Ross’ Story

Ross, a former student at SCO’s Westbrook Preparatory School, is a motivated and engaging young man who has Asperger syndrome. “I’m actually different from many people with Asperger’s in that I’m a very social guy,” says Ross. “On the other hand, sometimes I am unaware of other people’s feelings. I can be impulsive, and I do get overwhelmed. ”

Ross had difficulty adapting at his previous public school due to these challenges. However, Westbrook’s residential school setting gave Ross the opportunity to work on his social skills and develop strategies to help him avoid feeling overwhelmed.

One key element of life at Westbrook is the internship program. While students find comfort and build confidence living and learning with other teens who have similar challenges, they know that they need to prepare themselves to communicate and work well with all kinds of people. Ross’s first internship was at Sports Authority, and he held another at St. Brigid’s Elementary School Camp where he found talking with children about sports very rewarding.

His interest in sports led Ross to his next internship at WCWP 88.1 FM, the college radio station at CW Post. He ran the audio control sound board at sporting events, made guest appearances on a college sports talk show and researched sports information for use on air. He enjoyed his experience so much that he decided to study communications in college.

2014 Art Auction A Great Success

The 4th Annual SCO Family Dynamics Art Auction was a huge success! Thanks to our wonderful supporters and all the artists who donated their work, last night’s benefit raised a record amount and will help us to expand after-school arts programming in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick and Brownsville. Thanks, everyone!

4th Annual SCO Family Dynamics Art Auction A Great Success

The 4th Annual SCO/Family Dynamics Art Auction on April 28th was the most successful yet, raising funds to support and expand the after-school art program for children at MS 35 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. 

“New Knowledge,” a painting featuring the neon palate and wildly inventive architecture of Williamsburg artist Erik Parker, won the largest bid. The benefit, held at Site 109 on the Lower East Side, drew 200 attendees who participated in a live and silent auction including works by artists Robert Szot, Ron Diorio Ron Agam, Ryan Keeley, Jim Plunkett and Dan Rizzie, all of whom donated their work. The children in the art program created and donated “Carousel Horse Collage” representing one of the horses on Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. 

“We are very grateful to everyone who supports our programs,” said SCO Executive Director Gail Nayowith. “Thanks to all of you, our children at Family Dynamics are getting a rich exposure to creativity, a critical doorway to dreaming and self-expression.” According to a recent report by Comptroller Scott Stringer, 28% of  public schools lack an art teacher – and half those schools are in Central Brooklyn and the South Bronx. 

Erik Parker was this year’s Honorary Chair; previous honorary chairs for the Auction have included Julian Schnabel in 2011, Dustin Yellin in 2012 and Donald Sultan in 2013.  The event was co-chaired by Jeremy FitzGerald and Joni Grossman.

Family Dynamics, a program of SCO Family of Services, is committed to protecting children and strengthening families. Based in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, and Brownsville, Brooklyn, Family Dynamics annually reaches 7,000 children, youth and adults with after-school & summer school activities, workforce readiness, family support services and the arts. Some 100 students now attend the after-school art program and Family Dynamics plans to expand the number served by 75 in the next school year. 

About Our Visiting Artist Program

Declan’s Forever Family

"Adopting Declan was life-changing. You felt the ground shift." Learn More

Ross’ Story

Westbrook Preparatory School

“I’m actually different from many people with Asperger’s in that I’m a very social guy” Learn More

99%

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