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SPECIAL REPORT
FSU WELCOMES THE SCOTTISH RITE CLINIC
August 2, 2006
marks a special day for all Scottish Rite Masons. FSU, in a
special affiliation ceremony, welcomed the Scottish Rite as
we opened our 14th clinic.
Florida State
University has long sought a relationship with our Scottish
Rite Clinics. They are aware of the work that we do in
communications for young people. On August 2, 2006, this
finally came to pass. Dr. Juliann Woods, Professor and
Director of Clinical Education for the Department of
Language Disorders of Florida State University welcomed
everyone to this special ceremony. SGIG Robert L.
Goldsmith, as President of the Foundation made opening
introductions and comments.
Clinical
Education teachers were introduced and their “Just for Kids”
program plans were discussed.
The Scottish Rite
Foundation made an initial donation of $20,000 dollars to
get this clinic started. CBS affiliate interviewed SGIG,
Goldsmith and Ill. Keith Albright.
Among the
comments made were: “… we are very pleased to be joining
the Scottish Rite Foundation’s family of speech and hearing
clinic affiliates”,
“…will allow us
to expand our services to more children”
“…will provide
development of knowledge and skills for graduate students in
this area”
As promised our
Scottish Rite Foundation is stepping into the future with
aggressive plans to help the children of Florida who have
communication problems. These young children need our help
to develop their skills and to become adults who can and
will be productive in our society. We appreciate the help
of Scottish Rite Masons, friends, and companies who assist
us in this effort. To be on the cutting edge we need to be
sure the clinics are well funded and our donations and fund
raisers are designed to achieve this end. Your support is
appreciated.
SCOTTISH RITE MASONS HELPING CHILDREN
COMMUINICATE
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Courtesy of Tallahassee Democrat
Article published Aug 3, 2006
FSU speech and hearing clinic awarded $20,000
Civic group pledges future endowment totaling $500,000
By Diane Hirth
DEMOCRAT SENIOR WRITER
Jennifer Koch's daughter Karen Moore lost her hearing at age 3
and a half and was deaf for a year before receiving a cochlear
implant in one ear.
In her year without sound, the little girl regressed to a
16-month-old's language level.
However, with the help of auditory therapy at Florida State
University's L.L. Schendel Speech and Hearing Clinic, the
8-year-old has been catching up. She will be in a regular
second-grade class this fall at W.T. Moore Elementary School. "I
love my clinic," Koch said.
The clinic on FSU's campus received a $20,000 check Wednesday
from the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida. The money will be
used to increase the number of area children with speech,
language and hearing disorders who are diagnosed and treated.
The Scottish Rite Foundation's commitment to the FSU clinic goes
beyond the one-time contribution. "When we come, we come to
support this forever," said Robert Goldsmith of Jacksonville,
Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida president.
His group will raise money for a $500,000 endowment to support
the clinic's work with children in Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla
counties. With adoption of the FSU clinic, the Scottish Rite
Foundation will be associated with 14 such clinics in Florida.
Stephen Berry of Tallahassee, who is associated with the
foundation, said, "It's a dream of ours" to support the clinic's
work with children.
Part of FSU's Department of Communication Disorders, the clinic
is a teaching and research tool in addition to a service for
about 300 children and adults a year. About 18 faculty, 75
undergraduates and 100 master's and Ph.D. students are in the
department. The clinic also works with schools, health care
facilities and private clinicians.
While some clients pay through their private insurance or
programs like Medicaid, "We also provide services at low or no
cost," said clinic Director Juliann Woods. Thanks to the $20,000
gift, "That's where we're able to expand," she said.
"There's a critical link between language skills and reading and
ultimately school success," Woods said.
One goal of the clinic is to create summer camps for children
with communication disorders.
"I hope to create an autism camp," graduate student Nikki
Greenwald said.
Florida State University's L.L. Schendel Speech and Hearing
Clinic provides diagnostic and therapy services for children and
adults with speech and hearing disorders. Call 644-2238 or see
http://speechandhearing clinic.fsu.edu for more information.
Fees are charged only to clients with the ability to pay.
To contribute to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida
endowment fund for the clinic, call Robert Goldsmith at (904)
378-8957.
Contact Diane Hirth at (850) 671-6546 or
dhirth@tallahassee.com
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