New Year, New Friendships!
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Thank you for your support!
Thanks to all of you we hit our year-end fundraising goal with the #ichoosetnp year-end campaign! A very special thanks to
The Martin and Mary L. Boyer Foundation
, which, for the third year running, matched each and every dollar donated on Giving Tuesday.
Thank you to everyone who made a donation and chose to support friendship, inclusion, and empathy. We are so grateful you believe in The Nora Project and we can't wait to bring our programs to more schools in more communities thanks to your support!
Enrollment is
open
for SY20-21, and we look forward to updating you on all the new signups in the next several months.
We are hopeful and excited for what 2020 will bring our organization! Thank you and happy new year to all!
Love,
Team TNP
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New Impact Report Published
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Our latest impact data from the 2018-2019 school year has been released! The recently published report sets forth a comprehensive analysis of data collected from student participants, teachers, and parents. The impact study, undertaken by third-party program evaluator Holly Lewandowski of
Evaluation for Change
, proves that when we teach students to be curious about instead of fearful of differences, and give them the skills they need to make connections and allow them to hone and practice those skills, it elevates classroom culture and makes everyone feel like everyone belongs. In the words of our Executive Director, "Inclusion is truly the rising tide that lifts all boats." Check out the exciting data from the 2018-2019 school year.
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We are thrilled to announce a new diversity and inclusion initiative The Nora Project is undertaking in partnership with
Communities in Schools (CIS) of Chicago.
To ensure all The Nora Project lesson plans are accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, a CIS consultant and veteran TNP Project Leader are undertaking a comprehensive review of our program materials.
At the same time, thanks to the Project Innovation Grant we received from NBC Comcast last summer, we are working with
Metaphrasis
to translate all of our materials into Spanish, beginning with our Primer Pack. We can't wait for our materials to be even more inclusive!
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Congratulations to Project Leader Alex Parker, who represented The Nora Project in London at The World Congress on Special Needs Education. Alex presented his research paper on how The Nora Project impacted his students and his school last year. This year, Alex is not only teaching The Nora Project to his 3rd graders, he is facilitating The Nora Project'sextra-curricular STEMpathy program for fifth graders of all abilities.
We are so proud of Alex and his great work and commitment to inclusion!
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Here at The Nora Project, we constantly seek out ways to improve our programs. As we approach our fifth year in schools, The Nora Project Board of Directors and staff have some exciting announcements about our programs for the 2020/2021 school year.
Also, I had the pleasure of chatting with Matt Weld, host of the Teachers' Classroom podcast put on by TeachIllinois. We talked about my background, the work of The Nora Project, different types of empathy, and the importance of using precise language when talking about disability and difference. I hope you enjoy!
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We are so excited to announce that we have earned a 2019 Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. Now our community members as well as 10+ million GuideStar users can find in-depth information about our goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress. We’re shining a spotlight on the difference we make in the world.
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Other Exciting News from TNP!
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Our Program Director Katy Fattaleh was honored to be presented with this check for $2,500 from the Jackson Elementary Student Council in Elmhurst. The ceremony took place at an all school assembly where the students and staff enthusiastically spoke about what The Nora Project means to them, and how it’s changed their school. Thank you to Jackson Elementary for your commitment and support!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Jamie Schrero
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Jamie Schrero is Nora's Gwammy. She is also The Nora Project's number 1 volunteer.
Over the last year, Jamie has volunteered at training camp, packed classroom kits and sorted t-shirts and other inventory, stuffed and stamped envelopes, designed ecards and note cards, helped out at community friendship events, and entered all kinds of data into our databases.
Jamie also Co-Chaired our 2019 Garden Party, and recruited friends from far and wide to serve on the Host Committee and make the event the most successful in the history of our organization.
Jamie is engaged in the inclusion movement, always interested in learning more and advancing the rights and interests of people with disabilities.
The Nora Project could not run without her daily commitment and support. Thank you, Jamie!
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During the month of February, we will be celebrating Friendship February! Be sure to check out our social media pages for suggestions on how you can be an amazing friend and how incorporate kindness in your day!
This fun
calendar
offers simple ways to encourage kindness all month long!
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Check out our
events page
for information about various inclusive Chicago area events!
Check back often, we add new dates all the time!
Follow us on our social media pages for the most up-to-date Nora Project News!
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