The Founders | Our Mission: Filling a Need | Board of Directors | Honorary Board | Staff On October 18th 1997, Keith and Leslie Litt-Resnick were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, whom they named Lili Claire. While Lili was still a tiny infant, the Resnicks learned that she had been born with a neurogenetic birth defect called Williams Syndrome, which would result in life-long cognitive disabilities as well as physical disabilities. The diagnosis was overwhelming for the Resnicks, as they realized that their daughter's life would be filled with unexpected challenges. Would society allow her to explore her innate gifts and abilities? Or would she be defined by her physical and mental limitations? Would she have the opportunity to dream and make her mark on the world? Or would society neglect her, casting her off into its shadows?
The Resnicks made a commitment to their daughter to always support and encourage her to believe in a bright future. Tragically, Lili never got a chance to see what her tomorrow would bring; she died at five-and-a-half months after an extensive open-heart surgery to correct a severe heart condition common to Williams Syndrome. Nevertheless, the Resnicks resolved to share the promise they made to Lili with other children like her, who live with neurogenetic disorders. They created the Lili Claire Foundation ® in 1998 to help enhance the lives of these individuals and their families through medical and social services. Additionally, the Lili Claire Foundation strives to encourage these children and young adults so that they may discover their innate talents and abilities and live productive, independent lives. Today, Keith Resnick works as the Executive Director of the Lili Claire Foundation ®. Prior to this, he enjoyed a long career in the entertainment industry, where he held various leadership positions at Golden West Television Productions, InterStar Releasing and Arlington Television Group. He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. His wife Leslie Litt-Resnick, Co-Founder of the organization, is a two-time Emmy Award Nominee for her work on the hit comedy 'Friends' and previously has held positions as Director of Casting for Disney, NBC and Warner Bros. Television. She is a graduate of UCLA. Our Mission: Filling A Need The greatest wish of every expectant parent is to bring a healthy child into the world. Recent studies however, indicate that every year more than 20,000 children are born with a neurogenetic condition such as Williams syndrome, Down syndrome or autism. As a legacy to Lili, The Lili Claire Foundation helps to ease the challenges these families face by providing a unique and comprehensive blend of support services through our Lili Claire Family Resource Centers in partnership with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Nevada School of Medicine (UNSOM). Each center provides comprehensive holistic programs and services designed to enhance all aspects of an individual’s life: medical, psychosocial, educational and vocational – from infancy through adulthood. Through community outreach, the centers are able to provide a unique blend of clinical expertise to ensure that every child living with a neurogenetic condition receives the best, most compassionate care available. Programs and Services:
Gordon Absher MGM Mirage Gary Ackerman Anthony Bonnici Lotus Broadcasting Phyllis Coblentz Children's Health Council Dr. John Rhodes Rhodes Homes Ed Rogich International Game Technology Dr. Laura Weidenfeld Red Rock Radiology Honorary Board -Back to the top of the page- Art Director Kari Bishop Dana Collinson Wendy James Elizabeth Logan Administrative Assistant Grant Writing Coordinator Keith Resnick Teri Webb Grant Writer
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The Lili Claire Foundation • 2800 28th Street, Suite 160, Santa Monica, California, 90405 •
Phone • 310.396.4355 • Fax • 310.396.2127 • Email staff@liliclairefoundation.org •
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