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Githens  Center will celebrate longevity and community support at its 20th annual events.

A volunteer at Medford Leas assists Yadira during an After-School Program swimming trip.

20th Annual Bike/Walk-A-Thon and Golf Classic

Augmentative Communication Devices

After-School/Emergency Relief Program

While affordable child care is a problem for many working parents, it is even more of a challenge for parents of children/adult children with disabilities. The After-school/Emergency Relief Program (ASP) at Githens Center addresses this critical issue.

 

The individual can enroll in the After-school Program as a regular participant or in the Emergency Relief component during unanticipated periods of time.

 

Specialized care is provided in a safe, stimulating environment that allows opportunities for participation in activities that promote independence, socialization, life skills training and interaction with non-disabled/typically developing peers in group and individual settings.  Activities include arts and crafts; group and individual games; homework; Boy Scouts Venturing Program; snack time; and story time. Community-based activities

include trips to the library, art galleries, FunPlex, Sesame Place, Historic Philadelphia, the Please Touch Museum, the Discovery Museum, the Philadelphia Zoo, the New Jersey Aquarium and local swimming pools.  Positioning and other therapeutic interventions are integrated as recommended for each participant. All of these components add up to a dynamic, fun-filled experience for everyone.

specially constructed computers, and electronic augmentative devices that produce speech.

 

Tysai, a student at Githens Center, recently demonstrated how well he can communicate using an augmentative speech device.  With his parents by his side, he led the audience in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance at the Sam’s Clubs Good Works Breakfast in Cinnaminson, N.J.  The audience stood at attention while Tysai’s speech therapist, Linda Paul, assisted him with the touch activation which

Communication is an absolute necessity for human survival and a reasonably high quality of life.  Many Githens Center consumers have physical disabilities that limit speech muscle movement, hindering effective verbal communication.  One way they productively express themselves at school, work, home, and the community is through the use of augmentative communication devices.  These devices include object boards, picture books,

started the pre-recorded Pledge.  A young boy’s voice filled the room and everyone recited in unison.  Tysai flashed his thousand-watt smile and the attendees applauded his efforts.  This device allowed him to successfully complete a task that any typically developing student would be able to accomplish.

The Golf Classic is on Monday, September 29, 2008 at Deerwood Country Club in Westampton, NJ.  Both events will generate valuable resources for the unique programs and services at Githens Center and build community support for the agency.  The only way they meet these objectives is with the assistance of its board, staff, families, and volunteers.

 

Githens Center expects to have

a record number of participants this year and to raise the largest amount of funds to date.  Please join us by volunteering, donating money or in-kind goods or services, and by participating.  You can also spread the word about the historical importance of the events this year.  Githens Center is counting on you to support the children and adults that we serve.

Nonprofit organizations are constantly challenged with raising money.   Githens Center is fortunate to have produced two successful events annually for the past 19 years: the Bike/Walk-A-Thon and Golf Classic.  Githens Center will reach a milestone this year with its 20th Annual events. The Bike/Walk-A-Thon is on Saturday, June 7, 2008, beginning at Bobby’s Run School in Lumberton, NJ. 

Tysai , assisted by Speech Therapist Linda Paul, leads Sam’s Clubs Good Works

Breakfast

attendees in

reciting the Pledge of

Allegiance.

Messages