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February 15, 2013

Nonprofit Spotlight - February

Each month we are going to take a moment to highlight non-profits of interest in the Lakeland and the Polk County community. While EMERGE might not be participating in every event or not profit we post, our hope is for those interested to find new and fun ways to connect and give back. Count on us to keep you connected.

Creating Brighter Futures for Children with Special Needs

More than fifty years ago, the Achievement Academy (formerly UCP and later Child Development Center of Polk County, Inc.) was founded by a special group of parents. Today the Achievement Academy is a non-profit United Way agency and charter school. We serve children from birth through age six with various developmental delays and disabilities, including but not limited to, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and speech delays. The Achievement Academy offers small class sizes, dedicated staff, developmentally appropriate goals, individual speech, occupational and physical therapies and assistive technologies that allow our students to blossom.

We have three charter school locations that serve Polk County: Lakeland, Winter Haven and Bartow. Here we celebrate all abilities; there are none too big or small! Every child is entitled to a childhood of possibilities and we are here to make that happen.

Testimony

Joshua... Somewhere between 12 –14 months old, something changed and the baby that would gaze into your eyes, smile and laugh, slipped away. He would soon be diagnosed with severe speech apraxia (difficulty transmitting the speech message from his brain to his mouth) full body apraxia, developmental delays and mild autistic tendencies.

At Achievement Academy, extraordinary teachers helped ensure that he would reach his goals. Joshua received one-on-one, specialized therapies and most importantly he was given love each day. Our son would not be where he is today if it were not for the school. Recently, Achievement Academy along with the Kiwanis Club gave Joshua the most precious gift… his own Augmentative Communication device. This truly has given him “a voice in life”. By Joshua's mom, Tracey

How can EMERGE members get involved?

7th Annual Pigeon Pull and Evening Round Up
February 23, 2013
S (bar) S Ranch, 4098 J.A. Fenton Rd Lakeland
Registration starts at 2:00pm
For more information click here.

Posted by emerge at February 15, 2013 02:51 PM

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