Comprehensive Therapy Center is celebrating 30 years of service to children with special needs in West Michigan. We help children walk, talk, learn and play – so they can read and write.  Check us out at www.therapycenter.org
Send letter of interest and resume for immediate consideration to Jean Silbar, info@therapycenter.org

Now that you’ve made a dent in your Christmas shopping during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s time to give the gift of therapy to children with disabilities on Giving Tuesday!

Though we really need and appreciate monetary donations, we have a Christmas list, too. If you’re in the mood to donate to a good cause, we could use several items each on our list below. Just have them shipped to us at:

Comprehensive Therapy Center
2505 Ardmore SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

All donations are tax deductible, and will be put to very good use!

Margo at Therapy & Fun in 2010

CTC volunteer Margo Martin, 20, is a finalist for Young Nonprofit Professionals Network’s Edison Award. The Edison Award is awarded to an innovative and enthusiastic enrolled college student who has shown dedication to the nonprofit sector, a description which fits Martin to a T. Fellow volunteer Megan, who nominated her for the award, says, “I thought it was time someone other than her friends at CTC recognized her for her hard work.” The award ceremony takes place November 8th at the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids.

Volunteering during our summer pediatric therapy program, Therapy and Fun, since her middle school days, Margo dedicated her time and effort to helping the children with disabilities walk, talk, learn, and play. A volunteer from 2003 to 2009 (when she was hired on as the volunteer coordinator), she worked 139 days – which translates to 486.5 hours at an average of 3.5 hours per day! This has earned her several President’s Volunteer Service Awards.

Reflecting upon Margo’s service, CTC Assistant Director Terese Smith said “Margo is a high energy, take-charge kind of person who can capably handle any task. It is always a pleasure to work with her.” Others, such as fellow volunteer Matt Norris, thought that volunteering at Therapy and Fun was made more enjoyable by Margo’s enthusiasm and professionalism.

Margo at Therapy & Fun 2004

Upon her graduation from high school, Martin set off to continue her education at Washington University in St. Louis. Despite this relocation, Martin continues to assist CTC in what free time the busy college student can muster. “Margo is one of the most positive persons I’ve ever known!” said Linda Weaver, a tutor for children with learning differences and brain injury at CTC. “She is always willing to help with anything!” Margo is working towards bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and psychology with a minor in biology. Moved by her volunteer experiences with children with disabilities, her aim is to become either a physical therapist or a pediatric neurologist.

According to YNPN, the Edison Award honoree exemplifies what it takes to be an up-and-coming Young Nonprofit Professional. This can be through volunteer work, an internship, or simply being an incredible advocate for their organization and the sector. Stacy Blackwell of Grand Valley State University, Callista Cook of YWCA West Central Michigan/Safe Haven Ministries and Nicholas Popma of Save India’s Youth have also been nominated for the Edison Award.

Having watched Margo grow through her years of service, the staff of Comprehensive Therapy Center has high hopes for her. “Margo has been an incredible asset to the agency, and we’re excited to see her being recognized for her outstanding dedication,” Executive Director Jean Silbar said. “We really hope she wins the award. She’s earned it.”

All proceeds from this party will help children with disabilities walk, talk, learn and play.

Please join us in Partying with a Purpose, Silpada style! The holidays are closing in fast, and with over 400 pieces of jewelry in the catalog, we have something for everyone’s style and budget.  Join us November 13th and you’ll not only find something for everyone on your list – you’ll also be giving the gift of therapy to children in need.

We will have a raffle at the party. Who will get the free jewelry? Here’s how you can increase your chances of winning:

• Add your name by wearing Silpada jewelry to the party;
• Add your name by bringing a friend(s) to the party;
• Add your name if you spend $50 or more at the party.

RSVP by e-mailing or calling Terese Smith at (616) 559-1054, or through our Facebook Event.  Wine and refreshments will be provided.

Can’t make it work in your schedule? Visit my website: www.mysilpada.com/sarah.roy.

• Work with pre-school and elementary age children
• Team Approach
• Competitive Wages

Comprehensive Therapy Center’s mission is to provide therapeutic and advisory programs to children through skill building, academic enhancement and social emotional support.  We help people walk, talk, learn and play – so they can read and write. Learn more by exploring this website.  To apply, please send cover letter and resume to tsmith@therapycenter.org.

Learn the sensory approach to parenting your child with special needs.  Gain understanding and methods to help improve life at home and school. Discover how to use a sensory approach to help calm or activate your child’s behaviors.

Bring your questions to each session for our occupational therapist.

October 2           Making Sense – of self, others, environment
October 9           Uncommon Sense – learning and behavior are affected
October 16         The Listening Ear – how to tune in . . .
October 23         Play Sense – the power of creative intervention
October 30         Sensational Love – the climate for healing

We meet Tuesdays in October from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at
Comprehensive Therapy Center, 2505 Ardmore SE, Grand Rapids, 49506.

Cost is $15 per person per session: Cash, Check, VISA, MC, Discover.

Call 616-559-1054 to reserve your space.  Class maximum is 15 people.

As the face of our therapy practice, you will sit in the front office greeting clients and answering phone calls. Support agency staff with your excellent computer skills in a Mac environment using MS Office, databases, and online apps. Lead the enrollment process for our summer clinic by acquiring information from clients, scheduling appointments and tracking data. As our billing specialist you will bill therapy services to health insurance, working directly with clients and insurance companies. This position is part time at 25-30 hours per week.

Qualifications: Bachelors or equivalent work experience preferred. Medical office and billing preferred. Must be able to communicate with all levels, track details and enjoy multi-tasking.

To learn more about us, please visit us on the web at http://therapycenter.org.

Send cover letter and resume to Jean Silbar, jsilbar@therapycenter.org by September 10, 2012.

Spencer A., The Mathematician: for learning his numbers

Daniel B., The Picture Master: for learning to communicate with pictures.

Evyn D., The Awesome Author: for learning to tell stories.

Lazarus D., Parrot Talk: for talking so much!

Jeremiah D., The Interviewer: for learning to ask questions.

Avery G., She’s Super: for learning her “s” sounds!

Jaylen G., The Teacher Award: for helping during therapy sessions

Parker K., The Super Decider: for learning to make choices

Willem K., The Social Butterfly: for learning to

Rico K., Lace Me Up!:  for working on tying his shoes

Jeremiah L., The MVP: For the most all around improvement.

Emma M., The Star Describer: For learning to describe everything!

Tyce M., Sign On/Sign Off: For learning to sign with two signs at a time!

Grace M., The Buttoneer: for learning to do her buttons.

Cameron O., Making a List and Checking it Twice: for using his visual schedule.

Darion P., The Great Advocator: For telling us what he needs.

Leonardo R., Question King!: for learning to answer “wh” questions.

Tristan T., Captain Conversation!: for learning to carry conversation without stopping! AND The Graduation Award!: for graduating camp!

Jacob T., Mr. Inquisitive: for learning to ask “wh” questions.

Elizabeth V., Martha Stewart Award:  for her excellent organizational skills

Phineas W., Sir-Talks-A-lot: for learning to use two word sentences.

Brody W., Can’t be Bead’in!: For working on stringing his beads.

Luke W., Gaze into my Eyes: for learning to make eye contact.

Dane S., Clip Hanger: For working on his pincher grasp.

Thanks for all your hard work, friends!  Have an awesome school year.

The second week of Therapy and Fun is kicking off tomorrow, so I thought I’d take a moment to update you on how it’s going.

In a word, it’s been fantastic.

This year we’ve been lucky not only to have a wonderful group of staff doing amazing work, but our senior volunteers have been key in helping the program run smoothly.

“This year has been unbelievable.  I’ve gotten a lot of comments from returning staff about how smoothly things are going,”  our Program Director Jan Wilks said today when I asked her how she felt about our 30th summer.  ”We have great volunteers, and we’re off to a great a start because the senior volunteers are doing a fantastic job mentoring new volunteers.  I’m just so pleased with how things are going.  Everyone just seems so positive.  It’s a good thing!”

If you’d like to pop over for a visit to see for yourself how things are going, please let Terese know either via e-mail or by calling the office at (616) 559-1054.

We also have a great Lunch and Learn program coming up in July. Stay tuned for more details!