Sangha Education Center has made such a huge impact on the life of my son and our entire family! Our son’s learning and social challenges had taken a toll on his self-esteem. But once we discovered Sangha, our son immediately felt at “home”. He had found a place where he had a sense of belonging and felt valued and accepted. The varied interactive events and activities Sangha hosted increased our son’s opportunities to socialize, have fun, learn experientially and demonstrate his knowledge. His experiences with Sangha have helped our son grow into a confident and poised young man with a restored belief in his abilities and his future. Sangha’s founder, Christine Keller, is beyond wonderful; she is knowledgeable, nurturing, caring and a great support to the whole family. Thanks to Sangha and Christine, our son has made great strides, and a lifetime connection with a wonderful organization.
—R.P.
I really love working with Sabrina in the Civic Mentoring Program. I feel like it has helped me so much with my self-confidence and self-esteem issues. The program has given me a new perspective on life. My work with Sabrina has also helped me to develop stronger bonds with others while working on various projects in the program together with her and the other mentors. I hope to continue participating in the Civic Mentoring Program throughout high school as I feel like it will help me to become a better person in society and in keeping up with others.”
— M.V. (Student)
The Civic Mentoring Program at Sangha Education Center has really helped my son with his coping mechanisms both in terms of social awareness and working with others towards a common goal. Christine works with the mentors to set up clear cut goals which they then incorporate into the particular project they are working on with my son. He really enjoys and looks forward to the days when he works with his Civic Mentor, Sabrina.
— M.V.’s Parent
Love, support, community, and education are only a few words that come to mind when thinking of Sangha Education Center. Our 18 year old daughter Brooke has participated in this program for several years.
Looking for support for a child with Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety can be extremely overwhelming and frustrating. Throughout the years, Brooke has participated in many different types of therapies and social groups. Sangha is a unique organization that takes an amazing approach to helping kids and young adults. Christine Keller who runs Sangha Education Center is an innovative and compassionate person who has built a network of caring and effective participants and community partners.
Nature based initiatives, youth and diversity councils, and civic mentoring are all part of the support and assistance that comes with this program. Individualized goals and a path to achieve them have been created with Brooke. Her mentor Kate helps build on her strengths and passions while assisting in overcoming and dealing with obstacles.
We are very grateful to be involved with such a wonderful organization. It is reassuring that Sangha will continue to help Brooke succeed and find happiness on her journey.
– C.L.
The Community Support Group has been a gift to my family. Led by Christine Keller, it is a remarkable positive resource that enables parents and children to share, learn and grow effectively. I attend regular meetings where parents discuss topics relating to behavioral, educational, and other concerns. Having a child who has emotional difficulties can make a family feel alone, isolated and ashamed. The Community Support Group offers access to trained professionals and to enlightened peers who share hardships and more importantly, the joy of successes. Hearing each family’s story helps me to develop skills and attitudes to nurture my child more positively and effectively. The Community Support Group has enabled me to leverage resources, including learning how to be an advocate for my child with our school district. The group empowers and motivates me and assures me that I am not alone. Our family is fortunate for Christine and the Community Support Group, whose warmth and concern reinforces our steadfast resolve to envision and create a more positive future.
—J.A.
The support of the Sangha has been an invaluable resource to our family, helping us navigate through a school system that was new to us. They worked with us to identify services that would benefit our child and stood beside us as we went through the process of having these services implemented. Their positive and upbeat attitude was so appreciated in dealing with, what could have been a very frustrating experience. I would highly recommend using Sangha’s services, to facilitate bringing out the best in your child.
—S.S.
Being the parent of a child with special needs, life can be quite sad and full of challenges. It can also be funny, because for so many years I spent so much time and money in search of help. Little did I know, in my own backyard nestled in North Bellmore, I was lucky to happen upon the help we needed through Project Stewardship along with the marvelous Community Support Group. Project Stewardship was probably the most beneficial socialization experience for my son that I could ever hope for. He had fun, he gained knowledge, he gained independence, and self-esteem. As for myself, the Community Support Group for the parents became invaluable. Unlike some support groups that are gripe sessions, this support group, facilitated by professionals, gives you the tool-set to fix your problem not just talk about them. Anyone seeking support and a wholesome environment in which your child could feel valued and give back to the community must check out these programs.
—H.J.
My introduction to Christine Keller was initially through The Children’s Sangha in 2006. My 7 & 9 year old children attended a very interesting program. It was a multi-sensory, character education and skills development program. They learned through stories, discussion and activities. One of the memorable things they learned about was dreaming and how to actively, consciously participate in their dreams.
In 2012, my son was a sophomore in high school. He is Twice Exceptional: Gifted with ADHD. Though he never struggled with learning, he did struggle with executive function skills. Christine Keller connected us with a mentor who was a college student aspiring to be a school principal. The mentor and my son developed a mutually beneficial relationship. The two spent many hours discussing and implementing organizational and study strategies. Through trial and error they found better ways for my son to keep things in order. They went to Staples together and thoughtfully selected supplies that my son used from that day forward. It was a very positive and fruitful experience for both mentee and mentor. My son is very happy and doing exceptionally well academically in his second semester at UMass Amherst.
In 2014, my 15 year old daughter attended a Project Stewardship Outing at SUNY Old Westbury. It was a telethon being broadcast live in front of a studio audience, which we were part of. The broadcast was done in the studio on campus where the monitors, cameras, equipment and technicians were impressive. This was a wonderful opportunity for my daughter to be exposed to what is actually behind the scenes, as well as a college campus. My daughter is then enrolled in the Video and Film Production course at Wilson Tech in Dix Hills. She spent mornings learning about video and film production and afternoons at her high school. She would like to have the opportunity to go back to SUNY Old Westbury to learn even more about video and film production.
Last but not least, fast forward to 2019, my daughter is now a Civic Mentor-in-training at Sangha Education Center, working with program participants on projects and guiding them so that they may increase self-confidence, knowledge and gain the direction they need to be happy and successful.
—M.M.