The holiday season glowed brighter for the 19 families that received Orange Effect Foundation grants in December 2017. Following a thorough review process, more than $56,000 was awarded to families in need to fund speech therapy and to purchase speech technology. Grants were awarded to children in Minnesota, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio.
With this latest round of grants, the Orange Effect Foundation is funding 525 hours of speech therapy, summer speech camps, and four speech-generating devices. Children who yearn to communicate with their friends but can only do so now with gestures will receive the therapy they need to express themselves and interact with parents, teachers, and friends. One grant will fund in-home specialized therapy for a child too ill to travel. Another grant will augment current therapy by funding one additional speech session a week, a crucial therapy plan for a child with apraxia.
In each of these instances, speech therapy is vital for self-confidence and overall well-being. Parents are aware that their child’s inability to communicate often makes them sad, withdrawn, and frustrated. Fortunately, they reached out to the Orange Effect Foundation for assistance. The Orange Effect Foundation understands that intensive, individualized treatment can help lessen the disabling isolation that may result from communication disorders.
Orange Effect Foundation board member Curtis Danburg recognizes, “How frustrating it must be for a parent to know what is needed to help their child but unable to do so because of financial constraints.” By funding speech therapy for children and families who simply cannot afford the therapy and technology they need, the Orange Effect Foundation helps to lay the foundation for a new life trajectory. Children’s lives are changed for the better.
The Orange Effect Foundation awards quarterly grants through a competitive application and review process. The next grant application deadline is February 15, 2018. For more information and to obtain a copy of the grant application visit theorangeeffect.org.
About the Orange Effect Foundation
The Orange Effect Foundation 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 6, 2018, at Elyria Country Club. For more information, please contact theorangeeffect.org.
