National Philoptochos Grant Recipients
Metropolis of Boston
Margaret Murphy Center for Children, Auburn, Maine
The Margaret Murphy Center for Children is dedicated to providing high quality educational services within a positive and meaningful learning environment. They are passionate in their commitment to assuring a creative, collaborative, fun and respectful partnership with their students, their families, and one another. The goal of the Center is to guide each student and support one another in becoming lifelong learners and active community members utilizing each student’s unique strengths and abilities to help guide them toward meeting their individual goals and reaching their fullest potential. National Philoptochos awarded the Margaret Murphy Center $5,000 to purchase and install commercial grade playground equipment to aid in the development of muscle tone and promoting activity. This grant was supported by the National Philoptochos Ministry Commitments of the Autism Awareness Fund and the Children’s Medical Fund. Representatives of the Metropolis were unable to visit the Center at this time but are planning a visit in the near future.
West Elementary School, Andover, Massachusetts
The West Elementary School program received $3,500 to purchase iPads as motivational and educational tools for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This grant was supported by the National Philoptochos Ministry Commitments of the Autism Assistance fund and the Children’s Medical Fund.
.JPG)
West Elementary Principal, Liz Roos, Philippa Condakes Metropolis Philoptochos, Yiota Simoglou, National Philioptochos Effie Brickman, Andover Philoptochos and Class room teacher and students
Community Connection, South Yarmouth, Massachusetts
In 2011, the United States Center for Disease Control announced that 1 in 88 American children have been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Early intervention services for pre-school age children and special education services for students are available. However, specific Autism services for students age 18-22 and adults are sorely lacking. Community Connections is addressing this need head-on by developing day-time programs, employment supports, and family supports for students and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are underserved or un-served. Community Connections provides the highest quality services and opportunities for people with disabilities. The agency fulfills that mission by serving over 650 individuals in 62 cities and towns throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.
The Community Connections of South Yarmouth received $3,500 to provide specialized staff training as well as purchasing electronic equipment and materials. This grant was supported by the National Philoptochos Ministry Commitments of the Autism Assistance Fund and the Children’s Medical Fund.
Kathy Ferreira, Service Director, Joe Krajewski, VP of Programs, Christen Gray, Fundraising Manager, Philippa Condakes, Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos, Christine Boggs, Program Manager
North Shore Educational Consortium, Kevin O’Grady School, Beverly, Massachusetts
The Kevin O’Grady School serves 50 students, ages 9 to 22, who are on the Autism spectrum. The students hail from 23 School districts north of Boston that are not equipped to meet their specialized and complex needs. The School received a grant of $5,000 to purchase iPads for use in their programs. iPads have proven to be an effective method of communication and education for those students on the Autism spectrum and who are non-verbal. This grant was funded by the National Philoptochos Ministry Commitments of the Autism Assistance Fund and the Children’s Medical Fund.
.JPG)
Colleen Dolan, Executive Director, Philippa Condakes, Metropolis Philoptochos, Deborah Walker, Grants Manager