Westside Regional Center Celebrated Grand Opening of New El Segundo Facility 

New Location Offers Greater Space, Access and Comfort for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — (Sept. 4, 2026) — Westside Regional Center (WRC) celebrated the grand opening of its new El Segundo facility on Sunday, Aug. 30, welcoming clients, families, community leaders and special guests to its new home after 38 years in Culver City.

“It’s an honor to welcome WRC to El Segundo,” said El Segundo Councilmember Drew Boyles. “For me, this is also personal. A member of my family is a WRC client, and I’ve seen firsthand how transformational its work can be, helping people with developmental disabilities live with greater independence, dignity and opportunity. WRC doesn’t just provide services; it helps people build fuller, more independent lives. I’m incredibly proud that El Segundo will now be part of that mission.”

Along with El Segundo Councilmember Boyles, local civic leaders were in attendance, including Lawndale Mayor Pro Tem Sirley Cuevas, Hawthorne Councilmember Paulette Francis, and Peter Cervinka, Director, Department of Developmental Services.

The event included a special book signing with actress and author Sofia Sanchez, known for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Monster High. Subodh Garg, best known for Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, also joined the celebration.

WRC's work can help those with developmental disabilities attend school, build friendships, pursue employment and participate fully in their communities.

“I am so excited to see so many of our clients and friends come to see the new building,” said Almarietha Mathews, President of the WRC Board of Directors. “We’re just beginning, and there’s a whole lot more coming. The Family Resource Center gives parents easy access to the services and support they need, while giving children a wonderful space to play. It’s a tremendous improvement over what we had before.”

The three-floor location includes a Family Resource Center, where parents can more easily access resources and support while children have space to play and families can connect with one another. 

“Westside Regional Center’s goal is to help each individual with a developmental disability live their best life – to maximize their hopes, dreams and wishes, just like anyone else,” Mathews added. “By being closer to where people live, we’re giving our clients and their families easier access to the support and services they need, and hopefully that will improve their lives, which is what our goal is.”

About Westside Regional Center
WRC’s mission is to support people with developmental disabilities, their families, and communities of choice by facilitating access to person-centered, culturally responsive services and resources. WRC is one of the 21 regional centers that provide services to persons with a disability and children who have a need for early intervention services. Most services and supports are free regardless of age or income.

For more information about Westside Regional Center, please visit https://westsiderc.org/.

About the City of El Segundo
The City of El Segundo is a thriving coastal community in southwestern Los Angeles County. The city’s vibrant economy includes leaders in aerospace and defense, bioscience, information technology, energy, real estate, creative media, and toys. The city has seen tremendous growth and evolution over the past several years and is home to Mattel, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Air Force Base Space Systems Command, and the Los Angeles Chargers, Kings, Lakers, and Sparks.