Ken Scibetta, Chairman of the Heart Committee, along with other representatives from Variety - The ChildrenÃs Charity of Buffalo and Western New York, announced a gift of $5500 on July 18 to fund scholarships for Summit Educational Resources' Community Connections Program, a summer treatment program for children and adolescents, ages 5 - 16, with high functioning autism or other disabilities.
The program operates five days per week for five weeks each summer. This year's program has more than 40 participants and continues through July 27 at Amherst High School.
"We greatly appreciate this generous gift from Variety Club of Buffalo," said David Meichenbaum, Ph.D., Summit's Director of Community Consulting and Clinical Services. "Children come to us from throughout Western New York to participate in the program and this gift will reduce the tuition cost for those who need financial aid."
Community Connections targets the development of key social competencies using direct instruction, fun and engaging practice exercises, and recreational activities in a summer camp format. This year's program also incorporates school based skills with special attention given to: following directions, attending to and participating in group-based activities, requesting and accepting assistance, keeping organized and completing homework.
Variety - The Children's Charity of Buffalo & Western New York, Tent 7 - is a Western New York charitable organization focused on helping children from all over Western New York.