| |  | What an unforgettable evening! Once again, our Eat, Drink & Be Mary event was filled with joy, connection, and an outpouring of generosity that left us all truly inspired. It was not just a fundraiser, it was a night that reminded us of the power of community, bringing people together around a cause that matters deeply. From the signature martinis to wine roulette and the energy of the live auction and paddle raise, every part of the night offered something special. Thanks to the nearly 250 leadership donors and friends of Cariola who were in attendance, and the many sponsors and other supporters of the event, we raised a record-breaking $510,000 to help the children and young adults at Mary Cariola continue to learn and grow in a loving and caring environment. Thank you for making Eat, Drink, & Be Mary an unforgettable celebration! We are so grateful for your support. | |  | | | | | Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, SWBR Architects, and our supporting sponsors: | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | Speech Pathologist Lawanza Lane, a 19-year employee, is making big changes with a small budget. Known for her knack for hacks, she is transforming her shared therapy space into a more inclusive, accessible environment—ensuring that every student, regardless of ability, receives the communication support they need. And she is tapping into the fresh perspectives and talents of new team members to make it a reality. With tech guidance from IT Specialist Hy’suon Hill, Lawanza assembled a versatile setup using a computer, iPad, DVD/TV, and tripod with a gooseneck arm. This innovation supports students in wheelchairs by allowing for better visibility and flexibility. Then came Multimedia Specialist Nate DeFreest, who built and mounted an off-the-shelf screen that can be repositioned to accommodate students’ visual and physical needs. “As budgets are tight, I’m exploring affordable ways to assess communication apps,” Lawanza said. “Especially for students who can’t use traditional tools like direct-select or eye-gaze devices, too often, these students fall through the cracks.” These low-cost creative solutions are empowering her to meet students where they are—physically and developmentally. And as the school year wraps up, Lawanza has plans to decorate the space with an artistic flair. She said, “I’m thinking of titling it ‘Mary Cariola’s Kids: An Interpretation of Her Vision.’” Her shared therapy space now stands as a creative, resourceful tribute to accessibility and student-centered care—one that reflects the mission that Mary Cariola Center has championed for decades. | | | | | |  | A Note and Invitation from Ric Carley Partner, President and Chief Operations Officer, Nichols Construction Team The spirit of giving is woven into the fabric of Nichols Construction Team. Since joining the company in 1991, I’ve been continually inspired by the generosity of our founders—Jim, John, and Brad Nichols—who led by example, supporting children’s nonprofits with both their time and financial resources. Their legacy of philanthropy remains one of our company's core values today. | | | | One of our most meaningful partnerships is with the Mary Cariola Center, a remarkable organization serving children and young adults with complex disabilities. In the late 1980s, the Nichols family donated land on Bailey Road that allowed Mary Cariola to build a group home—constructed by Nichols Construction Team—which still supports its residential programs today. In 2014, John Nichols partnered with developer Bernie Iacovangelo to facilitate the donation of another parcel of land on East River Road, leading to the construction of an additional group home. More recently, Nichols Construction Team renovated the school facilities at St. Thomas More Church, creating Mary Cariola’s East Avenue campus, which they moved into in 2021. Our commitment to giving doesn’t stop there. We invite you—our friends, family, customers, associates, business partners and the Cariola community—to join us for a special fundraiser in support of Mary Cariola Center. Help us kick off this year’s Walking on Sunshine event and celebrate the great work being done at Mary Cariola Center. There will be raffles, live music, refreshment specials, and lots of fun at Lovin’ Cup. Our goal is to raise $25,000 for the students and residents at Mary Cariola. Please join us. For more information visit:marycariola.org/events/walkkickoff | |  | | | | |  | | |  | Last week was filled with excitement and joy across campus as we honored the Class of 2025. On Friday, we hosted two heartwarming preschool graduation ceremonies, followed by a meaningful School Age Program evening ceremony at Nazareth University. Our Preschool Program celebrated forty-four young graduates, over half will be returning to their home school districts. We are also thrilled to welcome twelve of these preschoolers into our School Age Program this fall. In our School Age Program, we proudly said goodbye to fourteen graduates. Many have secured placements in a variety of adult day programs, and we could not be more proud of their accomplishments. Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Relive the joy and special moments in our Photo Gallery | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | Classroom Aide Zakiyyah Wearen. A team player in every sense of the word. “Kiyah” encourages students to participate in learning activities, while providing support as needed. Kiyah is always willing to help other classrooms and staff throughout the East Henrietta campus. Substitute Classroom Aide –Taleea Lee. Taleea comes to work with a happy attitude and a genuine love for our students. Her uplifting energy creates a positive atmosphere while her exceptional work ethic makes her an outstanding asset to the East Henrietta Campus. English Road Activities Coordinator Khanajah Jones. From creating engaging activities for our English Road residents, to ‘KJ’ actively supports residents and staff by planning monthly activities, sharing uplifting notes of praise, and fostering engagement. Her dedication and positivity leave a lasting impact on everyone she works with. Speech Language Pathologist Carly Vandegriff. “You may not find a more dedicated employee who has a true passion to make every school year better than the last.” For students and staff, Carly implements the ‘core word of the month,’ and playfully implements groups in pre-school classrooms to teach these concepts with exciting, innovative ideas. | | Don’t forget to watch our Employee of the Month featured on 13WHAM 6:00 PM newscast the third Thursday of each month…following the Bright Spot. | | | | | | Chase and his team of dedicated Physical Therapists have every reason to celebrate—he has achieved the incredible milestone of walking independently. Help others like Chase keep moving forward... you are one step away from a donation that will support more students and residents like Chase.
LEARN MORE AND DONATE | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
