Week 14 of #52weeksofgiving - The Birchtree Center - Portsmouth, NH
To kick off Autism Awareness Month, this week we donated to The Birchtree Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for week 14 of #52weeksofgiving. This multifaceted autism agency serves hundreds of children and young people with autism every year.
Birchtree’s team works not only with students, but with their families, schools, caregivers, and other agencies to help those with autism lead fulfilling, productive lives. Theirs is the only program of its kind in New Hampshire.
Learn more about this amazing organization below and find out how you can support them.
About The Birchtree Center
The Birchtree Center has been helping children and young people with autism for 20 years. The school was founded by Barbara Frankel, MSW, PhD, Professor of Family Studies when she couldn’t find appropriate treatment or education for her son Elliott in the Portsmouth area. Soon, she realized that many other families faced the same issue.
Initially opened as The Birchtree Center for Children in 2002, the organization was renamed as The Birchtree Center in 2007 to reflect the expansion of their programs. They now serve children, youth, and families with autism.
Dr. Frankel named Birchtree after the white birch, New Hampshire’s state tree, which is shallow-rooted and grows in clusters to survive. She said that like a birch tree, a child with autism needs to be supported by family and community to grow and flourish.
The Birchtree Center’s mission is helping children and youth with autism grow and flourish in their homes, families, and communities. They work directly with students and their families, caregivers, and educators to help students develop the social, communication, academic, behavioral, and life skills necessary for full and productive adult lives.
The Birchtree Center Programs
The Birchtree Center offers a wide selection of services and programs for young people with autism and related disorders. They also work to educate students’ families and communities.
Special Education Day-School Program
Birchtree offers the first and only educational day program approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education that enrolls exclusively children and youth with autism. It is a seamless, uninterrupted 12-month center-based program available to students in grades pre-K through 12 from New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.
Consultation & Services for Schools & Agencies
Birchtree’s autism experts partner with students, families, schools, and agencies to develop comprehensive, individualized educational and therapeutic programs. They will work with school and agency staff in a variety of ways. Consultation is available year-round for schools, agencies, and homes in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.
Consultation & Services for Families Living with Autism
The autism center also works with children and youth with autism and related disorders as well as families, caregivers, and educators who work with students with autism. Family consulting is also available year-round in homes, schools, and agencies in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.
Additionally, they offer occasional educational autism programs to the public.
How You Can Help
If you’re interested in supporting The Birchtree Center and their wonderful programs, there are a few ways to do so:
Volunteer at their fundraisers and special events, like the United Way Day of Caring
Donate to help Birchtree fund equipment, devices, gas for school vehicles, and other critical student needs. Or check out other donation options.
Shop with their AmazonSmile, purchase items from their Amazon Wish List, or shopping with Giving Assistant.
To learn more about The Birchtree Center, visit their website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook. You can also subscribe to their newsletter to keep up with their latest work and needs!
Do you have an organization you’d like us to know about? Contact us today to nominate them for our #52weeksofgiving challenge! Be sure to let us know what they do and why they’re special to you.
