Frances Stevens Fund benefits new Multi-Sensory Environment Center
A recent grant award from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation is making a difference in the lives of children with developmental disabilities at the Benedictine School.
This past fall, MSCF awarded $8,756 from the Frances Stevens Fund to Benedictine Programs and Services to purchase equipment for the Multi-Sensory Environment Center. A group of MSCF leaders recently toured the campus in Ridgely, Md., and were among the very first visitors to see the newly designed center.
The Multi-Sensory Environment Center was created for Benedictine students who experience Sensory Processing Disorders. SPD occurs when sensory signals are not detected or are not organized into appropriate responses by the brain. A person with SPD has difficulty processing and acting on information received through the senses. This presents challenges in performing everyday tasks and communicating with others.
The MSCF funds were used to buy and install new therapeutic equipment such as interactive fiber optics, an illuminated marble panel, interactive power cube, a Star Gazer, and aroma diffuser. MSCF members who took the tour were excited to learn about the new center and equipment from Lori Bennett, clinical coordinator of Benedictine Related Services.
“The addition of the new Multi-Sensory Environment greatly enhances our sensory-based interventions for our students with Sensory Processing Disorders here at Benedictine,” Bennett said. “This sensory room was designed in collaboration with Tom Marshall of Southpaw, Inc. Essential items were added through the extraordinary generosity of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. We can’t thank that foundation enough for the ways our students at Benedictine will benefit from the use of this safe, interactive, and calming setting.”
Buck Duncan, MSCF president, said he was delighted to see the funds being put to good use.
“I am happy to support Benedictine’s mission on behalf of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation,” Duncan said. “At MSCF, we know what a great service Benedictine provides to the Mid-Shore. The care they offer to people with developmental disabilities is top notch, and has been for a long time.”
