January 2016
Celebrating CORA: 45 Years of Community Impact

Welcome to 2016! After a relaxing holiday break, CORA staff have returned to the start of our 45th year with a list of organizational priorities or "resolutions" and renewed commitment to providing innovative programs and services to better serve an ever-evolving community.
  
Prior to the holiday break and embarking on our anniversary year, we took time to celebrate the milestones of colleagues who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to improving the quality of life for thousands of children and families in the community. Of the staff who were recognized, 13 have been a member of the CORA team for 25 years or more.
  
I remain tremendously grateful for the example provided by 300 inspiring individuals each day who comprise the core of CORA and tend to our clients each day with great care and compassion. This team has remained steadfast in its delivery of service excellence during these times of fiscal uncertainty related to the budget impasse in Harrisburg. They continue to put the needs of our clients first each day and develop innovative opportunities for intervention and prevention services.
  
As we launch this anniversary year, we are planning two upcoming events with the community that we are very excited about. Mark your calendars and save the date for the Family Fun Festival on Saturday, April 23rd (11am - 3pm) and  8th Annual Golf for Kids Outing - moving to a new date and location in 2016 - Monday, June 27th at Philmont Country Club. Details regarding sponsorship and in-kind donation opportunities will be available in the next few weeks. You can be sure that these are events you will want to attend ... stay tuned to find out why!
  
One last thing ... CORA is so close to receiving a grant of $5,000 from The Rite Aid Foundation through the KidCents Program! If you have five minutes to make an impact, sign up for the wellness+ Plenti program and designate CORA as your charity of choice. We need at least 10 individuals to register by January 31st. It's a simple way to invest a little bit of time to make a big difference.
  
On behalf of the staff and clients at CORA, thank you for your continued support in both word and deed. We look forward to celebrating this 45th anniversary year with you, reflecting on our past and planning for our future. Here's to a great 2016!

 Ann Marie Schultz, CEO
CORA Kids Collage
Check out a few activities of our early years, middle school and high school students in community.

 

Early Years LaSalle regularly participates in art appreciation at the LaSalle Art Museum.  
Saint Anselm hosted a Hat & Glove Drive to benefit CORA's after school program at Thurgood Marshall.
 High school students at New Foundations explored career opportunities in Early Childhood education.  


Celebrating our Staff
Jim Harron, AnnMarie Schultz, Mary Doherty,
Pat Stoerrle and Bill Becker
CORA Honors Our Leaders

In 1975, Pat Stoerrle and Mary Doherty began their careers at
CORA Services on the same day together. Under the 94-142 law, CORA hired educators and counselors to serve the nonpublic sector in the community.
  
Over the last 40 years, Pat Stoerrle has been the face of education at CORA Services. She grew with the organization as an educator, a trainer and a leader. Her passion for children and kind attitude has helped CORA expand its nonpublic school services division. Pat has modeled professionalism to her staff in overcoming various obstacles in the field. Her flexibility has been her strength to lead a division staff of over 100 .
  
Mary Doherty's leadership and tenacity started in counseling. Mary proved to be a skilled child advocate for families throughout the city as she grew with CORA services. Her work with NPSS, day camps and grant writing has developed Mary into one of our strong, passionate leaders of the agency. It is her work in Community Services that has removed barriers for many clients to achieve their fullest potential. Mary currently serves as the Managing Director for Community Services Division.

Together, Pat and Mary are pillars of CORA, each dedicating years of service and experience. It is their loyalty, knowledge and relationships that have contributed to CORA's reputation as a unique nonprofit agency in Philadelphia.

Seedlings Program
CORA's School Services Partners with Elwyn
  
Lauren thought she won the lottery when her four year old son Mason was enrolled into the Elwyn Seedlings Program. This early intervention preschool for 3 to 5 year olds is dedicated to providing intensive programming for children with delays related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The program is rooted in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and curricula is individualized to meet each child's needs. In addition to his daily education at Seedlings, Mason is supported by a team of speech and occupational therapists provided by CORA Services.


CORA Family Festival
Saturday, April 23, 2016

CORA's annual community event is driven by dedicated staff and supported by local businesses to prepare a enjoyable event for the enjoyment of children and families in Northeast Philadelphia. Local schools and groups are invited to be featured in a talent showcase including dance teams, choirs, cheerleaders and other performers. 
 
 
Want to be a part of our talent showcase? Contact Rachel McGonigle at (215) 701-2536 or email [email protected].  
 Real Estate Seminar Benefits CORA Services - January 22 & 23, 2016



 
To register call (856) 489.8900 or email [email protected]