Client Stories
Steve Medina
Not just a trust…
Steve never really perceived himself as disabled, despite being born with a brain injury. He went through vocational training that prepared him to work, and he worked for a few years as a janitor at UC Santa Barbara and for many years in the maintenance department at a local medical center, where he met his wife, Nora. For 27 years, they built a life together.
Like so many of our clients, Steve’s path to us began with an inheritance. It was important to his mother that any assets she had be used to help Steve and Nora live a secure life. While Steve needed a trust to preserve these funds and his benefits, he also needed local support. Steve’s brother, Thomas, was able to help with some of the big-picture planning: finding a lawyer, establishing a trust—but Thomas’ life was in Oregon, and Steve had a full life and a rich church community in Lompoc, California.
JLA stood out to Steve’s family because of the wealth of information we shared online about special needs trusts and the ease of our intake process. “It was a lot more informative—it was easy to imagine the level of interaction that I could anticipate,” said Thomas, and that expectation has held true. Beyond serving as trustee, JLA helped connect the Medinas with programs and resources they didn’t know existed. When Steve’s beloved wife, Nora, suffered a stroke in 2024, she was suddenly no longer able to manage many of the day-to-day responsibilities she had always handled. With support from his brother and JLA, Steve found a new home, built a collaborative relationship with his new service coordinator, and made sure his daily needs were taken care of—giving him the stability he needed to begin rebuilding his life.
Leighton “Lee” Passehl
Race cars, trophies and future planning…
Lee discovered his passion for radio-controlled car racing at age 11, and it quickly became more than a hobby. Now 41, Lee is a nationally ranked racer with sponsorships and recently placed third in a major race in Bakersfield. Lee, who has high-functioning autism, lives independently, has spent much of his adult life working part-time, and has built meaningful relationships despite communication challenges. His accomplishments are remarkable—but they also reflect decades of unwavering support from his parents.
When Lee was born in the mid-1980s, autism was poorly understood, and his parents had to learn through experience how to best support him. They adjusted their careers to meet his needs, retired in California so he could stay connected to the racing community he loves, and have continued advocating for him every step of the way. His father, Don, helps him prepare for races, while his mother, Sally, has tirelessly connected him with services and specialists that have helped him thrive. Like many parents of adults with disabilities, they eventually faced the question: What will happen to Lee when we’re no longer here?
That’s what brought Sally to JLA Trust as a consulting client. She wanted to ensure the support system she and her husband had built wouldn’t disappear when they were gone. Together, we developed a detailed roadmap for Lee’s future, identifying his long-term needs and putting plans in place to meet them. Today, that plan is nearly complete, and JLA Trust has helped connect the Passehl family with valuable resources they didn’t even know were available.
Mark
Sailing through life’s waves…
Long-time JLA client Mark believes kindness is a strength. One of his guiding philosophies is that people deserve respect until they prove otherwise. “All women are ladies, and all men are gentlemen until proven otherwise,” he says. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mark grew up in Park La Brea before moving to Encino Hills and credits his confirmation saint, Saint Felix, with helping guide him through many of life’s decisions.
As a young man, Mark worked as a waiter at the once-famous Bistro Garden in Beverly Hills before becoming a top salesperson for the Daily News. But a devastating freeway accident changed everything. Debris from a crash shattered his collarbone and left him with nerve damage and a concussion that affected him for years. Although he worked hard to return to his career, the lasting effects of his injuries eventually led him to apply for disability benefits.
Today, Mark enjoys a quieter but fulfilling life in an apartment overlooking Ventura Boulevard. His inheritance, protected through his JLA Trust, helps cover his rent and essential expenses while he lives modestly on Social Security. He spends his time baking desserts, playing poker with friends, staying active, and taking long walks. “I’ve got a nice little world,” Mark says. “I walk around and I talk to people.” It’s a simple outlook, but one that’s carried him through life’s challenges with optimism and grace.
Bobby
Standing up for change…
Bobby joined JLA Trust in 2024 after receiving a settlement as one of the lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit against his former housing provider, Skid Row Housing Trust. The lawsuit, brought with the help of Venskus & Associates and the California Women’s Law Center, exposed dangerous living conditions that included toxic mold, lead, asbestos, bed bugs, and unsafe shared restrooms. When Bobby first tried to get those issues addressed, he was repeatedly ignored. Instead of giving up, he helped organize his neighbors and became an advocate for change.
The experience taught Bobby the power of collective action. “Some people don’t want to help,” he says, “and others you’d never expect end up helping the most.” Long before becoming an activist, Bobby had lived many lives—growing up in Nevada, working as a night watchman and waiter, training as a sous chef, and earning a bachelor’s degree in art history from USC. Today, he hopes people see beyond the label of “Skid Row resident” and recognize the person behind it.
As one of five plaintiffs who established a JLA Trust, Bobby has been able to protect his public benefits while using his settlement to build a more secure future. He’s purchased a new computer, keeps his dog Hercules healthy with regular vet visits, and has been able to better care for his own health. Although he and several other residents are still waiting to be relocated from the condemned building, Bobby remains hopeful. “We are in a good place,” he says, “and we are fighting against discrimination and apathy for other people with the help of organizations like JLA Trust. Thank you!”