Growing Our Own Scholarship Program

Challenge Grant could add $140,000 to fund

When a news reporter asked our founder Mary Cariola what she would have done differently in her lifetime, she responded, “I would have gone to college—education is so important.”

Taking Mary’s comments to heart, the agency has made a concerted effort to raise designated funds specifically for the purpose of providing staff the opportunity to further their careers through additional education. As the need for staff development continues to be a high priority, the Agency has established a program known as “Growing Our Own,” which provides teacher aides, teacher assistants and teachers, as well as nurses and clinical staff, with scholarship support. This effort helps in both the recruitment and retention of good, qualified educators and clinicians, both of which are in short supply. And thanks to the Glover-Crask Charitable Trust Challenge Grant, more funds will be available for our staff to go to the head of the class.

In celebration of the Agency’s 70th anniversary, the Glover-Crask Charitable Trust will match donations to the Growing Our Own fund up to $70,000. This matching grant is the most recent example of the valued relationship between the Glover-Crask Trust and Mary Cariola.

In the past two years staff have returned to school to obtain their Teacher Certification, Behavior Analyst Certification, or Social Work licensure. In addition to helping cover the cost of each of these opportunities, we have established partnerships with local colleges for tuition reductions and have teamed up with Roberts Wesleyan and Monroe Community College to create designated scholarships for Mary Cariola employees.

Over 90 staff members are currently involved in the Growing Our Own program.

For Teacher Aide Felicia King, returning to school allows her to gain a better understanding of human behavior, which has always been an interest. She already has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, but is now working towards a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.

“After being out of school for 12 years, I started grad school in Fall 2018, at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education,” Felicia said. Even working full-time, she is on track to graduate by May 2021.

Completing the formal education program will have a great impact on students and programs.

“Becoming a Behavior Analyst will allow me to provide more to our students. I will be able to conduct Functional Behavior Analyses, write and update Behavior Intervention programs, and run Behavior Intervention Program review meetings.”

And feeling good about your career adds to self-confidence and a highly skilled staff.

“I truly love what I do,” Felicia added. “I help students learn new skills that improve their quality of life and open up more opportunities for them out in the community after graduation. It is exciting to be part of the innovative work that we do here at Mary Cariola!”

Furthering the education of our employees is vital to the success of serving our students and residents as well as their families. Help us raise $70,000 to maximize the generous challenge grant from the Glover-Crask Charitable Trust. DONATE NOW to our Growing Our Own Scholarship fund or join us on Thursday, November 7 as we raise funds for Staff Scholarships and Agency Programs. Event and ticket information can be found HERE.