CLEVELAND – April 8, 2019 – PRLog — The Orange Effect Foundation (OEF) is proud to announce that more than $50,000 in grants was awarded to children in need during the first quarter 2019 grant cycle. Grants awarded nationwide will pay for summer speech camps, speech therapy, and speech generating devices.
OEF empowers children and young adults with speech disorders to communicate directly. The foundation understands that intensive, individualized treatment can help lessen the disabling isolation that may result from communication disabilities. OEF grant recipients, many on the autism spectrum and others diagnosed with apraxia, have been able to go to speech camps, receive individual speech therapy sessions, and receive complex technology that changes their lives for the better.
Executive Director Pam Pulizzi says that parents tell her that OEF grants are game changers for their children. “One parent told us that their OEF grant will open up a whole new world for their daughter. Another said she and her son’s therapist cried ‘big, happy tears’ when they learned he had received funds to purchase a speech generating device.”
OEF awards quarterly grants through a comprehensive application and review process. All applicants must demonstrate medical and financial need. Program Manager Maureen Stanton explains that, “OEF grants are designed to help those without any other source of funding.” For this reason, parents of applicants are asked to share their story and explain why a grant is medically and financially needed.”
OEF does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, or sexual orientation. Although grants are awarded based on financial need, the foundation does consider extenuating circumstances. In all cases, OEF prefers to be the funder of last resort, relying on corporate, community, and individual support to raise funds.
The next grant application deadline is May 15, 2019. For more information and to obtain a copy of the grant application visit theorangeeffect.org.
About the Orange Effect Foundation
The Orange Effect Foundation (https://theorangeeffect.org/) strives to ensure that every single person has the ability to communicate. The foundation, while officially formed in 2014, actually began back in 2001 when the founders’ son was born with autism. Early intervention has led him to be a very heartwarming and independent young man. The Pulizzi family wanted to give back by empowering other children with the therapy and tools they need to communicate effectively.
In 2007, Golf for Autism was started, in time raising over $130,000 for autism and speech therapy services. This year’s event will be held on August 5, 2019, at Elyria Country Club. For more information, please contact www.theorangeeffect.org.
