Well-known Benefactor Comes To The Aid of Cary, NC Autism School

Today's blog is to share some exciting news about fundraising efforts for the Mariposa School. Recently the school received a "challenge grant" from a well-known philanthropist, Doris Buffett.

So what's a "challenge grant"? Basically the school has been "challenged" to raise 100,000 by Dec. 1st, 2008 in order to receive a grant of $50,000 from a foundation called, "The Sunshine Lady Foundation." The Sunshine Lady Foundation is a charitable organization founded by Doris Buffett, the sister of billionaire Warren Buffett. Doris Buffett personally called Jacqueline Gottlieb, Mariposa’s Head of School, to communicate the challenge. It's not easy for a small school to receive this type of recognition and a grant of this kind. This is a major win! Mrs. Buffett is a very special lady to make this happen.

There's a wonderful interview with Doris Buffett online. For those of you interested in learning more, click here. I love one of the things she said in the interview about educating children & the work of her foundation.

" We have a mission. We know the area we want to work in, and we stay within that. And it’s to help women and children, basically. It’s to level the playing field, to give opportunities for education to people, because as far as I know, that’s the only thing that really does anything, is education. " (source: Doris Buffet interview, C-SPAN's "Q & A" program Sunday night, May 11, 2008)

Mrs. Buffett is right on....education is what helps children, particularly children with Autism. The right education, and early intervention can put them on the track to becoming verbal, independent and productive.

Funding for the school helps the children at Mariposa School today, plus, the many more children with autism who are appplying for admission to this very special school. If the school can raise the funds then there will be funding to help support a much needed expansion of student programs. This includes early intervention programs. Early intervention is so vital for youngsters challenged by autism.

The mission of the school is to provide intensive instruction in a supportive environment designed to improve communication skills & the quality of life for children with autism. If you're out there reading this blog, please help meet the challenge, and make a contribution to the school today.

Gifts and donations are tax deductible and your help can change the life of a child for the better! Mrs. Buffett is already making a difference, now you can too!

The Mariposa School: Progress. Excitement. Transformation. Hope.

The numbers of parents receiving the news that their child has autism continues to escalate, and time and time again, and its a fact that that there aren’t enough services available for them. Some public schools are not equipped to provide the intensive education theses special children require to meet their maximum potential. Time is ticking for these children, and we can’t allow it to slip by. Research has shown that early intervention is critical. Early intervention makes a dramatic difference both for the quality of the child’s life as well as the family. And that's what we do at the Mariposa School. We offer early intervention programs to help these special kids.

Because each child is unique, every student’s program is different. By working as a team, each teacher augments the input and efforts of the other teachers. There is no one right way to teach, as the methods for learning are as individual as each child.

This blog is a way to spread the word about what we've learned at the Mariposa School. Mariposa School focuses on teaching children with autism and other developmental disabilities how to use functional communication skills in order to interact with others and get their needs met. By giving these kids a means to communicate, frustration and behavioral issues are reduced. Join us here to share your experiences and learn about how to help these children.

We're listening. All children deserve a chance to learn and grow.