Space Coast Early Intervention Center

Twenty years ago, a mother needed to return to work but could not fund a childcare center to care for her child with Down syndrome. She started her own and today, SCEIC cares for 82 students, ranging from 13 months to 6 years. One-half of the students are typical children who serve as role models for the remaining developing or physically challenged students.

The mission at SCEIC is to be the community’s premier nonprofit center for the support, care and maximum development of young children challenged by disabilities and their typically developing peers, serving also as a leading demonstration site and training center for future educators, nurses and parents.

SCEIC, a Gold Seal accredited program, incorporates state-wide and nationally approved educational, behavioral, social and therapeutic approaches addressing the diverse needs of young children. They experience successes regularly; listening to a child’s first words, watching first steps or initiating play. Parents are involved from the beginning; learning new techniques from speech, physical, occupational, hearing and sight therapists. Their low child to adult ratio ranges from 1 adult to 2 or 4 children throughout the day. All this is in preparation for their transition into public school and eventually on independent life in college or vacation.

Though they charge tuition similar to other childcare centers, their expenses are higher because of the quality care and additional supports. Tuition covers 1/3 of the costs per child. They off-set set their expenses with fundraisers, donations and grants. Families from all economic levels attend SCEIC with financial support from the board of director’s and local scholarships.

Their ongoing public awareness campaign educates the community on the importance of early intervention and the positive long term outcomes children and their family’s experience when addressed early on. Daily tours are given for community leaders, the public and families who are interested in the group, supporting the group or adding their child to the waiting list. They are active legislatively, addressing funding issues and have developed strong collaborative partnerships with our local school system, university internship and research programs, federally funded Early Steps and Head Start programs, the medical community and local government.

The need for quality programs is great. In 2005 we started a capital campaign to raise 3 million dollars to build a new 15,000 sq. ft. center. The dream will soon become a reality in December 2007. The support of the community has been phenomenal with donated supplies, manpower and money. The new center will afford them the needed room to expand our services.

Their enlarged boundless playground free to the public on the weekends, will include sensory gardens, an aviary, water play and courses to challenge physical, occupational and behavioral needs.

Dreams can come true when community leadership, business involvement and visionary thinkers synergize to make them reality. SCEIC is the result of people who care. All are welcome to come and visit the new facility in February 2008.

Kaitlyn Chana

Kaitlyn Chana is the Founder and President of Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness, Inc. which is a non-profit national organization whose mission is to create positive and inspirational homemade cards for children with life-threatening illnesses. Each card is unique because it is created by hand using stamps, stickers, scrapbook paper and art supplies. Inside each card a positive uplifting inspirational message such as “Sending You A Great Big Hug,” “You Shine Like a Star” or “Believe In Yourself” is written to give children faith, courage and the will to survive. Bringing smiles to children’s faces is her mission. Once the cards are created, Kaitlyn hand delivers some of the cards to children with life-threatening illnesses in hospitals and organizations such as Give Kids the World. Other cards are sent with love through the mail to children with life-threatening illnesses to lift their spirits. Kaitlyn’s motto is: Sick children need more than medicine; they need love and support from their families, friends and Love Letters “Pen Pals.” To date, Kaitlyn’s organization has impacted over 9,000 children and their families by creating homemade cards.

Given the opportunity to make a difference in her community in January 2005 through an eighth grade assignment called “Promote the Common Welfare”, Kaitlyn knew she wanted to touch the lives of children throughout the United States, so she contacted Linda Bremner, the Founder of Love Letters, Inc. After several phone conversations and boxes of cards and gifts sent to Linda, she encouraged Kaitlyn to start a Love Letters chapter. Linda told Kaitlyn, “It only takes one person to move a mountain and then others will follow.” Kaitlyn didn’t know exactly what Linda meant at the time, but she wrote Linda’s beautiful quote in her book. Later, when she received an e-mail from Linda’s friend saying Linda passed away and at her request the national organization, Love Letters Inc., was closed, Kaitlyn’s hands gravitated to Linda’s quote and then she realized what the quote meant. Kaitlyn wanted to move the mountain to help children going through the difficult times of treatments and surgeries. She took the initiative to carry on Linda’s legacy by encouraging others to create positive and inspirational homemade cards for children with life-threatening illnesses through Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness, Inc. Kaitlyn encourages other teens to start chapters in their hometowns. Currently, she is helping 35 individuals in 19 states to implement Love Letters chapters in their schools and hometowns.

Since creating her first card, Kaitlyn has spent 869 hours creating cards, hosting card making parties, helping others implement Love Letters chapters, and her favorite activity, visiting children with life-threatening illnesses to help brighten their day. Kaitlyn doesn’t receive a stipend or salary for her volunteer work; her love of helping children comes from the heart. Kaitlyn has been very fortunate to receive donations to help purchase card making supplies, note cards, envelopes and stamps.

Harris Corporation

When it comes to impacting lives, certain words hold strong emotions, meanings and can change our way of looking at life, people and causes. Harris Corporation of Melbourne, FL has made the words “affect” and “effect” words of great importance to the Space Coast Early Intervention Center and to the United States.

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government, defense and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. They are focused on the practical application of leading-edge technologies. A few of Harris’ products include video infrastructure and digital media equipment, satellite antennas, secure tactical radios and networking systems, wireless equipment, avionics and information technology and technical services. Harris is the largest private-sector employer in Brevard County, FL.

Harris Corporation was founded in 1895 as the Harris Automatic Press Company. The next 60 years they grew into broadcasting and typesetting. In 1967, they merged with Radiation, Inc. of Melbourne, FL., a developer of antenna, integrated circuit, and modem technology used in the space race. The printing operations were sold off in 1983 and are now known as Lanier Worldwide. More recently, it provides hardware necessary for radio stations to broadcast high definition. Harris RF Communications Division provides secured wireless communications to America’s military and law-enforcement officials.

Howard Lance, the current chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Harris Corporation, and his staff have the awesome responsibility of effecting thousands of lives of his employees and the community along with global decisions affecting the space industry, third world countries and on the home front, the safety of our soldiers and homeland security.

Though, little known to the great world outside of Melbourne, FL; Harris’ affects and effects have caused great change in a little known school called the Space Coast Early Intervention Center (SCEIC). SCEIC’s mission is to be the community’s premier nonprofit center for the support, care and maximum development of young children challenged by disabilities and their typically developing peers, serving also as a leading demonstration site and training center for future educators, nurses and parents.

Harris Corporation sand its employees have donated their time, manpower and money to support the beginnings of lives at SCEIC, who will one day become our working population influencing the next generation of space travelers, world leaders, doctors, legislators and especially moms and dads.

As an avid supporter of SCEIC for many years, Harris recently challenged Melbourne businesses and community to raise $100,000 and they would match it. They shared their vision of a 15,000 sq. ft. developmental center for the children and spurred the start of a capital campaign that raised over 1.5 million dollars towards a goal of $3 million. Without leaders like Harris affecting people to be involved, challenging diverse groups to help raise community awareness of SCEICs needs, the effect of a new school for children would have only been a dream but is now a reality.

Jack Heiberger

The mission of the Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP) is to provide opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities to acquire skills which enable them to participate in leisure experiences of their choice and enhance their abilities to function within a community setting. The program often relies on volunteers so that more people can be served and have the opportunity to succeed in the community. Jack has been most instrumental in assisting with the program’s mission by volunteering for aquatics classes and outdoor adventure trips.

Jack has been a volunteer with the TRP since 1997. He approached us to see if he could volunteer during the daytime hours—a much needed time block for volunteers! Jack elected to assist with two separate aquatics classes that the TRP implements on a consistent basis August-May each year: the Aqua-Rehab class which is designed for adults with physical disabilities, and the Aqua-Fitness class which is designed for adults with developmental disabilities. He volunteers two day per week for a total of approximately 20 hours/month. The Aqua-Rehab class utilizes multiple volunteers to ensure the participants actively participate as independently as possible. For this class, he specifically assists a gentleman who sustained a stroke several years ago and has difficulty using his left side for walking and moving in general. Jack assists the participant with completing he general exercises as well as with walking activities in the pool. Without Jack’s assistance, this participant would be unable to take the class of which he values as his “weekly therapy.” Jack has also assisted with the second class, focusing on the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. He has specifically assisted individuals with autism…He helped simplify exercises and gave extra one on one attention to help ensure the class’ success for the participants.

Jack truly enjoys his volunteering and has also been involved in assisting on two separate ski trips: cross-country and downhill as well as dog sledding and rafting trips. He is not afraid to ask what he needs to do and initiates assisting others. He also is sure to communicate any concerns he may have about participants’ well-being to staff.

He demonstrates a willingness to serve persons with disabilities. Not only has he made valuable contributions to the TRP, but because male volunteers are difficult to find during daytime hours, he especially has made a difference for the male participants in the program. His dedication is exemplary!

Will Matson

Will Matson makes it a priority to give of himself and his time. He served with Habitat for Humanity and has been an active contributor to Trinity Valley School Community Service Club where he currently serves as co-president.

A natural leader, Will is mature beyond his years. His confidence, resourcefulness and encouragement to those he leads is phenomenal. Will's dedication to volunteerism has led him to complete more than 350 hours of community service during the past four years.

Four years ago, Will went on his first Habitat for Humanity build. His contagious passion for Habitat soon earned him an appointment by the Habitat staff to Crew Chief where he would complete an intense two-month training program. Currently, Will is working toward becoming a Master Crew Chief which requires an additional four months of training.

When Will wasn’t on job sites, he was cooking meals for the residents at Presbyterian Night Shelter. Will not only prepared and served the food, but he also socialized with the residents in a kind, genuine manner. One of my most memorable experiences of Will was when a homeless woman asked him to pray for her. He immediately bowed his head and asked that blessings be bestowed on her.

He is an exceptional young man who is passionate about serving others. His example has resulted in community members also getting involved in volunteering.

Fran Miller

Fran Miller has been faithfully working in the hospice office every Tuesday morning for the past five years. She began her work after finding out about hospice volunteering in her church bulletin.

In an interview for our hospice newsletter she said, “I chose hospice because it is something I’ve always been interested in. After my dad passed and my mother got older, it seemed that she didn’t do much.” Unlike her mother, Fran wanted to continue to offer her talents to others on a regular basis. “When I retired,” she recalls, “It gave me something to do. At that time there were more volunteers than patients, so when the office found out about my work experience, they asked me if I’d do office work and it has grown from there.”

Fran sends out satisfaction survey letters to the families of all our hospice patients. She makes all of the sympathy, birthday, and holiday cards that go out to our patients and their families. She copies and compiles all the information and needed forms for opening packets, and yet she still makes time to visit patients when needed. When asked what keeps her coming back every week, she replied, “The people I work with. They are a nice, friendly, and caring bunch. I admire the people who work here. They have to be a special kind to do this work.” Fran is also a special kind. Not only does she serve hospice in her clerical duties and in direct patient services when she’s needed, she gives to the staff.

Everyone who comes into the room where Fran works is greeted by a wide, genuine smile and a sincere interest in their wellbeing. All the staff looks forward to being the recipient of one of her hugs. Moreover, she never forgets to send one of her handmade cards acknowledging the staff on almost every holiday.

She is equally caring, if not more so, to the patients and families she visits. There has never been anything but positive feedback from the people she has seen. She is willing to be a listening ear, an errand runner, or a housekeeper, making herself available for whatever is needed at the time. Fran is no stranger to care giving or to grief. She once lost three close family members in less than a year’s time. She helped care for her mother. Yet, Fran is one to transform painful experiences into deep and quiet compassion.

Fran finds that what is important in her life is God, family, and friends. Fran makes time for them all. In this era, it is remarkable to find someone who is dedicated enough to volunteer for the same organization for over five years. It is even more remarkable that she does so with enthusiasm, with empathy, and with the humility of one who is truly dedicated to what she does.

Brian Grim

Brian Grim is an excellent Community leader and role model. He is dedicated to all that he does, whether through his academic career, or his commitment to the community; there is nobody more giving of himself in this community, than Brian.

Brian has been extremely involved in the community through civic activities ranging from flood relief and clothing drives to serving with the Volunteer Team, Inc., at Rocky Gap State Park. Since 1992, Brian has been a part of the Volunteer Team, Inc., and he has amassed over 7,000 volunteer hours, himself. In 2006, while committed to a full-time position at Rocky Gap, and while participating with other community organizations, Brian volunteered over 1,000 hours. He has served the public through the Team as a member of the Board of Directors, as Chair of multiple committees, and as a member of even more. He formerly served as the Team’s Treasurer, as well as Vice President of the organization, having risen through the ranks because of his dedication to the local parks. In addition to his dedication to the local community through his service to Rocky Gap, he also volunteers with the non-profit Tri-State Concert Association, which brings entertainment to Allegany County, and he has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Western Potomac Chapter of the American Red Cross. Brian has recently been named as Vice-Chairman of the Western Potomac Chapter of the American Red Cross, and serves on several committees with the organization. He is currently serving as the Co-chair of the American Red Cross’ HEROES Fundraising campaign. Brian has also served the community through his participation in the Let’s Beautify Cumberland program. Brian’s greatest “personal act” is his giving of time and energy to the community.

The thousands of hours Brian has volunteered since beginning his civic activities in 1992, have made a tremendous impact to every organization and every facility in which Brian has spent his time. From the picnic tables he helped build many years ago at Rocky Gap, to the Christmas decorations he helps place each year for the annual Mt. Reflections Christmas Light Display, which serves as the primary fundraiser for the local chapter of the American Red Cross, it’s true that Brian’s efforts really do brighten up the community. Brian has a talent for coordinating efforts and bringing projects to fruition.

From a young age, he served people, as he was first introduced to “volunteerism” while in middle school, where he attended the school earlier than most students, in order to work in the school’s book store. He joined the Volunteer Team with his family, where throughout his life, he has been involved in coordinating, setting up, and pulling off events within the parks that draw hundreds of visitors and brighten the spirit of the local community. His involvement in the Volunteer Team remains consistent, something that is rarely the case with young people. His dedication from the age of 13, through to the age of 28, shows him to be a remarkable man. Rarely do we find individuals that are so giving of themselves and dedicated to the community around them.

Brian has a major impact on the community. Although he is nearly always behind the scenes, he is making a difference. From picking up garbage as a member of the volunteer squad that participated in the Let’s Beautify Cumberland program to helping sort and pack clothes for a massive clothing drive, it takes skill, determination, and commitment to offer so much; Brian Grim has all of those qualities.

Vanessa Wilson

Vanessa is an outstanding, model volunteer. In the year she has been a volunteer, she has taken on five wish children. She works with different partners to make sure children with life threatening medical conditions have the wish they so desire. She fills out all the required paperwork completely and keeps in touch with the children if they have a wish they are waiting on. It sounds simple, but going the extra mile to make sure everything is complete is just the type of volunteer we value most. She saves our office precious time by being so thorough.

She also saves the Foundation money by soliciting in kind donations from various organizations and always sends thank you notes. She was heavily involved in planning some of her wishes also when the Foundation needed her most. She has also been an active recruiter in the Gainesville area bringing other wonderful volunteers to the Foundation.

Vanessa can be counted on to represent the Foundation by speaking at various events to create awareness in the community about Make A Wish. She also volunteers her time at our various events.

She is very special to us and we would love nothing more than to recognize her amazing efforts with an award. It is a demanding volunteer job to grant wishes to children with life threatening illnesses and Vanessa always has our mission in mind and our children in her heart as she helps us grant wishes.

Audrey Cloyd

Food for Thought is a student designed program that allows individuals, civic organizations, and corporations to make donations for students to access. Food for Thought assisted 1288 students during the 2005/06 school year.

It is a known fact that hungry students cannot learn and according to Mr. David Chupa, Principal at SHHS, “thanks to FFT, it is very rare that a student goes without a meal at these campuses. The program provides a great meal service that is confidential and easy to use for the high school students.”

“I founded Food for Thought out of a genuine concern for fellow students at Science Hill High School when they did not have a pre-packed lunch or lunch money to purchase a traditional lunch meal. The high school has no-charge policy; therefore there is no back-up plan when students do not have lunch provisions. The humanitarian in me said, “no one in my city, the state of Tennessee, the United States, or the world for that matter should go without a meal in the 20th century.

Sharon Lee

Sharon started the White Co Meth Task Force to help addicts and their families survive the awful effects of substance abuse. After experiencing addiction in her own family she knew she had to do something to help other families like hers. She has organized the community to educate about the effects of drug and alcohol abuse in schools, churches and civic organizations. She helps answer the 24 hour information and referral line. She personally works with addicts to help them with budgeting, resumes and helps find placement into drug treatment facilities when necessary.

She runs the task force out of her personal business and absorbed almost the complete cost of running it for the entire first year. She is available 24 hours a day for families in need. She collaborates with other county agencies to make sure that the needs of these families are met. She volunteers in family team meetings with the Department of Family & Children’s Services when addiction or drug use is involved. She writes local grants to help fund special projects such as backpacks for DFACs kids, lab work to help get an addict into a treatment facility, and to fund our children’s support group for children of addicts just to name a few. She will personally pick up an adult or child and take them to their doctor or mental health appointments or anywhere that they need to go. She organizes our yearly fall festival which helps drug endangered children to have one day a year that is stress free and fun. She helps with the Celebrate Recovery Bible Study for women in our community to give them positive role models to model after. Sharon works with other counties to start coalition just like ours at no cost to try to expand our efforts to fight this epidemic!

Sharon does everything out of the goodness of her heart and expects nothing in return. I have never met a more dedicated individual in fighting to make a change in a community. She strives to make our community a better and safer place to live. If we had more people like Sharon our world would be a much happier place to live. She exemplifies what an individual who cares should be in everything that she does!