This dispatch was added by one of our Nonprofit Neighbors. It does not represent the editorial voice of The Rapidian or Community Media Center.
Established in 1982, Comprehensive Therapy Center’s mission is to meet the therapeutic and educational needs of adults and children with disabilities who are at-risk or disadvantaged, through skill building, academic enhancement and social emotional support.
We help adults keep or increase their independence.
We help children to walk, talk, learn and play.
Check out our Website: www.therapycenter.org
In 2005, Read to Me Tea was launched as a celebration of our clients who are not always recognized in their schools for their unique talents and abilities. Art is important to many aspects of development and is a way that all children can participate. Throughout the first part of the year, our clients create artwork. We take that art and make them greeting cards that they can share with their friends and family! The artwork is then displayed gallery style during the event! We also use some of the artwork to decorate the lobby in our Clinic! Artists are able to show off their art with their families and other attendees at the Read to Me Tea Celebration. The joy and pride that beamed on the children's faces as they show off their hard work, gives these children the ability to share something positive with their families.
Read to Me Tea is more than an Art Show, it's is an important advocacy event! Caregivers, legislators, and local leaders can all come together in a relaxed environment and have a space and have conversations. Children are able to see governmental officials in person at their level, instead of on-line or on TV. A simple art show could encourage some to take the path of community or governmental involvement . Or at the very least, show children that they matter in our electoral processes, and foster a generation of voters.
We started our 17th annual Read to Me Tea with opening remarks from CTC Development Director, Nicholette Driggs and Executive Director, Summer Wright. Followed by a long time friend of CTC, Grand Rapids Mayor, Rosalynn Bliss.
This year's event readers included Representative Peter Meijer, Representative Tommy Brann, Representative Rachel Hood, Senator Stabenow's Regional Manager Mary Judnic, Senator Gary Peters' West Michigan Regional Coordinator Julian Sanders, Grand Valley State University Professor Griffin, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager for Warner Norcross + Judd, Mandice McAllister. Each artist was able to get their picture taken with, have their award certificate signed by, and read a story with all of the attendees!
Thank you to these generous sponsorships who helped make this event happen:
... and to the amazing:
Steenstra's Royal Dutch Bakery for providing us with adorable jungle animal cookies! Rooftop Proven Products for providing beautiful potted plants for participants to take home. Sweet House Foundation for providing us a beautiful space for the event and WAM for printing all of our artist’s cards!
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