PCDI GAZETTE, October 2016, Issue #1
October 2016, Issue #1
Welcome to our new e-Newspaper!  The purpose of the PCDI Gazette is to keep friends, family and supporters in-the-know about PCDI news in a format that is quick and easy to absorb.
The New School Year Is Underway!
Our new school year officially began on September 6th! PCDI welcomed an awesome new student, Simon, in Module C.  We also have seven new faculty and staff members. Stay tuned for articles introducing new staff in upcoming editions.
CitySeek Fundraiser a Success
This year, we embarked on a brand-new fundraising effort, CitySeek 2016, spearheaded by Mike Fry, husband of PCDI principal Christine Fry.  The event took place on Saturday, October 1st throughout Old City, Philadelphia.  Adventurous teams competed for fabulous prizes by completing scavenger hunt tasks involving local restaurants, taverns, historical sites and more. 

The fundraising goal for this event was $10,000.   We made over $25,000!  A warm thank you to all of the individual donors and corporate sponsors who helped us make this event successful.  We will soon be updating our website to acknowledge these wonderful people properly!  

CitySeek Event Page
"A Case for Anyone" Helps Children in Need
On September 20th, Christine’s Hope for Kids donated $1,000 to Princeton Child Development Institute (PCDI) toward their sewing project (“A Case for Anyone”) which makes pillowcases for children in need in the Mercer County area.  Due to this grant, fifteen adults with autism are embarking on a project to sew 500 pillowcases for children in shelters, hospitals and more.     

“It’s a fabulous partnership,” Jean Gianacaci, Founder of Christine’s Hope for Kids, enthused. “These are not just pillowcases; these young men and women at PCDI take such pride in their work. The detail and professionalism that goes into each pillowcase! We were struck by it. Each child who receives a pillowcase gets something special to lay their head on at night, something that's just theirs. Together, we're all working for the end result. The men and women at PCDI help us, and we pass that on to help kids in need. It comes full circle."   

PCDI Executive Director Patrick R. Progar notes, “It’s an honor to partner with Christine’s Hope for Kids.  We’re aware of the excellent work they do, and their support of our program will allow us to purchase much-needed supplies and equipment for our sewing project, allowing more of our adults to participate and give back to the community.”  Together, PCDI and Christine’s Hope for Kids intend to make a positive impact on children in need in this area. 
Super Bowl Raffle Winner
Kyla Zambrio of Allentown, NJ,  won our Super Bowl raffle and will receive a prize package worth over $5,000—including two tickets to the big game, airfare and hotel.  Thank you to all who entered.  (Better luck next year!)  Your money will, of course, go toward making PCDI a great and productive place for our learners.

Congrats, Kyla!  

Link to the Raffle Drawing Video
Module D Digs into Gardening
Students in Module D (Michael C., Michael W., Colin, Bahad and Julian as well as Nic and Jack) started a garden last spring, which continues to thrive!  The photo above shows just a taste of their beautiful spring harvest.  This fall, they expect their arugula, leeks and broccoli plants to be used in many salads and frittatas.  Module D Trainer Nicole Tartaro notes, “Gardening adds variety to their schedule, gets them outdoors, and teaches them leisure and vocational skills.  They love it!  It’s fun—they like getting dirty and digging in the soil.” 

So how did this start?  Greg MacDuff, PCDI Executive Director of Adult and Community Living Programs, is an avid gardener who encouraged and supported the “budding” PCDI garden.  Other invaluable help came from Mazur Nursery & Garden Center (Lawrenceville, NJ), High Mowing Organic Seeds (Wolcott, VT), Home Depot (West Windsor, NJ), Rosedale Mills (Pennington, NJ), and parents Marianne Lynn and Doug Braun; these gardening angels helped students and staff choose plants, seeds, gardening equipment and cover crop.  Thank you!

The program has been so successful that Colin now enthusiastically volunteers at a local nursery.  Everyone here at PCDI is looking forward to tasting more from the garden.  Way to go, Module D!
PCDI STAFF TELL ALL!
Brigid, Module A
Would you like to time travel?  
"Yes, back in time to chat to my grandparents."
Christa, Module A 
Avocados or pumpkins?
"Avocados are sensitive ... depends upon usage."
Ashley, Module A
Do you believe there's life on other planets?
"Nope!"
Dana, Module A
Is PCDI awesome or the awesomest?  
"The awesomest!"
Princeton Child Development Institute | 300 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
 (609) 924-6280 | www.pcdi.org