Year In Review and other news

News from Understanding Our Differences

JUNE 2024

Hello Rebecca,

Our year is wrapping up on a high note, with a wonderful celebration of Understanding Our Differences (UOD) at our Spring Benefit held on May 9th. It was a true pleasure to connect with old and new friends and to share all we have accomplished after a challenging year. Special thanks are due to our Honorary Co-Chairs Mary-Ellen Efferen and Katherine Read, to our Spring Benefit Committee and to our Host Committee for a beautiful evening.

Our UOD Ambassadors from Newton and beyond enjoyed well-deserved recognition, as did our two Rising Ambassadors: Sean McIntyre, NPS graduate who ran 50 miles to benefit UOD, and Gabrielle Barker, Northeastern University student and North Reading resident, who ran the Boston Marathon in April to benefit UOD! Our program speaker, Jacob Myers, shared his life experiences and answered questions from the audience with true joie de vivre. Click here for more details and photos.

Read on to learn more about our "year in review," as we share our new ways of reaching children and the community in the city of Newton and our ongoing, very successful outreach to many schools and districts in Massachusetts.

As always, our success starts with you - and your belief in our mission and values, and support for this vital work of fostering respect and inclusion for all!

With much gratitude,

Rebecca Lubens

Executive Director

UOD in Newton

For most of the past year, UOD has been focused on reinventing how we bring disability awareness education to Newton students and the community. With the conviction that our decades of expertise can be applicable in many settings, we are finding notable success, especially in partnership with other Newton organizations. Here are a few examples:

We are now offering creative UOD programming across Newton afterschools – reaching students in a new way - thanks to winning a competitive grant from the George and Louise Hauser Charitable Trust. Recently we provided an Inclusive Communication Station to the afterschool program at the Newton Boys and Girls Club. As always, the students were very engaged and asked great questions!

Our reinvention is also possible because we are rich not only in knowledge but also in resources. The braillers that were always part of our Blindness & Low Vision unit were put to great use in our Celebrating 200 Years of Braille event at the Newton Free Library. Dozens of fascinated and curious kids and parents crowded around the stations on our Braille Trail.

Our lively year included a number of other meaningful Newton-based events, which you can learn about in our video (click the button below; narration added for accessibility). Stay tuned for another busy year of Newton programming ahead, with a special event already scheduled in July, see below!

Click here to view "UOD in Newton" video

UOD in Area Schools and Districts

Working with schools and districts in the area this year has been incredibly rewarding. We've enjoyed working closely with partners in the following districts:

Arlington

Dover-Sherborn

Lexington

Manchester-Essex Regional School District

Melrose

North Andover

North Billerica

North Reading

Wakefield (UOD speaker pictured in image)

Wayland

Some schools have adopted our traditional programming for 2nd-5th grade students and have adapted it for their unique school environment. Consulting with Understanding Our Differences, other schools have delivered more customized programming to meet their needs. Finding creative ways to bring disability awareness programming to new and returning schools has made it possible for UOD to continue to expand our program offerings to even more schools, districts and communities. Enjoy our new video summary of this activity by clicking the button below. Narration added for accessibility.

We welcome your interest in bringing school or community programming like this to your area. To learn more about the process see our FAQ and contact Jenni Acosta, UOD Director of Curriculum, Growth and Technology, jacosta@understandingourdifferences.org.

Click here to view "UOD in Area Schools/Districts" video

Save the Date: Disability Pride Celebration in Newton

This July marks Disability Pride Month and also the 34th anniversary of the signing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To celebrate these significant events, Understanding Our Differences is joining with Newton's Commission on Disability and the Newton Free Library to present an engaging dialogue about disability through a moderated panel of local speakers with disabilities, "What does disability pride mean to you?" followed by a Q&A and discussion with the audience. This special event will take place on Wednesday, July 17th at 7:00pm in the Druker Auditorium at Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street in Newton.

Disability pride presents people with disabilities as people living their lives in plain view, proud of their identity as being disabled. During this lively panel discussion, you will hear and learn from the authentic voices of people with disabilities, who will reflect on their life experiences and welcome conversation. Mark your calendar today and plan to join us!

Support our Spring Appeal Today

As we wrap up our fiscal year on June 30, your donation to Understanding Our Differences will support our many impactful, interactive disability awareness programs like the ones described above. Your gift will ensure that even more children feel understood and included!

There are many ways to give! Prefer to give by check?

Mail to Understanding Our Differences, PO Box 600671, Newtonville, MA 02460

Click here to donate by credit card

Click here to donate from your Donor Advised Fund

Click here to donate with Venmo

Click here to budget your gift monthly

We thank you!

Save the Date: September 25th Webinar

We are excited to be planning an exceptional fall webinar - Sept. 25th at 7:00 pm - for parents/caregivers and professionals with expert presenter Dr. Christopher Willard, Mindful Resilience: Practical Strategies for the Whole Family.

A sought-after speaker and author, Dr. Willard has extensive experience working with individuals and families, and he specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression and stress-related disorders. He has also worked with numerous schools and organizations to help them implement mindfulness-based programs that enhance emotional regulation, resilience and performance.

Stay tuned! Advance registration will open on our website in August.