2014 Community Report - The Birchtree Center

2064 Woodbury Ave • Suite 204
Newington, NH 03801-2808
Our not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization exists to
promote independence, engaging relationships,
and productive lives for children and youth with
autism at home, at school, and in the community.
603.433.4192
Community Report 2014
www.birchtreecenter.org
©The Birchtree Center, 2014
Dear Friends,
Ever wondered why our nonprofit is called The Birchtree Center? Because shallow-rooted
birches often grow in clusters to survive. Similarly, students with autism must be surrounded by supportive families, instructors, and community members to grow and flourish.
Thank you for being one of those essential community members! Your generosity has
allowed our nonprofit to invest in teaching technology, student transportation, expert
instruction, and more. Check out the photos inside to see how your contributions are
making a difference for students with autism in our community!
With your support, Birchtree has expanded our programs far beyond our school in
Newington. Birchtree’s autism experts are now helping students with autism to learn
and thrive in dozens of public-school classrooms in New Hampshire, Maine, and
Massachusetts. Students are also participating in summer camps, volunteering at local
nonprofits, and preparing to become productive members of their communities.
Thanks again for making these learning opportunities possible for local students with
autism. We’re honored to include you in our community of supporters.
With warmest thanks,
Bruce Dicker
President, Birchtree Board of Directors
Sandra Pierce-Jordan, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Executive Director / Program Director
Your Dollars at Work:
2003 vs. 2013
What a difference
a decade makes—
when we have the
support of donors
like you!
Educators and
para-educators
served
Parents &
caregivers
served
387
Students
with autism
served
89
9
2003
2013
50%recycled paper
Because you’ve helped
Birchtree to grow, our autism
experts can now help many
more students with autism to
learn inside and outside
the classroom.
For example, last summer,
one local student was able
to attend Surf Camp with
support from a Birchtree
Outreach instructor.
We served just 27
people in 2003, our first
full year of operation.
In 2013, we served
663 people. Thank you
for helping make this
growth possible!
Public school
districts
served
187
18
2003
29
9
0
2013
2003
2013
2003
2013
birchtreecenter.org
| 1
CONTRIBUTORS,
INDIVIDUALS
Seeds of Growth ($250+)
Benefactors ($2,500+)
Anonymous Board
Member
7/1/12-6/30/14
Anonymous (5)
Supporters ($1,000+)
Anonymous (156)
You helped make Birchtree a winner!
With your support, Birchtree has
achieved amazing things—and received
some exciting recognition:
Coolest Companies for Young
Professionals Award at the 2013
Rising Stars Awards (an initiative of Stay Work
Play in partnership with NH Public Radio)
Outstanding Women in Business
Award to Executive Director Sandra PierceJordan in 2014 (presented by NH Business
Review with presenting sponsor Centrix Bank)
2 | 603.433.4192
Courtesy of NHBR/Jodie Andruskevich
Individual Donors
Birchtree’s Executive Director Sandra PierceJordan (at center) receives an Outstanding
Women in Business Award from Sharron
McCarthy, publisher of NH Business Review,
and Joe Reilly, president of Centrix Bank.
^in-kind contributor; *in-kind & cash contributor; +deceased
CONTRIBUTORS, 7/1/12-6/30/14
Individual Donors, con’t
If you made a contribution between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2014, and your name has been omitted or misspelled, please accept our apologies and
contact us so we can correct our records: Jessica Squier, (603) 433-4192; JessicaFS@birchtreecenter.org.
^in-kind contributor; *in-kind & cash contributor; +deceased
birchtreecenter.org
| 3
CONTRIBUTORS, 7/1/12-6/30/14
Family & Staff Donors
Anonymous (6)
Fitness Challenge for
Autism Awareness
Month, April 2014
Our Challenge: Birchtree’s
students, families, staff and
volunteers set a goal for how
many miles they would run,
walk, swim and/or ride in April.
They asked their family &
friends to support their efforts
by making pledges per mile.
Birchtree’s students walked
over 500 miles combined this
April to commemorate Autism
Awareness Month.
This student/instructor team
won the design contest for our
2014 Miles in Our Shoes logo—
check out their work above!
4 | 603.433.4192
14,023
LES
MI
Our Results: Our 152
challenge participants
logged 14,023 miles
total and raised over
$18,000 for Birchtree’s
Student Support Fund!
Volunteers & Fitness Challenge Participants
CONTRIBUTORS, 7/1/12-6/30/14
FOUNDATIONS &
ORGANIZATIONS
Visionaries
Gifts in Honor
& in Memory
($10,000+)
The Madelaine G. von Weber Trust
Investors
($5,000+)
Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast
Transportation^
Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation –
Piscataqua Region
Benefactors
($2,500+)
Altrusa International, Seacoast Chapter*
Arthur Getz Charitable Trust, RBS Citizens,
N.A. Trustee
Foundation for Seacoast Health^
Supporters
($1,000+)
Contributions from donors like you and
from The Madelaine G. von Weber Trust
allowed us to purchase two more vehicles
for student transportation in 2013.
Kaplan Family Charitable Fund
New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway
Children’s Charities
The Richard Foundation
Seacoast Rotary Club
Small Steps in Speech^
Seeds of Growth ($250+)
Autism Speaks, in conjunction with TOMY^
Third Grade at Berwick Academy
Coit House, Episcopal Diocese of NH
Embracing Autism New Hampshire
Granite State Independent Living^
Hampton Community Coalition^
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New
England, Inc.^
Liberty Mutual Foundation
Moses Paul Masonic Lodge #96, Dover
Ness/Rodenberg Family Foundation
New England Patriots Charitable Foundation^
New Hampshire Art Association^
Portsmouth Garden Club
Rotary Club of Portsmouth
Seacoast Rotary Club
Trinity Church^
UNH Office of Human Resources^
Birchtree is able to invest in instructional
technology thanks to donors like you.
Government & Municipal Supporters
Governor Maggie Hassan^
Greenland Volunteer Fire
Department^
North Salem Elementary
School
Portsmouth Public Library^
Newington Fire Department^ Portsmouth Public Pool^
NH Vocational Rehabilitation^ Town of New Castle, NH^
Organization Contributors
Boston by Foot^
Boston College Athletic Dept.^
Children’s Museum of NH^
Clean Air-Cool Planet^
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester
Grand Lodge of New Hampshire
I.O.O.F.
Hackmatack Playhouse^
Liberty Mutual Foundation
LifeWise Community Projects, Inc.^
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad
Museum^
National Student Speech Language
& Hearing Association, University
of New Hampshire Chapter^
NH Center for Nonprofits^
Seacoast Science Center^
NH Fisher Cats Foundation^
Strawbery Banke Museum^
NH Sports & Social Club^
Team Hoyt^
NH Troopers’ Association^
Ogunquit Playhouse^
Old Sturbridge Village^
O’Neil Family Fund
Palace Theatre^
Peabody Essex Museum^
Planet Aid
The Music Hall^
The Silver Linings, Oyster River
Middle School^
U. Maine Black Bear Hockey^
UNH Wildcat Football^
UNH Wildcat Men’s Hockey^
Portland Stage^
Verizon Foundation, Inc.
Portland Symphony Orchestra^
YMCA of the Seacoast^
Rotary Club of the Fryeburg Area
WXGR 103.5 FM^
^in-kind contributor; *in-kind & cash contributor
birchtreecenter.org
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CONTRIBUTORS, 7/1/12-6/30/14
BUSINESSES
Supporters ($1,000+)
Visionaries ($10,000+)
Amoskeag Network
Consulting Group, LLC^
Seacoast Sports Clubs^
Bauer^
Benefactors ($2,500+)
Centrix Bank
Anchor Line Web & Screen Works^ Toby Stowe, CPA*
Microsoft^
Water Country^
Scholastic, Inc.^
White Diamond Painting
Seeds of Growth ($250+)
AD&D Window Cleaning^
Alex and Ani Portsmouth
Beachmere Inn^
Billy Eli and the Spooklights^
Bob’s Clam Hut
Bottomline Technologies, Inc.
C&J^
Captain Lord Mansion, Inn
& Spa^
Cocheco Country Club^
Coed Sportswear, Inc.^
Davidson & Stone, PLLC
Demijon Music Clan^
Dos Amigos Burritos*
Enviro Kid, LDI Corporation^
Gallant Chiropractic &
Chiropractic Acupuncture
Wellness Center^
James Amlaw^
JSA | Architects Planners
Interiors
Judy Posner Fine Art^
Lindt & Sprungli^
Business Contributors
7th Settlement Brewery^
99 Restaurant, Portsmouth^
AIG Matching Grants Program
AmazonSmile
Amtrak Downeaster^
A. K. Myette & Sons Inc.
Anneke Jans^
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue
Shield New Hampshire^
Apple Hill Golf Club^
Aroma Joe’s^
Attitash Mountain^
Back Country Excursions^
BAE Systems Matching Gifts
Program
Barnes & Noble Booksellers,
Portsmouth^
Basketball Hall of Fame^
BD
Bedford Ambulatory Surgical
Center^
Ben & Jerry’s, Manchester^
Best Buy^
BJ’s Wholesale Club,
Portsmouth^
Blast Party Rentals^
Bloomin Cow Creamery^
Boston Bruins^
Boston Duck Tours^
Boston Red Sox^
Bounce Zone/XL Sports^
Bowl-O-Rama^
British Beer Company^
Buffalo Wild Wings^
Build-A-Bear Workshop^
Cabot Creamery^
6 | 603.433.4192
Canobie Lake Park^
Canvas on Demand^
Cardiovascular Care of NH^
Charity Blast
Chili’s Grill and Bar, Dover^
Chipotle Grill^
Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co.^
Clippin’ Point^
Coat of Arms British Pub^
Common Man Restaurant^
Cranmore Mountain Resort^
Danforth Bay Camping & RV
Resort^
DeMeritt Hill Farm^
The District^
Diversions Puzzles & Games^
Down East Enterprise, Inc.^
Elements Massage^
Elite Hobbies^
Elizabeth Beaudoin
Photography^
Farm Bar & Grill^
Fixx Pro Handyman Services^
Flatbread Company, Hampton^
George & Phillips^
Great Bay Hair Company^
Great Bay Outlaw Decoys^
Great New Hampshire
Restaurants^
Green Earth Baby Works^
Green Mountain Coffee^
Gunstock Mountain Resort^
Hannaford Helps Schools
Hayden Sports^
HealthSTAR Advisors^
Hilltop Fun Center^
State Street Discount^
The Flatbread Company
Portsmouth
Fischer Skis U.S.^
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Michael W. Kaplan^
NAI Norwood Group
Party City, Newington^
Servo Components & Systems
Sextant Holdings^
Sherwin-Williams,
Rochester, NH^
Matt Berkowitz Photography^
NextEra Energy Resources^
The McLane Law Firm
Portsmouth Book & Bar^
Merchants Auto Group^
Portsmouth Builders
Mount Sunapee Resort^
Portsmouth Gas Light Co.^
River Swift Custom
Carpentry^
Seacoast Kidney &
Hypertension Specialists^
Seacoast United^
Serve with Liberty^
Stratham Hill Stone^
TOMY, in conjunction with
Autism Speaks^
Unitil
Walt Disney World Resort^
Wink Salon & Spa^
Clark Chrysler Jeep Dodge
Ram^
Coastal CPR & First Aid, LLC^
Mr. Fox Composting^
Pursuit Racing
Mundi Westport Group^
Q A Technology Company, Inc.
NBT Bank*
Randa Luggage^
New England Revolution^
Ray Beaudoin & Sons, Inc.
The Neuromantics^
Redhook Brewery^
New England Medical
Insurance Agency, LLC^
Rep Source^
Target
Timberland^
Wireless Zone
Verizon Premium Retailer
Plaistow & Concord, NH*
Walmart Supercenter Store
#2130 Portsmouth^
Birchtree on the Move
Hilton Garden Inn
Portsmouth^
Hy-Line Cruises^
Isles of Shoals
Steamship Co.^
James L. D’Adamo
Institute for the
Advancement of
Natural Therapies^
Jessica Bettcher
Photography^
Jessica Todd Salon^
Joanne Lee
Photography^
Johnson’s Seafood and
Steak^
Jump on In,
Portsmouth^
Juniper Networks
Matching Gifts
Program
Kelley’s Row^
KI Furniture^
King Pine Ski Area^
Knoll^
La Festa Brick & Brew^
Loco Coco’s Tacos^
Lowell Spinners^
Making Faces^
Manchester Monarchs^
Margaritas^
Martingale Wharf^
Mill Stores^
Mizuna^
Mohegan Sun^
Mug Shots^
New Hampshire Fisher Cats^
Newick’s Lobster House^
NextEra Energy Resources^
NH Martial Arts Academy^
Nick’s Door & Window, Inc.^
Nonatum Resort^
Northeast Surgical Center^
NY Sky Ride^
O’Neil Entertainment Group^
Orange Leaf Portsmouth
OtterBox^
Oxbow Hair Design^
Pease Golf Course^
Photography by Kimberly^
Photos Where YOU Are^
Popovers on the Square^
Port City Coffee Roasters^
Portland Pirates^
Portland Seadogs^
Portsmouth Center for Yoga
& Arts^
Portsmouth Health Food
Center^
Qing Art Gallery^
Ristorante Massimo^
RMC^
Robert’s Maine Grill^
Rosa Restaurant^
Rudi’s^
Runner’s Alley^
Saddleback Mountain^
Saigon in Tokyo^
Salem Witch Museum^
Samuel Adams^
Santa’s Village^
Savers, Portsmouth^
Seacoast Roadside Services
& Towing
Seacoast Student Massage
Clinic^
Shawnee Peak Ski Resort^
^in-kind contributor; *in-kind & cash contributor
CONTRIBUTORS, 7/1/12-6/30/14
Expenses
(14%)
(78%)
Because Birchtree
invests in...
Program Staffing (78%):
99Students with autism get
one-on-one instruction from
highly trained and qualified autism
specialists.
99Each student has an individualized
program designed and supervised
by our autism experts—Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Special Educators, an Occupational Therapist, and a
Speech-Language Pathologist.
99We measure students’ daily
progress and modify students’
programs to suit their changing
needs.
99Birchtree’s autism experts teach
proven strategies to families,
educators, caregivers, and service
providers.
Building Donor Relationships (1%)
Program
Staffing
Other
Program
Support Services &
Administration (7%)
OPERATING EXPENSES, 7/1/13 - 6/30/14
Other Program Expenses
(14%):
99Students get the tools and
technology they need to maximize
their learning and independence.
Why does Birchtree
need donations?
Tuition fees cannot cover the
full cost of Birchtree’s intensive,
specialized programs and the
support services that make
those programs possible.
Your contributions in 2014 and
beyond will allow Birchtree to
invest in essential program
enhancements:
$10,000
99Students and instructors can travel
throughout the community for
practical, hands-on instruction.
99Our facilities are safe and
appropriate for students.
$5,000
Support Services & Administration (7%) and Building
Donor Relationships (1%):
99Our financial accounting is timely
and accurate.
99We can recruit and train
outstanding employees.
$2,500
99We can prudently plan and
prepare to expand our autism
services to meet the growing need.
Business Contributors, Con’t
Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside
Hotel^
Sherwin-Williams, Portsmouth,
NH^
Six Flags New England^
Skin Health Medi-Spa^
Southside Fitness^
Squier’s Auto Body
Stadig Fuels
Staples^
Stonewall Kitchen^
Storyland^
Stratham Tire^
Street^
Sugarz Hair Salon^
Sullivan Tire^
Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC
Summer Sessions Surf Shop^
Sweet Traditions^
Target Take Charge of Education
Teknion Furniture^
Three Rivers Whitewater^
Tiger Lilies Floral Boutique^
Tracy Thompson Photography^
Tutor Doctor^
UBS Matching Gift Program
U-Haul Moving & Storage of
Portsmouth^
United Technologies Matching
Gift Program
UNH Bookstore^
Vineyard Vines^
Walmart Newington^
WebSauce Software^
Wendy Delucci, Salon Sabéha^
Wheel of Fortune^
Wholesale Supplies Plus^
Wildcat Mountain / Attitash^
Wonderworks^
The Works Bakery Café^
The Works Health Club^
Workout Fitness^
York Hospital^
York’s Wild Kingdom^
As part of The Birchtree Center’s commitment to transparency, we will make our
reviewed annual financial statements available upon request.
^in-kind contributor; *in-kind & cash contributor
$1,000
$250
underwrites
one year
of Adapted
Physical
Education
instruction.
funds
supplies &
equipment
for six
months of
art classes
at Birchtree.
provides
one year of
swimming
and exercise
at local gyms
for 20+
students.
fuels a van
for one year
to transport
students for
hands-on
learning in the
community.
funds 4 months
of ingredients
& supplies
for lessons in
cooking and
other essential
“life skills.”
birchtreecenter.org
| 7
BOARD & STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bruce Dicker, FAIA, President
Ann Tarlton, MA, Director
Andrew E. Smith, PhD, Vice President
Mike Teixeira, Director
Allison Bussiere, Secretary
Bob Gross, Parent Representative
Dennis Riendeau, CPA, Treasurer
Glicka Kaplan, MS, Past President
MaryLiz (M.L.) Geffert, JD, Director
Sarah Grazier, Director
Richard Guare, PhD, BCBA-D, Director
Carol McClard, Director
Sandra Pierce-Jordan, PhD, BCBA-D,
Executive Director / Program Director*
Erin Conlan, MSEd, BCBA, Staff
Representative*
Catherine Barnard, MEd, Staff
Representative*
Amy Smucker, MS, Director
*non-voting board members
PROGRAM & STAFF LEADERSHIP
Sandra Pierce-Jordan, PhD, BCBA-D, Executive Director / Program Director
Administrative & Support Staff
Your Dollars at Work:
Achieving Program Excellence
Jasmine Holdman, Administrative Assistant
Sarah Ouellette, Director of Human Resources
Holly Robacher, MBA, Director of Finance
Jessica Files Squier, MA, Director of Development & Community Relations
Birchtree’s staff “demystified our son’s
behaviors and gave us the tools for how to
respond and support new learning.”
Behavior Analysts & Senior Clinical Instructors
—Parent of a Birchtree student
served through Birchtree’s Outreach program
“The culture of high quality & professionalism is evident throughout the school...”
—Report from a site visit to Birchtree conducted
for the NH Dept. of Education’s Program Approval
“I enjoy the classes each time I come.
Keep up the good work and thank you!”
—Autism Workshop attendee
Save the Date: 11/15/14
Special Education Staff
Shelly Fagen, MIT, Director of Special Education
Emily Hall, MEd, Special Education Case Manager
Debbie Patten, MEd, Transition Coordinator
Sarah Stranger Stein, MAT, Special Education Case Mgr.
Related Services
23,576
LES
MI
“I know that the practical, scientific, and
creative approach taken by Birchtree’s
staff has not only helped our daughter but
other special needs children within the
school...”
—Parent of a public-school student
Erin Conlan, MSEd, BCBA, Behavior Analyst
Marianne Evans, MS, BCBA, Behavior Analyst
Julianne Kanner, MS, BCBA, Outreach Behavior Analyst
Blaire Luebkeman, MSEd, BCBA, Behavior Analyst
Stephanie Morin, MSEd, BCBA, Outreach Behavior Analyst
Rebecca Walsh, MSEd, BCBA, Behavior Analyst
, Senior Clinical Instructor
Brianne Pileggi, MEd, Senior Clinical Instructor
Birchtree’s autism
experts traveled
23,576 miles to
help students with
autism at home
and in public
schools in 2013.
Cathy Booth, CCC-SLP, BCBA, Consulting Speech-Language Pathologist
Kimberly Maki, SLP-A, Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Justine Mariano, SLPA/L, Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Kimberly Mihelich, RN, BSN, School Nurse
Nicole Sheaff, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist
Emily McIntosh, OT Senior Clinical Instructor
Instructional Staff
It’s going to be another fun night for a great
cause! We hope you can join us for our
Benefit for Learning on Saturday, Nov. 15th,
from 7-10pm. birchtreecenter.org/auction
8 | 603.433.4192
Tisha Achorn
Sara Amacio
Kelly Amlaw
Charlotte Backhaus
Catherine Barnard,
MEd
Adam Bastille
Kyle Bergquist
Cynthia Birse
Julia Call
Zachary Cherry
James Cutler
Naomi C. Diaz
Meagan Downs
Brittnay Duperon
Ashton Eastman
Tazia Eastman
Megan Falkenham
Lorraine Fjeld
Lauren Gorry
Michael Harris
Jessica Hayward
Laurie Hounam
Christina Johnson
Michelle Laing,
MEd
Stephanie LaMarca
Samantha Law
Adam Magee
Mike Maltagliati
Jody McKenzie
Elise McLaughlin
Hunter Nichols
Kaitlyn O’Neill
Tamara Ozlanski
Elizabeth Perry
Brian Person
Carly Popovich
Tanya Rhinerson
Shraya Sharma
Jennifer Shepard
Alysha Volkman
Rebecca Wike
50% recycled paper