Team member Michael Freni's page
http://www.firstgiving.com/michaelfreni

Team  member Rafael Castro's page
http://www.firstgiving.com/rafaelcastro

Team member Marc Turgeon's page
http://www.firstgiving.com/marcturgeon

Team member Alice Murphy
http://www.firstgiving.com/alicemurphy

Team member Michael Coln
http://www.firstgiving.com/michael_coln

The FOL team page
http://www.firstgiving.com/fol2008bostonmarathonteam.

We also accept donations by check.  Please send checks to Friends of LADDERS, P.O. Box 920025, Needham, MA, 02492.

Your donations support the great work that takes place here. 

Please support our runners in the 2008 Boston Marathon, which will take place on April 21, 2008.

What:

We will need several students to provide on-site childcare while parents attend a 2 hour workshop.  You will be in a large, enclosed playroom adjacent to the training room.   Activities will be provided.  Children are toddlers or school-aged; some may have autism spectrum disorders with language/communication and attention challenges; others will be typical siblings.   Previous baby experience recommended by not required.  Supervision will be provided.  Great change to learn about children who have developmental disabilities and their families.   

When: One Wednesday evening per month.

What Time: 6:00 pm – no later than 9:00 pm (guaranteed 3 hours of community service) 

Where:  Charles River ARC, Needham, in the Paul Merritt Center,  www.crarc.org

Contact: Julie O'Brien, Resource Specialist, LADDERS, 781-449-6074, x1256, jobrien20@partners.org

We are recruiting runners who are interested in supporting our organization and the work that takes place at LADDERS.  Runners must commit to a fundraising goal of at least $5,000 (with a minimum required raise of $3,000).

Last year’s Friends of LADDERS Boston Marathon Team members, who ran the 111th Boston Marathon in April, raised more than $30,000 for the clinic.



2007 team members, shown here at the pre-race dinner at Bertucci's in Wellesley, are, in no particular order, Rafael Castro, Michael Coln, Terrilynn Hiben, Marilyn Shaski, Marc Turgeon, and Lisa Vasallo.

Be part of history! Take part in the 112^th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2008 and support Friends of LADDERS. 

Don’t delay.  Spaces on the Friends of LADDERS 2008 Boston Marathon Team will fill quickly.

For more information and an application, please e-mail us at fol@ladders.org.

To donate online to the Friends of LADDERS 2008 Boston Marathon Team, please visit http://www.firstgiving.com/fol2008bostonmarathonteam

Enrollment for this study is closed but please contact Myrill Solaski at 781-449-6074 x1245 or msolaski@partners.org with any questions.

The LADDERS program is pleased to announce the 1st Roger A. Bauman M.D. Parent Lecture Series on Autism Spectrum Disorders 2008

January – June 2008 Speaker/Topic Schedule:

January 23    Dr. Margaret Bauman: “Overview of Medical and Research Advances in the Causes and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders”   (*please note this is a change in original posted schedule from January 16)

February 27   Dr. Sheldon Wagner:  “Behavior Management in Service of Developmental Growth: Seven-ish Useful Strategies”

March 19   Panel: Tracy Osbhar, Director, Specialty Services, Department of Public Health; Dr. Robert Ross, Director BEACON Services; other Early Childhood staff tbd: “Early Intervention Services & the Transition to the Public School, What Parents Need to Know”

April 16    Johanne Pino, Mass Advocates For Children &  Shelly Greene, Educational Advocate:  “Special Education Laws, Basic Rights & Advocacy Strategies for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders”

May 21   Panel: Gail Havelick, Department of Public Health; staff from Department of Mental Retardation: “Access to Public Benefits and Services For Children with ASD, Understanding and Navigating the System”

June 18   Dot Lucci, ME.d. CAGS & Dr. Scott McLeod:  “Transitions & Related Issues For Children with ASD in Adolescence & Young Adulthood”

When:   Wednesday Evenings   6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
Where: Charles River ARC, 59 E. Militia Heights Rd, Needham, MA    Paul D. Merritt Center. For directions, please visit www.crarc.org or call: 781-444-4347

For registration or for any questions AND weather cancellations: please call Julie O’Brien, Resource Specialist at LADDERS: 781-449-6074 ext 1256. Fee per session: $5 per person; *For updates on the schedule visit: www.ladders.org.  Please note: the series will not be held in July or August, but will resume September – December 2008.

*Childcare will be provided each night for 10 spots on a first come/first serve basis.
*There will be light snacks/coffee provided.
*Special thanks to Charles River ARC for their support in providing  the space.

The Organizing committee: Roula Choueiri, MD; Julie O’Brien, Resource Specialist; Susan Sutherland, parent, Friends of LADDERS.

Directions to Charles River ARC:

Charles River Arc is located about 12 miles west of downtown Boston and about 5 miles south of the Mass Turnpike.
 
Take Interstate Route 95 (State Route 128) to Exit 19B (Highland Avenue-Needham -- a westerly direction).Follow Highland Ave. until you reach the third set of traffic lights (about 1 mile). Starbucks will be on your left.
 
Take a right onto West Street.Follow West St. until it ends at a "T" intersection with Central Ave. (About 1/2 Mile)
 
Take a left on to Central Ave. and follow for about 1/4 mile.
 
Turn right on to Forest Street. (Volante Farm Stand on the corner).
 
Bear left after the farm stand and take your first left onto E. Militia Heights Rd. 
 
Follow this private road to the very top of the steep hill and enter our property on your left. Charles River Arc's Paul D. Merritt Center is on the right.