Building Important Skills

Posted September 20, 2024

PVF’s Special Education Resource Grants Program has brought numerous resources to teachers in Alameda and Contra Costa County over the past 20 years, maximizing the skills of their students by providing fundamental needs.

This program remains in high demand by the educators working with special education students, and the reports we receive back every year are heartfelt and inspiring. These $500 grants fund a variety of needs, such as sensory regulation tools, curriculum material, developmentally appropriate toys, and professional development. This past year we saw many requests for sensory support materials to allow students to regulate themselves in order to focus on learning. Below are some excerpts on the impact of such grants:

Your support in funding our special education program’s initiative to purchase sensory materials is truly invaluable and will significantly enhance the learning experience of our students. The impact of your grant extends far beyond the acquisition of materials. It provides our students with the tools they need to thrive in their educational journey. These sensory materials will not only cater to the diverse needs of our students but also create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. With your assistance, we can continue to foster an environment where every student feels valued, empowered, and capable of reaching their full potential. – Terri Huston, Autism Educational Specialist at Silverwood Elementary

I am very happy to report that with the grant that was given to me, I was able to purchase online points for the Boom Card learning platform. With these points, I was able to purchase numerous Boom card materials that work on goals that my students are working on, including language, articulation and social skills. Furthermore, I was able to purchase a year’s subscription to Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr., which is another educational website and learning that we use in speech class for language comprehension. I am extremely grateful for the support that Philanthropic Ventures Foundation has provided to educators such as myself. On behalf of my students, we extend our heartfelt thanks. – Cheryl Gonzales, Speech-Language Pathologist at Joaquin Miller School

We’ve been able to get many developmentally appropriate toys and materials through the Philanthropic Ventures grants. I have applied each year to the grant and have been able to purchase many quality items for my moderate/severe intensive support needs classroom. I wanted to say thank you to all of the donors. A little bit goes a long way! Teachers do not always get the funding to purchase items through our district. This helps greatly as it alleviates out of pocket expenses and helps to provide quality materials for a quality program. – Todd Szyslowski, Special Education Teacher at Delaine Eastin Elementary

Thanks to your grant, our class was able to purchase some amazing educational materials that have greatly enhanced our students’ learning experience. I wanted to share with you some of the materials we were able to acquire and the positive impact they have had on our students:

The Giant Sight and Sound Tubes have been a huge hit with our students. They love playing with these materials, as they provide a multisensory experience. The students enjoy listening to the sounds and observing the materials as they manipulate the tubes. Not only do these tubes help them calm down, but they also provide a fun and engaging way for them to explore their senses.
The Wooble Cushions have been a game-changer for our autistic students. These cushions have helped them stay seated and focused during various activities. We were able to purchase four of these cushions, allowing multiple students to use them simultaneously. The cushions provide the necessary sensory input and support, enabling our students to actively participate in classroom activities with increased comfort and concentration.
The Light Table Sensory Play materials have been a big hit among our students. These materials have not only captivated their attention but have also facilitated their learning in various ways. Through the use of these materials, our students have learned to focus, practice parallel play, and share with their peers.

We cannot emphasize enough how much of a positive impact these materials have had on our students’ learning and development. Your contribution has made a significant difference in the lives of our students, and we are incredibly grateful. – Annabel Sollestre, Extensive Support Needs Teacher at Shannon Elementary School

Feedback like this inspires us. While small in size, the Special Education Grants create a lasting impact for countless students who are building important skills using these new resources.