Pictured above right is Janet Parker, The Arc Caddo-Bossier Executive Director, Sharon Kavanaugh & Henry Price, Foundation Trustees.  Click here for more pictures from the Foundation Society Esprit de Corps Annual Appreciation Dinner.

Please take a moment and read the following story written by one of the parents at the Goldman School and Child Development Center, a program of The Arc.  This is just one story among hundreds that can be found in the programs offered through the five divisions of The Arc. 

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you and each staff member of the Goldman School.  Every person involved with this wonderful school has been an important part of my daughter Riley’s success and for that our family is eternally grateful.  Riley was born on September 18, 2005.  Shortly after her birth she was diagnosed with Down syndrome.  We had many questions and concerns about how our baby would develop and learn.  She stayed with a sitter until she was nine months old.  When it came time to put her in daycare, I was excited and nervous.  We had been on several waiting lists of daycares in Bossier City where we live, and a few in Shreveport.  I began calling to try and find Riley a spot in one of these facilities.  Each call I made ended the same.  "We’re sorry, but we don’t accept children with disabilities."  I was in tears.  It was the first time I really felt like Riley was different.  She was a “normal” baby to us, she did not require any extra care, but she would not be accepted to any daycare center.  I was so frustrated.  I didn’t know what to do.  My mother had heard about the Goldman School and made the phone call that changed our lives.   Not only did the school have an opening for Riley, but her differences would be celebrated not looked down upon. In June of 2006 Riley started the Goldman School.  She would be in classrooms with well-trained teachers and because of the school’s inclusion model, she would learn from non-disabled peers.  Within two weeks of starting school Riley was holding her own bottle.  During the time that she has been at Goldman, she has progressed by leaps and bounds.  She has learned to walk, feed herself and is “talking” up a storm.  She receives speech therapy at the school and her teachers work with her to surpass each milestone.  She is currently learning colors, numbers and her name.  At Goldman School, Riley does art, music, story time, as well as outside play.  Riley’s progress has been so wonderful, and we have been so pleased.  I cannot say enough good things about our Goldman family.  I feel blessed every day that we have been so fortunate to find such a wonderful place for our little girl.  In fact, all of my friends with “typical” children have put their children on the waiting list to enroll at Goldman.  It is a wonderful beginning in the development of any child.   Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything the Goldman School stands for and everything it has meant to Riley and our family. - Alena LaBorde

 

Giving Levels:

$1,000 – Arc Supporter
$2,000 – Arc Sponsor
$4,000 – Arc Patron
$6,000 – Arc Partner
$10,000 – Arc Champion

All contributions are tax-deductible as allowable by law.  Feel free to call Leann at (318) 425-8978, ext. 268 with any question that you may have.  If you are interested in touring our programs, please call Cheryl Taylor at (318) 221-8392, ext. 225. 

Thanks for your support!