Richard J. O’Brien Foundation Presents $35,000 to New Interdisciplinary School (NIS)

Yaphank, NY, December 16, 2018 --(PR.com)-- The Richard J. O’Brien Foundation awarded The New Interdisciplinary School (NIS) in Yaphank, NY with a generous $35,000 donation to help launch a peer-modeling, integrated social-skills program and a scholarship fund to benefit its preschoolers. The social-skills program will enable students with different abilities to learn with and from one another in an inclusive, familiar setting that fosters acceptance and personal growth. The focus is for students with special needs to build social skills through peer interaction.

“NIS has been implementing as many integrated activities throughout the school day as we can, as we’ve found this model to benefit all of our students. All of the parents are so grateful for these opportunities and give them great accolades, so we are very fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to implement this new social-skills program. We will also be able to replenish our scholarship fund to help reduce the effects of financial hardship or student disability on full family access to quality child care. With the support of the Richard J. O’Brien Foundation, we can now commit to supporting families until public funding or self-sufficiency has been achieved for our families,” said Susan Cali, NIS Director of Development.

The Richard J. O’Brien Foundation is dedicated to honoring the memory of its namesake, who was very active in many non-profit children’s organizations across Long Island. Started by O’Brien’s family and friends, the Foundation, an all-volunteer association, supports charities focusing on children in need of special care and bereavement counseling. It also aids organizations dealing with children’s health issues.