ANDRUS COO Brian Farragher interviewed on BronxNet television
Hear our COO speak about the services ANDRUS provides including our special education school, mental health clinics and the Sanctuary Institute. Farragher is also the co-author, with Dr. Sandra Bloom, of a recently published book, Destroying Sanctuary, an in-depth look into human services. To learn more about his book, read the article on our website. |
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Hope Space Expands
Hope Space is a two acre project on the ANDRUS campus in Yonkers devoted to environmental programming. In the past few months the program has expanded rapidly and the renovation of our two historic greenhouses is near completion.
Hope Space includes organic vegetable, fruit and flower gardens, a contemplative labyrinth, the two historic greenhouses and a horticulture and earth science classroom which is part of the Orchard School for special education.
"Hope Space is dedicated to engendering hope for the future in the hearts of the children and families we serve," said Nancy Ment, President and CEO. "We know that the cycles of nature, growth and renewal in Hope Space help heal and support the children in our care who have suffered trauma and loss."
What's growing in the gardens? Vegetables, plants, pumpkins, watermelons and more. The children enjoy learning and observing how things grow. Along with being educational, working in the garden has been therapuetic for many of the children on campus and provides a feeling of accomplishment for them.
 One of our residential cottages is even raising a coop full of chickens! The children and staff are awaiting fresh eggs to use in cooking activities and meals. Along with providing fresh eggs, the chickens will contribute to the therapuetic environment of Hope Space. "It has been shown that therapeutic work with animals can assist in decreasing aggression and negative self image while increasing cooperative behavior, empathy and social relatedness" says Frances Clayton, a social worker at Andrus.
The Thursday Club, a philanthropic group based in the Rivertowns, held its 88th Annual Benefit dinner dance and auction in April and raised $80,000 for the Hope Space project at ANDRUS.
Each year the Club chooses a Westchester-based organization to support with the event's proceeds. Ms. Ment spoke at the dinner, warmly praising the way "this collaboration brings together two premier organizations that, for more than 80 years, have been committed to the communities of Westchester County, and families and children who live here." Thursday Club President Lynn Sobel agreed, noting that "Andrus is a wonderful partner for the Club in serving and healing local children. We are so pleased to support your outstanding work." |
