December 2021

BPO workshops bring the joy of music to Summit students

Summit Academy students had a blast making music during a workshop with Kathleen Bassett, a music educator from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Teaching Artists Program!

Students played rhythm sticks, jingle bells and drums to different holiday songs. Kathleen got students moving, adding arm motions to some of the songs and inviting everyone to participate in a parachute game. Kathleen ended the workshop by singing verses from her Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star book.

This workshop was made possible by Dr. Elaine Rinfrette and Dr. Ilene Rothman, who have provided music enrichment opportunities to the students at Summit Academy over the past several years in memory of their son, Charlie Rothman. For the 2021-2022 school year, they have generously funded a series of workshops through the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Thank you for supporting our students and providing them with this fun and educational experience!

Honoring this year's Hope Awards recipients

The Summit Center will present its annual Hope Awards to Kathy Ralabate Doody, Ph.D., a member of Summit's Operating Board, and longtime donors Gerry and Missy Cornish at the Party for Summit on Friday, January 21, 2022 at Rich's Atrium. 

 

The Hope Awards were introduced in 2017 to recognize friends of The Summit Center who exemplify our core values: integrity, respect, adaptability, accountability, collaboration, and optimism. Honorees have demonstrated long-term dedication to the organization, and to children and adults we serve.

In 1997, Kathy’s son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Her family’s experiences led her to become a passionate advocate for individuals and families navigating the challenges of autism. Kathy is a member of the New York State Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Special Education which counsels the Office of Special Education on meeting the needs of students with disabilities. In addition, she is a consultant for many area programs, schools, and hospitals. She helped develop Au-Some Evenings at Explore & More, providing children with the opportunity for sensory-friendly play, and co-facilitates an autism support group for parents and caregivers.

 

Kathy has been a member of The Summit Center’s Operating Board since 2017. She is a true champion for individuals with autism and we are honored to present her with a Hope Award.

Missy Cornish is the co-owner of Event Artistry, a local event planning business that specializes in weddings and large corporate events. Missy served on the planning committee for the Party for Summit from 2017 to 2019 which collectively grossed nearly $650,000. Through her expertise in event design and execution, the overall experience was elevated to new levels. In 2020, she organized The Big Game, a special event that raised more than $20,000 (despite being cancelled due to Covid).

 

Gerry and Missy have been steadfast donors for the past 17 years, supporting nearly every campaign and special event since 2004. Between Gerry’s leadership on the capital campaign and the Summit Foundation investment committee, Missy’s collaboration on the Party for Summit, and their successes in introducing new donors to the organization, they have been pivotal in working towards Summit’s long-term sustainability. It is our distinct pleasure to present them with a Hope Award.

 

Proceeds from Party for Summit benefit Summit Foundation, Inc. The event will feature casino games, a sit down dinner, the Hope Awards, and live/silent auctions. Tickets are available at www.PartyForSummit.com.

STEM grant provides new learning opportunities

Thanks to the generosity of Terra Science and Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing STEM education opportunities, students at Summit Academy will have new STEM equipment to spark their interests.

 

Terra Science recently awarded The Summit Center a grant of nearly $5,000 to purchase microscopes, programmable robots, LEGO sets, and other products related to science and technology. The equipment will be used to establish new leisure clubs at the secondary school at Creekside Drive.

 

The STEM-focused clubs will enhance student learning of biology, coding, and chain reactions, while helping them build social and communication skills.

 

Our Creekside students have already used some of the STEM grant materials. Recently, students used domino sets to learn about chain reactions. We can’t wait to report back on the impact the new STEM programming has on our students!

Kindness Club donates hundreds of socks

Celebrating 35 years of service to Summit

During her tenure at Summit, Diana has created vital programs to support children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. These include, but are not limited to, S.T.E.P.S. (Success Through Engagement and Positive Supports), P.A.C.E. (Prevocational and Community Experience), respite services, and much more.

 

For many years, Diana oversaw Summit’s service coordination services, ensuring individuals and families were connected with the right programs to help them lead the best lives possible. She has also implemented multiple collaborative initiatives, most notably the Western New York Project SEARCH Collaborative. Additionally, Diana has been a member of  various Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York committees.

 

“I’ve been given incredible opportunities at Summit, way back to when we were The Language Development Program," Diana said. "My motivation has always come from the amazing people we serve and their families. And the staff at Summit, their smiles and dedication, they are unmatched. I’m so proud to work here. I always have been.”

 

We are very proud of Diana’s many accomplishments, and fortunate to have her expertise, dedication, and passion as part of the Summit team. Congratulations, Diana, on achieving this major milestone!

Pro Tips: Preparing for holiday visits

1. Prepare in advance.

If you’re planning a visit with family, think about the potential problems that might occur and try to come up with solutions beforehand. For example, if your child doesn’t like to be in crowded areas or loud places, find a quiet space they can go if they get overwhelmed.

 

Prior to visiting someone else’s home, have a plan ready if your child begins to engage in certain behaviors. Bring some of your child’s preferred items and activities so you can redirect them if they start to get upset. Pack preferred snacks or food, especially if your child is a selective eater and won’t eat the meal being served. Make sure you have an agreed upon time to leave if a situation escalates.

 

Summit’s staff will work with you to create visuals and social stories to help prepare your child for upcoming visits. Showing your child pictures of guests and the sequence of events during the visit, such as dinner then dessert, will help your child know what to expect.

 

2. Ask for assistance.

 

The Summit Center is here to help. Ask your child’s classroom team for suggestions if you’re unsure how to handle an upcoming visit. They can help identify potential challenges for your child as well as solutions that work in the classroom.

 

If possible, have someone dedicated to helping during any visits in case a problem should arise. Whether it’s a family member or friend, they should be someone who knows and feels comfortable around your child.

 

3. Provide breaks.

 

If the environment is overwhelming for your child, try to provide breaks to get them out of that environment for short periods of time. If your child likes to go on walks, take them outside every hour or half hour, weather permitting. If they enjoy car rides, go for a five-minute drive. These breaks will provide the time and space your child needs to relieve any stress they might be experiencing.

 

4. Look for warning signs.

Know the early warning signs that your child is becoming agitated or upset. If you notice your child becoming agitated, try to redirect them to a preferred activity. If they’re upset by a loud environment, find a quiet place where they can calm down. If your child tolerates noise reduction headphones, consider bringing a pair to use if the environment is loud.

 

5. Talk to your family and friends.

Have a discussion with your family and friends beforehand. Make sure they understand your child’s needs and how they can best interact with your child. For example, if your child doesn’t like to be touched, explain to your family that a high-five or thumbs up is better than a hug. Let them know when they should or should not interact. For instance, a family member’s first response when your child is upset might be to try to soothe them with words. However, more talking might escalate the situation.

 

With these tips and some extra preparation, the holiday season can be a little less stressful for you and your child.

Giving Tuesday raises more than $8,000 for S.T.E.P.S.

Summit receives $10,000 grant from Rite Aid Foundation 

Summit is one of nearly 500 partner charities across the country receiving a grant from The Rite Aid Foundation. The grants are funded through Rite Aid’s KidCents customer round-up program. The foundation donated a total of $4.8 million on Giving Tuesday this year.

 

“The Summit Center shares The Rite Aid Foundation’s caring commitment to creating healthier and more equitable neighborhoods,” said Matthew DeCamara, executive director of The Rite Aid Foundation, a public charity established by Rite Aid in 2001. “All of our Giving Tuesday grant recipients address the profound realities of racial inequities and health disparities through their own ways and strategies – and have done it during an unprecedented public-health crisis that has significantly interrupted normal programming, fundraising events and daily operations. We’re grateful to support their important work and uplift our neighborhoods together.”

Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr

Upcoming S.T.A.R. Parent Training

The Summit Center’s S.T.A.R. Training, funded by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), offers parents and caregivers new strategies to manage various stages of their child’s life. Sessions will be conducted by The Summit Center’s professional staff who have significant background, training, and experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Respite opportunities may be available at a future date for participants. 

Eligibility: All sessions are open at no cost to those who are OPWDD eligible. Those with Self-Direction must include this in their budget.  

To register: Please call Laurlen Parry, Coordinator of Community Services, at 716.799.8163 or Ashlee Bronson, Assistant Director of Community Services, at 716.799.8156. For virtual sessions, a link to the training will be emailed to you after you are registered. Please note that the registration/ approval process may take up to five days to complete. Timeframe for approval through Self-Direction may vary. Please allow sufficient time for this approval process prior to each session you wish to attend. 

 

Download the list of all upcoming S.T.A.R. trainings here.

Fact of the Month

The prevalence of autism has steadily grown during the last 20 years. A recent study  found that autism is diagnosed in 1 out of 44 children in the United States. Autism is about 4 times more common among boys than among girls. (CDC)

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Guided by evidence-based practice, we maximize life success for people facing developmental, social and behavioral challenges.

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