Investing in the Future

For over five years, members of the Seacoast chapter of Altrusa International have volunteered at The Birchtree Center. They have arrived at our school with craft supplies, creative ideas, and warm smiles, ready to help our students make holiday gifts for their families. They have assisted with school-wide projects and celebrations and have given generously of their time, talents, and resources to help our students with autism.

Altrusa members present their donation to Birchtree's students and staff

This June, the club made a $1,000 donation to The Birchtree Center in support of our programs to help older students with autism prepare for life beyond Birchtree. The donation will help underwrite practical, hands-on lessons in job skills, life skills, and more. Students are learning vocational skills by running our school library, a student store, and a micro-business crafting badges, magnets and note cards for sale. They are learning to give back to the community by maintaining garden beds at the Portsmouth Public Library and are practicing cooking, cleaning, laundry, and self-care skills using appliances and equipment at Birchtree.

Dakota takes a break from gardening at the Portsmouth Public Library

“After working with these students for many years and watching them grow, we’re excited to be involved with the students’ transition to the next phase of their lives,” said chapter president Sandy LaBonte. To read more about the Altrusa members' experiences at Birchtree, click here.

Alex is learning to use the oven in Birchtree's Life Skills kitchen.

“We’re honored that these busy professionals from Altrusa give so generously of their time and resources,” said Acting Executive Director Dr. Sandra Pierce-Jordan. “It makes such a difference when students with autism have the support of the community.”

Lauren gardens alongside instructor Emily

A Proud Day for Birchtree's Students

Every day, Zach’s instructors write a note to his parents to let them know about the progress their son is making at The Birchtree Center. Birchtree’s autism specialists measure Zach’s learning every hour of every school day, and regularly report back to his family and local school district about his progress reaching his educational and behavioral goals.

But, for Zach’s mom Annette, nothing compares to being at her son’s school, seeing her son use the skills he’s learning at Birchtree. Annette's family traveled over forty-five miles to participate in Birchtree's annual Family Open House this May.  “It was wonderful to see our son taking turns with the other children in the gym,” Annette said. She was delighted to see her son following verbal directions from his instructors as they played parachute games. “Zach seemed so proud to have us meet his instructors, see his artwork, and visit his classroom,” she said.

The Birchtree Center’s Family Open House this May allowed many parents like Annette to witness their students’ progress.  Thirty-six parents, siblings, and family members from Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire joined their students for an afternoon of learning and fun at Birchtree. They performed songs, played games in the gym, admired students’ artwork, planted seedlings for a community garden, and watched a video of recent school activities.

 

At a time of year when many students are looking forward to summer vacation, Birchtree’s students have a busy season of learning ahead of them. “Our school operates year round because students with autism are more likely to make progress when they receive consistent, seamless instruction,” explains Acting Executive Director Dr. Sandra Pierce-Jordan. Birchtree’s students will have only two week-long vacations this summer. For the rest of the season, they’ll be working with their instructors at school, at home, and in the community to learn the skills they need for full and productive lives.

This intensive, year-round instruction makes a big difference to Birchtree’s students and their families. “After a week of school vacation, our son is ready to get back into his Birchtree routine,” said Bob, father of thirteen-year-old Steven. “He just loves it here."