Past projects 6
Pride Alliance Visibility
Funded Mar 26, 2022We could not be more grateful for your generosity! We have used the button and sticker makers for special occasions such as Day of silence, Pride Month etc. and just for fun at our club meetings. We will need to be ordering refills for our next project "Coming Out Day" Their goal was to increase visibility this school year and we are off to a strong start! We are planning on partnering with other clubs such as BSU (Black Student Union) to increase our visibility and message of inclusion.
Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts ”
With gratitude,
Dr. Landini
Meeting Mental Health Needs Amid a Pandemic!
Funded Dec 2, 2020I can't thank you enough for your donations to purchase mental health booklets that were used and mailed to many students over the pandemic. We offered a plethora of online groups and mental health open office hours with Powerpoints, activities, and mailings/drop-offs.
For example, we used the "About Grief" Channing & Bete booklet to open our first virtual grief group as an overall introduction to grief group. We literally had our last group meeting yesterday (6/8/21) on the school front lawn. It really was one of those moments because this was the first time I was meeting these students in person! We had pizza talked about the group and summer plans, while we made "celebrate me" candles. This is also where they got another packet that was for their parent/caregiver that included another booklet for parents, "How to Help your Child Grieve," with additional resources and certificates of completion.
Not everybody can say they love their jobs, but I do. With your kind and generous hearts I can do my job well. Thank you so much, and may the blessings you share return to you ten times more ”
With gratitude,
Dr. Landini
This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and 6 other donors.Nothing Better Than Naruto!
Funded Jun 17, 2020We are five months into COVID19 with schools continuing virtual learning this coming fall, ugh : ( Thanks to you I was able to secure the full series of Naruto books for my student who has enjoyed them ever since. He was so surprised to see me, and even more exited to get the books! Actually, he's almost done reading them ALL!!
Students in general are struggling during these times of stress and uncertainty, but students with disabilities struggle even more with weary families and often limited resources. Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness especially during these trying times when we as helping professionals need it most.
Bless your generous souls - be well and be safe,”
With gratitude,
Dr. Landini
"Born This Way" Talent Show by Our Pride Alliance Club
Funded Mar 6, 2020We were well on our way to our always fabulous annual Pride Alliance sponsored Born this Way talent show. The date was set, auditions were held, students designing the program, Donors Choose project filled, trophies ordered, and 15 different performers practicing for the big day! Performances included including poetry, dance, and singing. Sadly, the plans, practicing, and preparations came to a sudden halt with the closure of all Chicago schools and stay at home city ordinance. Hopes of returning back to school were dwindling as the closure of schools was eventually extended to the end of this school year. In the interim school counselors and related service personnel like myself shifted into crisis mode. We started calling our community families conducting well-being check-in's and scrambling to secure access to resources for food, healthcare, rent relief, and gift cards. Needless to say the Talent Show was cancelled, as our unopened box of trophies awaits our return, as students Elearn, virtually socialize, and acclimate to a new norm, for now. Many might wonder will it ever be the same again? Rest assure one thing students can look forward to next year is our always fabulous annual Pride Alliance sponsored Born this Way talent show. And with trophies (no inscribed dates - thank goodness!) that you so kindly funded. Thank you so much.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Landini
A Safe Place
Funded Apr 24, 2018This entire project started as a dream, and an "it doesn't hurt to ask attitude," to transform a space into a physically and mentally comfortable place where students can check-in with an adult, answer a quick triage questionnaire (their current mental health status and social emotional needs), and utilize the safe space to practice learned social/emotional skills and work toward getting back to class with a better mind set.
Students can now, with your generous donations, use materials and resources (such as stress balls, journals, mantras, fidgets, list of community agencies, list of teen AA/NA meetings etc.) to further understand, learn, develop and practice healthy social emotional skills. Furthermore, those students who need more have an opportunity to be connected to a counselor, and/or mental health professional.
Thus far, students have expressed gratitude, excitement, and have been inspired with new ideas to continue to develop this space into a full blown place of social and emotional growth! Some of their quotes include ""Really? people really just gave money for us, just to help?......this looks so much better!....this is dope [that means good]....."
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to yours. This has truly been an evolving process in making a space for students to practice healthy coping and de-stressing strategies, so they can go back to class ready to learn, that could not have happened without your support : )”
With gratitude,
Dr. Landini
Inspirational Quotes
Funded Jun 5, 2018This entire project started as a dream, and an "it doesn't hurt to ask attitude," to transform a space into a physically and mentally comfortable place where students can check-in with an adult, answer a quick triage questionnaire (their current mental health status and social emotional needs), and utilize the safe space to practice learned social/emotional skills and work toward getting back to class with a better mind set.
Students can now, with your generous donations, use materials and resources (such as stress balls, journals, mantras, fidgets, list of community agencies, list of teen AA/NA meetings etc.) to further understand, learn, develop and practice healthy social emotional skills. Furthermore, those students who need more have an opportunity to be connected to a counselor, and/or mental health professional.
Thus far, students have expressed gratitude, excitement, and have been inspired with new ideas to continue to develop this space into a full blown place of social and emotional growth! Some of their quotes include ""Really? people really just gave money for us, just to help?......this looks so much better!....this is dope [that means good]....."
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to yours. This has truly been an evolving process in making a space for students to practice healthy coping and de-stressing strategies, so they can go back to class ready to learn, that could not have happened without your support : )”
With gratitude,
Dr. Landini