2017 is going to be a great year for a number of reasons. First, we have a new addition to our staff: SKC's new
Director of Development,
Stella Lauerman. Stella comes to us from Easterseals, where she was the Director of Grants & Community Network. But, Stella's heart has long been with Special Kids Crusade. In fact, Stella was involved with SKC from its inception. She was a member of Monterey County SELPA's Community Advisory Committee (CAC) when Sabrina Manno and Susan Oros came to a meeting in 2007 to make a presentation about an as-yet-unnamed organization that would serve children with special needs and their families. She has long been a friend and supporter of Special Kids Crusade so we are beyond thrilled to welcome her to our organization in an official capacity. You will hear more about -- and from -- Stella as the year unfolds.
Special Kids Crusade is also launching a new program in 2017: our STAR TEACHER award! We want to recognize individuals in our community who are positive role models with young people who have special needs. Award recipients can, of course, be special education teachers, but they can also be general education instructors, paraprofessionals, community leaders, coaches, group leaders and those in positions of authority who "teach," by example, what it means to be inclusive, supportive and welcoming to children of all abilities in our community. We need your help in selecting our monthly award winner! If you know of a deserving individual, please nominate them by completing a STAR TEACHER application and sending it our way.
Finally, Special Kids Crusade celebrates 10 years of helping special kids reach for the stars in Monterey County in 2017. You'll, no doubt, hear more about that through the coming months, as well!
