Fall 2014

Summertime Memories

The 2014 summer camp has come and gone, but the memories of the time spent together live on. While the CLC is certainly seasoned in summer camps, this one led to some firsts. Larger than average, 36 students participated in the camp this summer, with the adolesc

ent/young adult group attending for five weeks, and all other groups joining for four weeks.The students greatly enjoyed their themes of "Kids at Work," in the younger groups, and "See You at the World's Fair," with the elementary and young adult participants.

This year, we were excited to spice up our camp with special visitors providing fine arts programs for our students. We jammed with music instructor Victor McDermott, brushed up on our theatre skills with drama director Todd Avery, created artwork with local artist Shannon Andrus, and stepped into the world of advertising with Christian Taylor. We thank all of these artists and the Grand Rapids Fire Department who came out for a fun-filled firefighter field day with our lower primary groups.

Read more about the CLC's summer camp here.

How Sweet It Is...

In July, the Conductive Learning Center welcomed students from all over the United States and Canada to participate in its 16th Summer Program since the CLC's inception in 1999. To celebrate this momentous anniversary, students, staff, families and friends gathered on the campus of Aquinas College on the evening of July 16 for the program's Sweet Sixteen Party.

The festivities featured a sing-along with special musical guests Victor McDermott and John Lee, as well as a once-in-a-lifetime performance from the "CLC Band." Other activities included a sweet stroll down memory lane to commemorate members of the "CLC Hall of Fame," Skype greetings from Dr. Erzsbet Balogh - the former medical director of the International Peto Institute, and games for all ages.

A Word From the Program Director

Dear CLC Friends,

We are honored to report that the CLC had another fantastic year and summer camp! Thank you to all of our wonderful friends for helping the CLC's students achieve their very best! We would like to reflect on the many successes of this past year, and provide a glimpse of what lies ahead:

During last school year, your generous donations allowed us to provide students with a minimum of 20% scholarship regardless of family income.
According to our 2013-2014 Parent Satisfaction Surveys: 100% of those who reported stated that the CLC's program helped their child to make progress developmentally.
Interest in our summer camp program continues to grow, and we received an incredible amount of inquiries. To ensure we could provide a conductive education program during the summer break for all students, we extended our school year by adding a June session for children under age six. An additional 36 families participated in our traditional summer camp that started on July 7.
We want to thank former CLC staff members Terry Stelter and Jessie Brown for their tireless work through the years for our organization. We wish you both well on your future endeavors.
We welcomed three new board members in June, Lisa Cross, Linh Huynh, and Timothy Monsma, and Executive Director Karen Mueller O'Neill in September.
Thirteen Aquinas College POHI Teacher Candidates are completing their laboratory hours at the Conductive Learning Center. This includes the five Aquinas students who will be engaged in student teaching this year and will be graduating in the spring of 2015.
Professor Julia Horvath, Ph.D. and Dr. Anna Kelemen, professor of Neurology from the Andras Peto College arrived in September to teach courses and consult with the CLC.
In addition to the program director and conductor teachers, Elizabeth Filkins, Andrea Swiger and Kim Forsman, we continue our collaboration with the Andras Peto College for two purposes: providing conductors and supervision/consultation for the program.

During the 2014-2015 school year, we will continue to build relationships and collaborations, participate in IEP meetings, appear on radio and TV programs, and present to local service organizations. Thank you for joining so many incredibly hardworking children on their journey towards increased independence and a successful life.

Andrea Benyovszky, Program Director

CLC Welcomes New Executive Director

The Conductive Learning Center
welcomes Karen Mueller O'Neill as executive director. Mueller O'Neill brings significant nonprofit management experience to the CLC and assumed the role Sept. 18.

"I am deeply honored to lead such an extraordinary organization, one with a strong track record of success

in transforming the lives of children with motor disorders," said Mueller O'Neill.

"I feel fortunate to be joining the CLC at this exciting time in its history. The board of directors and staff have done a wonderful job building and sustaining the organization, and identifying hopes and dreams for its future. I look forward to leading the CLC in those next steps through building new partnerships, developing resources and programs, and

increasing awareness of the CLC and conductive education - all which will translate to more children and families served in our community and beyond."

Read the full press release here.

Join Us for an Evening of Celebration

The Conductive Learning Center's "Evening of Celebration" is more than a fundraiser: it is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the children making strides toward a more independent lifestyle. Each year the CLC exceeds expectations and puts on an extraordinary event for the entire community. Major highlight's in this year's live auction include a one week stay at "El Castillo" in Cabo San Lucas, photography packages from Christine Wedding & Portrait Design, and a two night stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs with complimentary lift tickets.

The 2014 event will be held at Watermark Country Club on Oct. 21 and includes a live and silent auction, dinner, and a scholarship drive. "An Evening of Celebration" has become one of Grand Rapids' biggest and most talked about events with an expected 350 guests. The proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Conductive Learning Center. Thank you to Meijer, the event's lead presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include: Richard H Brown Foundation, Steve & Mary Anderson, CapTrust, Keith & Shelly Harrold, Peter F. Secchia Family, and The Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation, as well as many supporters and friends of the CLC.Tickets are $125.00 per person and can be ordered online.

Aquinas POHI Students Visit Hungary

With the help of our wonderful guide, teacher and mentor, Andrea Benyovszky, the POHI Class of 2015 was able to travel to the beautiful city of Budapest, Hungary to study at the Peto Institute for two weeks. At the Peto Institute we spent time in the classroom learning about writing and language skills in children with motor disabilities. Along with learning about graphomotor functioning, we also learned about school and adolescent aged students and their needs in a conductive education classroom.