Who We Are
The Adaptive Learning Center is a Key to Individual Potential for Adults
with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Adaptive Learning Center (ALC), previously known as the Center for Adaptive Learning, was founded in 1988, as an educational and residential 501(c)3 nonprofit California Corporation committed to facilitating growth and achievement through continuous education and therapeutic support, in the lives of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. ALC offers a unique programming experience that provides a number of services under one umbrella including “Day Program Services & Activities”, “Vocational Support”, and “Independent Community Living Services” in a supportive environment for those with a desire to do and learn what it takes to live independently.
Our Mission
The mission of the Adaptive Learning Center is to provide a safe and healthy community for adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders to realize their individual potential for self-reliant living as defined by the ability to engage in productive work, to socialize successfully, to attend to their own physical and emotional health, and to experience on-going personal growth.
Our Vision
A community where individuals of all abilities have limitless opportunities.
Our Values
We strive to grow a community that values respect, integrity, a positive attitude, teamwork, a sense of humor and we embrace the differences of one another.
Our Leadership
Anthony Rowe
Executive Director
Anthony joined the team at the Adaptive Learning Center December of 2021. As a longtime leader in the nonprofit sector, Anthony has devoted more than 16 years to the development and implementation of high quality support services for Adults with Developmental Disabilities. For the last 7 years, Anthony worked as an Executive Leader with a national nonprofit organization that operated “Specialized Adult Residential Care Facilities for people with Special Health Care Needs” and “Enhanced Behavioral Support Homes”. Outside of the ALC office, Anthony enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters playing board games, restoring old cars, or woodworking in his garage.
Becky Wieringa, MSW
Assistant Director
Becky joined the Adaptive Learning Center in 2019 as the Associate Director. Prior to the Adaptive Learning Center, she was working at the Regional Center of the East Bay as a Case Management Supervisor. Becky has spent the last twelve years, since graduating with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan, working in the field of Child and Adult Welfare. When Becky is not working, you can find her outside enjoying nature with family! Becky’s favorite annual event is the ALC Halloween Party and all the creative costumes!
Jeannine Chang, M.A.
Director of Education and Day Program
Jeannine is the Education/Day Program director at ALC, and has been with the program since 1994. Jeannine oversees a wide variety of activities both onsite and in the community. Her educational background includes psychology degrees from Wayne State University and Pitzer College. Jeannine was born and raised in Hawaii, and misses the food a lot.
Rebecca Moore
Community Living Coordinator
Rebecca is a dedicated professional with a Bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University. With nine years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities, she has developed a deep understanding of diverse needs and challenges. Her empathetic approach allows her to connect with members on a personal level ensuring they feel supported and valued. Outside of ALC, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband, friends and family, trying new restaurants, dancing and reading.
Sha’kila Caldwell
Vocational Coordinator
Sha’kila joined the Adaptive Learning Center in November 2022. Previously, she served as the Workforce Development Coordinator in collaboration with WIOA, for the one-stop career operators in Marin and Napa counties. Sha’kila has spent the last 7 years working with nonprofit sectors, with expertise in workforce development, housing programs, re-entry initiatives, and support for at-risk youth, the unhoused, and neuro-diverse individuals. She holds a BS in Business Administration and is currently pursuing an MA in Social Work, with a concentration in mental health. She is a passionate advocate for the unhoused, neuro-diverse, and the mental health community. As a servant leader, idealist, and humanitarian, she demonstrates empathy in her professional and personal pursuits. In her free time, Sha’kila enjoys creative activities, spending time outdoors, planning events, attending car races, and cherishing moments with her son and family.
Board of Directors
Sue Micheletti
Board President
Sue Micheletti joined the ALC board in 2021, following a successful 35-year career in hospital finance and administration. Blessed with two healthy adult children who are now married and raising healthy families of their own, Sue was looking for opportunities to get involved, to help individuals and families with challenges she hasn’t, personally, been faced with. Impressed after having met some of the people we serve and their family members, Sue is excited about ALC’s bright future. In addition to serving on the ALC board in her retirement, Sue has been involved in a grass-roots effort to establish a non-profit charity which endeavors to help victims and survivors of child sex trafficking. She is confident that her background in healthcare finance and operations will allow to her contribute meaningfully to ALC’s growth and continued success.
Stuart Gilliam
Board Vice President
Stuart Gilliam has a long history of working with those with differences, starting with the birth of his neurodivergent son in 1990. As practicing attorney, Stu spent many of his non-work hours supporting children with disabilities in Challenger League Baseball, VIP Youth Soccer, and Scouting. (Stu’s son, Tim, is an Eagle Scout.) After 35 years of law practice (most as a litigator, the last seven as a Special Education attorney assisting parents in obtaining appropriate education services for their children), he retired in 2021. He now devotes his time to supporting adults with disabilities. His son is a member of the ALC community.
Rick Fowler
Board Treasurer
Rick Fowler received his BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In total, Rick has spent 30 years in insurance company operations and accounting rising to be CFO of two insurance organizations. He has also spent 5 years consulting for retirement plan providers. In addition Rick has many years of experience with professional and community nonprofit boards and committees.
Ralph Griffin
Board Secretary
Ralph is the newest member of the ALC Board, joining in 2023 to serve as a fill-in for a member who left with about 6 months remaining. He has since been elected to a two-year term in January, 2024. Ralph has spent 30 years working as an engineer, and in operations management in the semiconductor industry, making chips for all types of applications. As such, Ralph has an extensive grounding in safety, quality, and operational efficiency. For the last 12 years, Ralph has been in construction management, further broadening his understanding of those three elements of safety, quality and operations. With an MBA from San Jose State, Ralph also has a working knowledge of business and finance. As a father of two lovely adult children, each with their own challenges, and as a close family friend of Stuart Gilliam and Rhonda Hughes and their children, Ralph became interested in helping ALC to continue to broaden and deepen their offerings to those who need a little help to live independently. Ralph looks forward to working with the Board and enhancing ALC.
Muriel Fitzgerald Wilson
Board Member
In 1996, shortly after her step-son joined ALC, Muriel joined the Board of Directors at ALC. Muriel has a long history of volunteering in her local community and enjoys spending her time helping to improve the lives of others. Through many years of involvement, Muriel has witnessed the evolution of ALC’s growth over time and looks forward to seeing ALC continued growth development. ALC’s leadership in the past decade has been excellent, and Muriel looks forward to seeing ALC’ s staff development continue along a positive trajectory long into the future.
Rob Edwards
Board Member
Rob Edwards has been a Board Member with ALC intermittently for the past 15 years. Rob is deeply committed to the success of ALC. According to Rob “serving on the Board provides [him] with an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process that will ensure the Center continues to meet its Mission of providing a safe and healthy community for adults with neuro-developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.” Rob brings over forty years of operational and Human Resource management skills to the ALC Board and enjoys working in collaboration with ALC Leadership as well as the other Board members.
Joan Forte
Board Member
Joan is one of the newer members of the ALC Board, joining in the Spring of 2020. Her professional career spanned 35 years at Stanford Health Care, followed by her own international consulting company. Recently, Joan joined a start-up company that provides oncology nurse navigation, serving as its Chief Clinical Officer. Her background as a nurse executive allows her to bring the Board her expertise in the management of organizations that serve a vulnerable population, and her MBA helps her provide business acumen as well. Joan’s most valuable contribution comes from what she has learned from raising her 37 year old daughter, who was born with a developmental disability. As Jessica’s mom, she brings the perspective of a parent, but one whose daughter receives services from a different organization in a different geographical location. She is delighted to be of service to ALC.