19.
  • Next Family Zoom Meeting with Erin is Wednesday, May 21.
  • Dorms close for break on Friday, May 23, at 5pm.
  • Next break is Summer break from May 24-31
  • Dorms open on Sunday, June 1, at 10:30am.
  • Summer session begins on Monday, June 2.
  • Performances of Guys and Dolls by Stage Right Productions begin on campus June 19 and run through July 6.
  • Year-End Celebration is July 25 from 9:30am to 1:30pm
  • Magic the Gathering tournaments on Mondays at 3:30-7:30pm in Town Hall, open to the public.

Meristem’s full year Program Calendar is here.

Miscellaneous Events & Resources

Fifth Edition of CA Disability Rights Handbook Released
The state’s Department of Justice recently released a new edition of its “Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” This summarizes state and federal laws that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in many areas including employment, housing, K-12 education, health care, voting, telecommunications, and accessing businesses and places of public accommodation. It’s designed to assist Californians with disabilities avoid discrimination, segregation, and exclusion. The updated handbook is available here on a chapter-by-chapter outline (under publications). The DOJ also has a Disability Rights Bureau and information about it here.

Stage Right Productions to Perform in the Meristem Theater
Stage Right Productions, a local non-profit theater company, has chosen Meristem as the venue for their next production. Bothered and Bewildered recently wrapped up. The group’s next show, the classic Broadway fable Guys and Dolls, runs June 19-July 6, at Meristem. Details and tickets are here.

Fair Oaks Farmers’ Market
This nearby Farmers’ Market is held every Tuesday, 9 am to 2 pm, year-round, rain or shine. Location is Fair Oaks Park, 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks.

Midtown Farmers’ Market
This year-round farmers’ market has been voted the best in the state and features more than 200 vendors. Booths offer artisan creations, prepared foods, baked goods, flowers, local wines, and of course lots of fresh fruits and vegetables from area growers. It runs 8 am to 1 pm on Saturdays and covers several blocks with arts and crafts and good eats starting at 1050 20th St. More information here.