MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO

Welcome to the May issue of ECF Impact!

This is a month of many celebrations—Nurses Appreciation, Teacher’s Appreciation and more across our programs. All of the dedicated and skilled staff at ECF are critical partners in our team, making a difference for the thousands of clients and families we serve every day. And, as we kick off this month and our Annual Campaign, “Creating Opportunities,” we are celebrating YOU—your dedication and commitment to our mission that has allowed us to transform the lives of children and adults with special needs for 79 years!

Now more than ever, the community we serve relies upon us to maintain the forward progression of our mission through challenging and uncertain times. Every day, the children, students and adults we serve, and the families who love them, are overcoming challenges, celebrating milestones achieved and realizing possibilities—because of you. It takes a village. It takes a family. It takes YOU, our ECF family.

I am so grateful for this exceptional community that ensures opportunities for all we serve, unwaveringly, and supports their empowered and fulfilling futures.

With deepest appreciation,

ECF ANNUAL CAMPAIGN – CREATE OPPORTUNITIES

Each year, ECF must raise $2 million in private funding to cover the exceptional programming that helps the children and adults we serve meet milestones and gain the skills they need to live as independently as possible. We rely on our Annual Campaign donors to help us raise a significant amount of those funds. When you make a Campaign gift, you’ll help create a future of promise and possibilities for children, students and adults with special needs.

Did You Know?

To provide the highest quality services to people of all ages with special needs, ECF must raise $2M in private funding annually to cover the exceptional programming that enhances our ability to help our participants reach milestones:

• A child’s first steps
• A student’s high school graduation
• An adult’s first paycheck
• And so much more!

You can make a difference! Make your best gift to create a future of promise and possibilities for children and adults with special needs. Join us to create opportunities today at www.ECF.net/donate. Thank you!

Spotlight – Meet Samuel

Samuel is an adorable two-year-old with global developmental delays as well as speech delays. When he first came to ECF’s Early Start program, he would only communicate with his older brother Benji. Samuel could not verbally express his needs. His mother knew about ECF’s Early Start Program because she previously brought his brother Benji for some speech delays as well.

“As a first-time mom I came to Early Start to get help for my older son, and when I saw Samuel had the same delays, I knew they would help him, too. I am so grateful for the difference the program has made for both my boys.” says Sheila, Samuel’s mom.

Now, Samuel is getting speech therapy, and he will be able to increase his communication through sign language or other means of communication. He has the confidence to learn, and the world is opening up for him!

YOU’RE INVITED!

Spring Has Arrived at Exceptional Works’ Urban Garden!

The seeds of the season have sprouted at the ECF Exceptional Works Garden, featuring a diverse array of lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, corn, squash, carrots, cucumbers, herbs and flowering plants—even a blooming Christmas Cactus!

Participants from our program began their work to build the urban garden at our Exceptional Building last year, gaining valuable insight into effective planting practices, nutrition and sustainability. 

EXCEPTIONAL PARTNERS