Hi Everyone!

As many of you know, I have been working at the REACH School in South Portland, Maine for close to 9 years now. Our school provides developmental, speech and occupational therapies for children ages 2-5 with autism spectrum disorders. This work is my passion. I truly feel like I am one of the most fortunate people to work with this population each and every day.

I started here at REACH School in 2000 as a teacher in a classroom of 5 students. I have also been a lead teacher in our Red Star Classroom and I am currently the Program Coordinator, helping to keep our school in working order, but also I have the honor of meeting with prospective families. This part of my job is truly the most special to me. It is important to me that families have a person to listen to their stories, offer support and to have a place where they can feel their children are safe, loved and nurtured while receiving the highest quality intervention.

We are constantly finding ourselves in the face of budget cuts. If it weren't for the donations of our friends and families, our school wouldn't have some of the necessary resources (computers in classrooms, curriculum materials, toys, etc.)

This past summer we expanded our school to add another classroom to support the increasing need for services for children with ASD in our community. We are lucky to have some of the most dedicated, hardworking and passionate teachers who come to work for the love of these children, not their paychecks. We are all here because we know we can make a difference in the lives of these children and families and nothing can feel more rewarding.

Next year Grace will be enrolling in the schools Integrated Program. She will be a student in our Green Star classroom with both typically developing children and children wtih developmental delays.  I am excited for her to be a part of such a nurturing and attentive environment, learning amongst children of differing abilities. I know she will offer a great dynamic to the class and in turn have what I consider an opportunity of a lifetime.

I thank you for taking time to learn about my school and consider making a donation to help support the children and families at REACH!

All the best,

Lucy