Making an impact in our community, one step at a time.

The Aronson Foundation's Jack Koniszewski, Jeffery Capron and Larry Davis recently presented its fourth $10,000 grant to Hearts and Home for Youth (HHY) of Silver Spring, Md. in support of the Therapeutic Recreation Program at the Caithness Shelter Home for runaway and homeless youth. "Every single day in the lives of the troubled children we serve is precious. The Aronson Foundation has invested literally thousands of those days for hundreds of children; a most generous commitment to their lives, their futures - and a return on investment beyond measure," commented Rex Smith, President and CEO of Hearts & Homes.

Aronson & Company's Jeffery P. Capron and Robert S. Bender recently awarded a $4,000 grant to The Treatment and Learning Centers (TLC) of Rockville, Md. to help fund the purchase of scanners for the Katherine Thomas School’s classrooms, benefiting students with autism and learning disabilities. This is the second grant to TLC in the Foundation’s four-year history, the prior disbursement given in 2007. “We are so grateful for the continued partnership between Aronson Foundation and TLC’s Katherine Thomas School. Aronson Foundation’s most recent investment in technology for our classrooms will enable our students to engage in more interactive learning experiences that are critical to their success in school, at home and in their communities,” remarked Debbie Ezrin, CFRE, Director of Development, The Treatment and Learning Centers.

Aronson & Company's Jeffery P. Capron and Robert S. Bender recently granted $5,000 to Northern Virginia’s Emerging Scholars Program. The mission of Emerging Scholars Program (ESP) is to provide an academic, cultural, and social enrichment program for a diverse group of students who, without preparation and financial assistance, could not consider an independent school education. ESP offers bright boys and girls the opportunity to earn a place in some of the best independent schools in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Emerging Scholars Program Executive Director Alvarez LeCesne shares his excitement and gratitude for the support of Aronson & Company and the Aronson Foundation, “ESP students and staff are honored and proud to be selected recipients of this generous grant from Aronson & Company and the Aronson Foundation. We are grateful that the Aronson community is committed to ensuring that boys and girls from low-income families have access to top educational and scholarship opportunities. Our graduates will be among tomorrow’s leaders. We thank them for their trust and support.”

Marcia D. Smith School accepted a $10,000 grant from Aronson & Company's Robert S. Bender in support of their educational services for children with autism and mental retardation. The mission of the school is to provide non-diploma, non-graded education with an emphasis on life skills, vocational training, and functional academics. "The grant from Aronson Foundation furthers the expansion of the CSS Resource Center, allowing the Marcia D. Smith School to expand capacity to provide needed educational services to students with autism and other severe developmental disabilities," said Susan Ingram, Executive Director of the Marcia D. Smith School.

Adrienne Cole, of Aronson & Company, presented a $3,500 check to Children’s National Medical Center of Washington, DC.  The gift, raised from and by Aronson & Company staffers, has been earmarked for books and other reading materials for the young patients. "We are so grateful for the continued support of companies like Aronson," said Julie Hudtloff, associate director of Volunteer Services at Children’s National.  "A new book often puts a smile on a child’s face, and this gift will go a long way in helping to boost the spirits of hundreds of patients and their families."

Homestretch accepted a $5,000 grant from the Aronson Foundation's Lisa Cines and Jeffery Capron in support of their enrichment program for homeless children and teenagers. The mission of Homestretch is to empower homeless families with children in Northern Virginia to attain stable housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills, knowledge, and hope they need to become productive participants in the community.  "This grant from Aronson and Company helps us to break the cycle of poverty and crisis that led to homelessness in the lives of these families, and provides us with the means to work closely with the children to ensure that they have everything that any other child has - school supplies, tutors, computers to do their homework, after school programs, adult mentors," remarked Christopher Fay, Executive Director of Homestretch.  "Our objective is to see that the children have every opportunity to succeed, regardless of the problems that have affected the family in the past."

Hearts & Homes for Youth (HHY) accepted a $10,000 grant from the Aronson Foundation's Lisa Cines and Jeffery Capron in support of the Therapeutic Recreation Program at the Caithness Shelter Home for runaway and homeless youth.  "Hearts & Homes for Youth owes its rich history to a host of community and corporate leaders such as the Aronson Foundation, who share and invest in our vision," noted Rex Smith, President and CEO of Hearts & Homes.  "Aronson's willingness to lend its reputation within the corporate community to our mission enhances our own well-earned integrity and credibility.  And in doing so, others are attracted to join our cause."

The Musical Theater Center accepted a $10,000 grant from the Aronson Foundation's Lisa Cines in support of its educational programs, including their educational outreach and scholarship programs.  "The Musical Theater Center is very grateful to the Aronson Foundation for awarding this grant in support of our educational programs for young people," commented Rex Bickmore, Executive Director of the Musical Theater Center.  "These funds will help make the continuation of these important programs possible.  Each year our programs serve over 1800 children in our community, including over 700 in outreach programs with schools and service organizations."

Renee Bissinger and Adrienne Cole, of Aronson & Company, present Children’s National Medical Center of Washington, D.C. with 100 Activity Bags, full of items collected to help new patients acclimate to their surroundings and take their mind off of the burden of their illness for a little while.  Aronson & Company employees and their guests assembled the activity bags during their recent "Winter Shindig" holiday event.  Along with the activity bags, Aronson also donated $2,000, reflecting proceeds from Aronson’s holiday card drive.  "As one of the top children’s hospitals in the country, Children’s National Medical Center treats thousands of children each year," said Terry Orzechowski, director of Volunteer and Consumer Support Services at Children’s. "The generosity of companies like Aronson & Company makes time in the hospital more manageable for our patients - and their families.

Building Bridges Across the River accepted a $10,000 grant from the Aronson Foundation's Lisa Cines and Jeffery Capron in support of its new summer program for DC youth at the Town Hall Education Arts & Recreation Campus (THEARC), a facility dedicated to furthering the lives of children in Washington’s most underserved neighborhoods.  "Financial and moral support from the community is an important part of the success of our programs," remarked W.T. Skip McMahon, Executive Director, Building Bridges Across the River.  "We are grateful to the Aronson Foundation for providing both funding and encouragement for such an important program."

George A. Jones, Executive Director for Bread for the City accepted a $10,000 grant from the Aronson Foundation's Lisa Cines and Stephen White in support of its Families at Risk Project, a program which offers free medical care, legal advice and representation, comprehensive social services, food and clothing to families living in poverty in Washington, DC.  "We feel very lucky to have the support of private organizations like the Aronson Foundation," remarked Jones. "This grant will help us reach more families and affect positive change in the lives of many individuals."

Representatives from the Fairfax County Park Foundation accepted a $10,000 grant from the Aronson Foundation's Lisa Cines and Craig Stevens  in support of its Bright Futures program, a campaign to provide 1,000 at-risk kids in Fairfax County with scholarships to summer camp.  "This grant from the Aronson Foundation will have a significant impact on our ability to provide this much-needed program," remarked Robert Brennan, Director, Fairfax County Park Foundation. "Without the help of the community, we wouldn’t be able to create such a difference for these children."

Representatives from the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund accepted a $5,000 grant from the Aronson Foundation's Lisa Cines and Stephen White in support of its efforts to build educational and career opportunities for Washington, D.C. students.  Since its inception in 1996, The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund has helped send nearly 750 DC public high school students to college and move toward a more positive and enriched future.  "We are grateful for the support of the community and organizations like the Aronson Foundation," remarked Susie Kay, President and Founder of Hoop Dreams.  "This grant will help us to continue to provide a bright future for so many of the area’s young people."

Stephen White, Renee Bissinger, Lisa Cines, and Jennifer Glinski, of Aronson & Company, present Children’s National Medical Center of Washington, D.C. with 75 custom teddy bears for their young patients.  Aronson & Company staff members and their guests assembled the teddy bears at their annual holiday party. They selected special outfits and accessories and named the bears for the patients - bears were even delivered with custom birth certificates!  "We are grateful for the personalized gifts from the A&C staff," remarked Terry Orzechowski, Director of Children’s Volunteer Services. "The children will be thrilled to receive these gifts and our parents are touched by the gesture."

Lisa Cines presents a $10,000 check to Interages in support of its operation of the Montgomery County Intergenerational Resource Center through which it assists professionals and organizations develop intergenerational programs for their communities.  Barbara Newland, Executive Director, Interages, remarked, "This grant will help us achieve our mission and realize our vision for the future.  We appreciate that the Aronson Foundation has recognized the value of our programs to the children of the community."

Representatives from the Maryland Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch (MSYR), a foster home for boys 10-18 years of age in Buckeystown, MD, accept a $10,000 check from the Aronson Foundation’s Lisa Cines.  MSYR accepts residents referred by their local Department of Social Services. They come from families who have been troubled by drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness, poverty, incarceration, abandonment, abuse, neglect, or family crisis.  Remarked Richard Stone, Executive Director, MSYR, "The Ranch is contracted with the Departments of Human Resources/DSS and Health and Mental Hygiene.  These contracts provide for basic needs of our residents, but anything more than the bare essentials and any program enhancement funds have to be raised by the Ranch."  He continued, "Donations by individuals, groups, and companies such as Aronson make our program what it is today.  This grant will go toward the expenses of building an additional residential building which will house a maximum of 16 young men - 16 young men in need of a home."

Lisa Cines and Dorothy Ball of the Aronson Founcation present a check for $10,000 to representatives from the National Center for Children and Families (NCCF), a private, nonprofit agency with a 90-year commitment to serving families in the national capital area.  NCCF’s residential programs serve homeless families, victims of domestic violence and vulnerable adolescents. Other programs include treatment foster care, social services for family reunification, parenting education, independent living, and stabilizing families in the community.  Sheryl Brissett-Chapman, Ed.D, ACSW, Executive Director, NCCF, commented, "We appreciate the generosity and shared community vision of the Aronson Foundation.  We are excited by the Foundation’s recognition of our work and their willingness to partner with us in caring for vulnerable children and poor families. Our volunteers are a valuable resource in building relationships with our families, because they not only give of their time and talents, they also connect us to the financial resources that support our mission."

Representatives from the Community Ministry of Montgomery County (CMMC) accept a check for $10,000 from the Aronson Foundation’s Lisa Cines,  Craig Stevens, and Carole Carlson.  CMMC pursues social justice with an emphasis on identifying and meeting the needs of the poor by leading and engaging Montgomery County’s Faith communities in service, education, and advocacy.  CMMC’s outreach programs include: Congregation & Community Emergency Services, Education and Advocacy, Hand to Hand Eviction Prevention, Homeless Services- Shelters, Work and Lifeskills Programs, Transitional Housing, Interfaith Clothing Centers, Friends in Action, Mentoring and Family Support Services and the Interfaith Housing Coalition.  "We are grateful that the Aronson Foundation recognizes the importance of our "Welcome Baby" program, which serves our most vulnerable children - newborns," remarked Rebecca Wagner, Executive Director, CMMC.  "With this generous grant, 250 needy families and their new babies will receive assistance through our Centers."

The Aronson Foundation’s Lisa Cines and Larry Davis give a check for $10,000 to Hearts & Homes for Youth (HHY) in support of its efforts to help troubled children and youth who are abused, neglected or runaways, become independent, productive adults.  Since their incorporation in 1964, HHY has helped over 30,000 abused (emotional, sexual, and/or physical), neglected, runaway, abandoned, homeless, and at-risk youth. Some of the youth they help come directly to them from hospitals and even the streets, while others come from their very own homes where they are abused and neglected. HHY provides therapeutic programs that promote growth and healing, family reunification, and the development of life skills to help each youth reach his/her potential.  Commented Shirley Carozza, Chair of the HHY Board of Directors, "The Aronson Foundation has provided a much-needed boost to our organization through their grant."

The Aronson Foundation’s Lisa Cines and Bob Bender presents a $10,000 check to Sharon B. Raimo, Executive Director of St. Coletta of Greater Washington in support of its efforts to build a 99,000 square foot , state-of-the-art school facility in Southeast D.C. for children with cognitive disabilities.  Ms. Raimo remarked, "We are very grateful to the Aronson Foundation for their support.  The grant will go a long way in helping us to realize our vision."

Aronson & Company staffers get their hair cut for charity at O’HAIR Salon + Spa on June 16, 2004 to benefit children’s charity Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from medical hair loss.  Hair donors included 7 Aronson & Company staff members, 12 members of the community, and an additional 4 donations came from people who had previously cut lengths of 10 inches or more.  The youngest donor was a twelve year-old local girl.  Total physical donations weighed over 15 pounds and measured a combined 24 feet!  All proceeds from additional services (including charitable overpayments by attendees), which totaled over $1000, were also donated to Locks of Love as a supplement to the hair donations.  The Locks of Love donation event was the first program sponsored by the Aronson Foundation.

The Aronson Foundation’s Stephen White presents a check for $1,000 to Rachel Carson Elementary School’s Student Government Association to support their tsunami relief efforts.  The Gaithersburg, Md. school raised money for two charities dedicated to helping young victims of the disaster in Southeast Asia, Samaritan Home Relief and Smile On Wings.  Donated funds were used to purchase food, rice, blankets, medicines and clothes for the villagers. Lawrence Shep, Principal at Rachel Carson, commented, "We have been extremely proud of our student body and members of the community who have come through in this time of great need.  Their tireless efforts to raise donations have resulted in a great outpouring of financial support.  We are grateful to the Aronson Foundation for joining us in creating hope and goodwill for the sufferers of this disaster."