Welcome New Board Members! I was startled when I realized that Orange Effect Foundation entered its 10th year of operations when the calendar turned to 2024. This realization followed our December board meeting where one of our founding members, Cathy McPhillips, shared that she would be resigning from the board. What would our next steps be, I wondered. Cathy, like all our board members, …
speech disorders
Unlocking Communication: Navigating the Complexities of Communication Disorders and Empowerment
In today's blog post, we're excited to share an insightful article from Pacific Medical Training on the critical topic of communication disorders and their impact on individuals' lives. From developmental delays to acquired conditions, communication disorders encompass a wide spectrum of challenges that can significantly affect one's ability to interact, learn, and thrive. Join us as we explore …
The Emotional Journey Behind Every Check Written by the Orange Effect Foundation
The very first check I wrote, I cried. The act of writing a check can hold more weight than the mere transfer of funds. It can symbolize hope, progress, and the tangible impact of collective efforts. During the inaugural meeting of the Orange Effect Foundation, held in a meeting room of a local coffee shop, six of us gathered with a shared mission: to make a difference in the …
Being Resolute
I love making resolutions. For me, it’s permission to keep trying. Whether that is trying something new by setting a new goal or revising a previously set to-do item. For me, resolutions don’t have to be all about doing something better; it can be just getting something done. My birthday is about halfway through the year, which for a resolution maker like myself is pretty handy. I find myself …
Orange Effect Foundation Awards Grants for Fourth Quarter 2023
The Orange Effect Foundation (OEF) recently awarded $24,289 to 11 children and young adults across the United States with speech disorders. This quarter’s grants were awarded after a thorough review process by dedicated members of the Orange Effect Board of Directors. “We’re delighted to announce the recent allocation of grant funds by the Orange Effect Foundation to support children and …
Grateful Hearts, Shared Stories: The Orange Effect Foundation’s Impact
At the Orange Effect Foundation, we find it easy to be grateful, and we have 388 compelling reasons for it. Since December 2015, we’ve had the privilege of touching the lives of 388 children across the country. We provided them with 100 speech devices and an impressive 7,248 hours of speech therapy. Our impact is undeniable, and it’s all thanks to our generous sponsors and individual donors! In …
Hard Work Can Pay Off
You’ve heard the expression, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again’. But you’ve probably also heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Put those two things together and you have quite a conundrum. For the past few years we ran a fundraising campaign asking people not to talk for 24 or 12 …
Part One: “The Power of Meditation and Mindfulness for Children with Speech Disorders”
Welcome to Part One of our series on how meditation and mindfulness can make a profound difference in the lives of children with speech disorders. In this installment, we'll explore the impact of anxiety in children with speech and communication challenges and how meditation plays a vital role in reducing anxiety and promoting better communication. Join us on this journey to discover how these …
Artistic Expressions by Persons with Autism
As a university professor in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders, I conduct various research studies. For several years, I included the study of people with autism who are visual artists in my research agenda. Cleveland State University funded my research with a Faculty Scholarship Initiative grant, and I was able to travel to interview working artists and see exhibitions of artwork, …
Orange Effect Team Member Spotlight: Krissy Leskovec
We're thrilled to introduce Krissy Leskovec, the Program Director at Orange Effect Foundation. Krissy's strong commitment and deep passion for making a positive difference in the lives of kids with speech difficulties have played a crucial role in the foundation's achievements. Today, we're taking a break from our usual topics to let Krissy guide us through some fantastic places to explore and …
ORANGE EFFECT FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS FOR THIRD QUARTER 2023
The Orange Effect Foundation (OEF) recently awarded $42,270 to children and young adults across the United States with speech disorders. This quarter’s grants were awarded after a thorough review process by dedicated members of the Orange Effect Board of Directors. “OEF is thrilled to announce that we have just awarded $42,270 to children and young adults across the nation who are bravely …
Why a Night at the Races?
We’ve written before about fundraising. It’s tough. Many organizations have a staff person dedicated to it, because fundraising needs time and attention to be successful. For the past couple of years here at The Orange Effect Foundation, we’ve done an event called Silence for Speech. We asked people to go a day without talking to learn what it's like to be a person with a communication …