By: Maria Williams
Mental health is just as important to children as it is to adults, and their mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being has a huge impact on future development. However, around one in every six children ages 2 to 8 in the US has a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder according to the CDC. These disorders pose huge challenges to children and their parents, and many of these children are not able to access the same opportunities as their neurotypical peers.
To help it continue its mission to provide academic and economic opportunities for children, including those with mental and learning disabilities, Alecloud Kids Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in New York, is seeking partners that can help provide resources and professional expertise to support its operations.
According to Eviana Breuss, MD, PhD, Alecloud Kids Foundation’s Founder and President, the organization offers direct social and emotional learning to children, including those with disorders such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Given these children’s often natural gifts in the arts and digital literacy, Alecloud’s programs focus on the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), imparting important skills, such as abstract reasoning and critical thinking. Recognizing the rapidly changing world its students are growing up in, the programs incorporate timely topics such as computer programming and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the foundation follows New York City’s Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS), and programs are delivered by professionals with significant experience in teaching and education.
Aside from STEM programs, Alecloud Kids Foundation also offers programs in art and English language. These help children become well-rounded individuals, fostering independent thinking and expression, as well as strengthening their communication skills. To meet the needs of its students who have mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders, Alecloud provides referrals and works closely with accredited professionals offering services such as speech pathology, child psychology/psychotherapy, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) providers.
Dr. Breuss says that the funds it is raising will be used to open two new centers, one in Manhattan and another in Kings County, allowing the organization to reach a wider, more diverse population. It has already obtained the government approvals required for these centers, with only the funds needed to build the facilities. The organization is also looking to partner with more professionals in the fields of education and child psychology, enabling it to serve more children.
Furthermore, the Alecloud Kids Foundation will organize an event around the transformative power of art. The event gives children, especially those with mental and learning disabilities, the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents, recognizing their inherent gifts in this area. Dr. Breuss appreciates any support to help make these events possible on a quarterly basis.
Dr. Breuss agrees with the observation that the mental health of children and teens has been deteriorating, with feelings of persistent sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors having grown by about 40% in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. She says that some of the reasons include children spending more time away from their parents due to work, children from immigrant families having a harder time assimilating into their new environment, and the high demands placed on them by the school system and social life.
“The youth mental health crisis continues to worsen, and it isn’t showing signs of slowing down soon,” Dr. Breuss says. “The Alecloud Kids Foundation was founded to leverage various strategic and cross-sector partnerships among individuals and organizations that share a passion for children’s equality, including those with mental and learning disabilities. By providing direct social and emotional learning (SEL), STEM academic support, and advanced paraprofessional care, we seek to make a difference in the welfare of children. We look forward to working more closely with expert partners and generous donors in extending our vital services to more children and families, particularly in New York.”
Published By: Aize Perez
