The Provident Bank Foundation recently presented The Calais School with an $8,450 Major Grant check for a school bus. The grant funds are part of a larger fundraising effort with The Calais Foundation to provide transportation for the school’s Structured Learning Experience (SLE). SLE places high school students with special needs in community-based internships. Calais Foundation donors pledged $20,000 for a school vehicle and a giving challenge at the Foundation’s 2015 Gala raised an additional $7,200 for the bus.

Each year, The Calais School partners with an increasing number of local businesses, including ShopRite of Greater Morristown, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Library, and CareOne in Whippany. Work experiences encourage students to not only survive in the ‘real world’ but to thrive, advocate for themselves, and commit to meaningful work. The SLE program helps students with special needs cultivate the critical thinking, social, and problem-solving skills needed to be successful as adults.

SLE Coordinator Lisa Vallo shared, “A Calais School bus allows us to expand the number of community-based internships available to our students. We are so happy The Provident Bank Foundation has helped make this a reality.”

“The Provident Bank Foundation is proud to support The Calais School and their efforts in providing transportation for the students in the Structured Learning Experience program,” said Jane Kurek, Executive Director, The Provident Bank Foundation.”Providing the students the opportunity to experience community-based internships will enable them to thrive and become successful adults.”

The new school bus will also be used for SLE field trips designed to help students learn life and leisure skills. It will also transport students to classes at County College of Morris in Randolph, NJ.

Pictured: Representatives show off their check toward a school bus in front of student artwork depicting life at the school. From left: Dr. Diane Manno, Principal, The Calais School; Jennifer Tedeschi, Secretary, The Calais Foundation; Megan LoBue, Trustee, The Calais Foundation; Rob Melchionne, Vice President, Middle Market Lending, The Provident Bank; Jane Kurek, Executive Director, The Provident Bank Foundation; David Leitner, Executive Director, The Calais School. 

 

About The Provident Bank Foundation

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $21million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities. For more information about The Provident Bank Foundation, visit http://www.ProvidentNJFoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.

 

More information on The Calais Foundation, a non­profit with a mission to empower children with serious learning and behavioral problems so they can overcome their challenges and be responsible, productive and reach their fullest potential, can be found at www.calaisfoundation.org.