(EAST BOSTON) As she and other teachers worked with students in the autism program at East Boston’s Samuel Adams School, Michelle Lamacchia faced a major obstacle early this year.
The teaching curriculum that her staff follows — developed by the New England Center for Children and approved by the Boston public school system — had changed to an online system which required periodic use of computers by faculty and administrators.
Yet the school had no budget for new computer equipment.
Lamacchia and Irvin reached out to Boston real estate firm City Realty Group, which operates a non-profit community service organization named CityKids.
Staffers from the company visited the school last month, and this week the children and teachers from the autism strand at the Adams school gathered in the school’s auditorium to get a first look at 10 new laptop computers presented by Stephen Whalen, managing partner of City Realty.
The donation “will enable all of our teachers to have the technology to use this curriculum to its potential,” Lamacchia said. “Ultimately, this will lead to greater gains for our students.”
Whalen said the donation is one part of his firm’s youth program: intended to provide the children of Boston with unique experiences and educational resources. Over the past year the company has donated 250 Chromebook computers to area schools and youth organizations. The program also sponsors healthy events and outings for teen-agers, playground cleaning and restorations, and a summer jobs program.
"The kids of this city will shape Boston’s future," Whalen said. "As a local business, we feel an obligation to help the schools and equip them with the tools necessary for a successful education."
At the Adams school, which teaches children from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, "our early childhood team not only teaches our students the skills they need in order to learn, but also makes school a fun, inviting, and safe place to learn," Lamacchia said. I am so proud of this program and the team of professionals that we have here at the Adams.”
Source: ANDREW SCHERDING l
(508) 246-6664;
ascherding@qmarketinginc.com
The following message is from the group Italia Unita.
It's that time of year!
It has been a tradition for many years that Italia Unita has participated in supporting the Italian Home For Children. We have been very successful in the past and will continue to support this worthy organization.
This year we have decided to expand our efforts and also support a local organization called Crossroads located in East Boston. Their mission is to “support families as they transition from homelessness to independent living and self-sufficiency”.
Below, you will find a list of desired items along with an "Individual Child Wish List" (linked at eastboston.com) that was sent to us by the Italian Home For Children.
For Crossroads we will collect: Non perishable food item, new toys for children, Women's clothing and as a nice gesture, gifts for a women to receive for Christmas.
Please drop off your items office on December 13th from 9:30AM - 11:30AM at 35 Bennington Street, East Boston and join us for some Christmas Cheer, light refreshments and lively conversation!
We thank you in advance for your generosity and wish you a very happy holiday season!
Italian Home for Children
www.italianhome.org
2014 Holiday Wish List
Toys Needed Most
Action Figures (Non-Violent)
Arts & Crafts Kits
Art Supplies (including yarn and gimp)
Books (ages 4 – 14)
CDs (No “Parental Advisories”)
CD Boom boxes
Game boy Advance SP, Dual Screen or Micro
Game boy Games
Headphones, Ear Buds
Jewelry & Bead Kits (for older children)
Moon Sand
Lego’s
Matchbox Cars and Trucks
Personal CD/MP3 Players
Play station 2, X-Box or Game Cube and games
Puzzles
Stress balls
Yoga Balls
Other Toys
Model Magic
Clay for Sculpting
Crossword Puzzles/Word Searches
Children’s DVDs (G & PG only)
Disposable Cameras
Dolls (All Ethnic Groups)
Handheld Games (Tetris, Yatzee, etc.)
Musical Instruments (any kind)
Nerf Over the door basketball hoop
Remote Control Cars and Trucks
Small “Goody Bag” Toys
Dodge Balls
Volley balls,
Basketballs
Soccer balls,
Coloring books
Stickers
Kid’s trivia cards
Helmets
Batteries...Batteries...Batteries...Batteries...Batteries...Batteries...Batteries!
(All kinds needed, but especially AA and 9-Volt for toys, remotes, etc.)
GAMES
Aggravation, Boggle, Cadoo, Checkers, Chess, Clue, Connect Four, Don’t Break the Ice, Educational Games, Mancala, Memory, Mousetrap, Pictionary for Kids, Playing Cards, Sorry, Uno, Uno Attack, Scrabble Slam, SpongeBob Kid Cranium, The Best of Charades for Kids.
DORM NEEDS
Bakeware, Bean Bag Chairs, Birthday Party Supplies, Cooking & Serving Utensils, Decorative Pillows & Blankets, DVD Players, Microwave Ovens, Plastic Tablecloths & Utensils, Posters (Kid Art, action figures, Disney characters, sports players), Pots & Pans, Storage Bins, Toasters, Toy Chests, Tupperware, TVs, Wrapping Paper, Tape and Ribbon, VCR’s, Ear Buds.
SCHOOL NEEDS
Books, Drawing Paper, Educational Children’s DVDs, Glue, Laminating Paper, Paint Brushes, Paints, Playground Balls, Poster board
CLOTHING
Sizes: Girls sizes 6-20, Women’s 12-22, Boys 8-20, Men 30-38 inch waist, S-XXL including Husky sizes, Athletic wear, Baseball Caps, Bathing Suits, Bathrobes (Boys & Girls), Belts (Boys & Girls), Boots, Casual Shirts, Dress Shirts, Dresses, Flip Flops, Gloves/Mittens (winter), Hats (winter), Jackets (winter and spring), Jeans, Pajamas, Shoes, Shorts, Socks, Slacks, Slippers, Sneakers, Snowsuits, Sports Team jerseys, Sweaters, T-Shirts, Underwear
HYGIENE ITEMS
Bath & Shower Gels (for boys and girls), Body Lotion, Brushes, Combs & Picks, Deodorant, Hair Care Products (for all ethnicities), Plastic Soap Holders, Shower Caps, Shampoo, Toothbrushes, Toothbrush Holders, Wave Caps/Head Wraps
GIFT CARDS
AC Moore, AMC Movie Theatres, Best Buy, Blockbuster, Gap, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Macy’s, Michaels, Old Navy, Sears, Showcase Movie Theatres, Target, T.J. Maxx, Toys-R-Us, Wal-Mart, B.J’s, Build a Bear, Plaster Fun Time, Chuck E. Cheese.
Batteries...Batteries...Batteries...Batteries...Batteries...Batteries...Batteries!
(All kinds needed, but especially AA and 9-Volt for toys, remotes, etc.)
