As Published on WNEP.com
Jack Culkin
To view WNEP’s video of this event, CLICK HERE
A partnership between two nonprofits in Lackawanna County looks to offer a new place of learning for those who need a little extra help in the classroom.
SCRANTON, Pa. — “In order to help them prepare for that transition, we want to have the environment that’s going to be as close to what environment they’ll be walking into on that first day of kindergarten,” said Morgan Stelmack, Friendship House Executive Director of School-Based and Autism Services.
A new classroom at the Friendship House Autism Center in Scranton will now lay a foundation for what will be the start of many kids’ academic journeys.
“Nonprofits apply to Leadership Lackawanna for projects that kind of are wish list projects for themselves they don’t have the time or the funding to do them,” said Doug Hein, Leadership Lackawanna.
Selected and teamed up with a group through Leadership Lackawanna, the new learning space was designed, built, and now unveiled.
An environment that will not just benefit students, but educators, too.
“The children, as much as possible, letting them know what to expect for that transition, being as realistic as possible with a smart board with the desks, with a schedule very similar to a kindergarten classroom, that preparation is extremely important for a successful transition,” said Kristen Majdic, Friendship House ABA Clinical Director.
From the lighting design, handcrafted bookcases, and smart board, the tools in this new classroom will give kids on the autism spectrum the best chance to succeed.
“Yeah, this really just augments and supplements the high-quality care that we provide, and we’re looking forward to seeing the results of this for many years to come,” said Chris Howe, Friendship House Vice President & Chief Operating Officer.
To learn more about the services offered through the Friendship House, click here. To learn more about Leadership Lackawanna, click here.
Featured image courtesy of the Scranton Times/Tribune.