Siskin Children's Institute

Siskin Children's Institute, a non-profit organization in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is an emerging leader in the field of early childhood special education. The Institute is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with special needs, their families and the professionals who touch their lives.

History

Siskin Children's Institute was founded in 1950 by Mose and Garrison Siskin, two Chattanooga businessmen who devoted their lives to helping people with disabilities.

Vision

The vision of Siskin Children's Institute is to lead the fields of early childhood development and special education to help build an inclusive society for children of all abilities.

Mission

The Institute is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children of all abilities through excellence in education, research, health care and outreach.

Education

Siskin Early Learning Centers provide a quality preschool education to children with and without disabilities, including children with developmental delays, cerebral palsy and autism spectrum conditions. All students learn and play side-by-side in an environment that celebrates the accomplishments of every child. The Institute will open the second Siskin Early Learning Center in August 2008. Located in East Brainerd, the new facility will offer similar programs as the Downtown center.

Outreach

The Siskin Center for Consulting, Training and Outreach shares disability information with families, college students and professionals through a dynamic array of programs. The center offers a lending library, community workshops, and training and consultation services for professionals in education, health care and related fields.

Health Care

Siskin Children's Institute and T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital are teaming up to open the Siskin Center for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Set to open in early 2009, it will be the region's only full-time clinic for assessment, diagnosis, intervention and treatment.

Research

Siskin Children's Institute strives to be on the cutting edge of education and therapy for children with disabilities. The Institute's research efforts are being led by Dr. Tom Buggey, who is the Endowed Siskin Children's Institute Chair of Excellence at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Set to open in 2009, the Siskin Center for Early Learning Research will feature two additional endowed researchers.

Special Events

Siskin Children's Institute holds [http://www.siskin.org/index.php?sid=61 two major annual fund-raising events] . StarNight, the Institute's biggest event, is a black-tie gala that features a major musical act. Past performers include LeAnn Rimes and Hootie and the Blowfish. StyleWorks, now in its 32nd year, is Chattanooga's premier fashion show held every spring.

Ways of Giving

365 Club Annual FundMose and Garrison Siskin founded the 365 Club in 1962 to give the Chattanooga community an opportunity to reach out to people in need. The 365 Club ignited a wave of community support by asking local residents to simply give a penny a day or more for the 365 days of the year. Click [http://www.siskin.org/index.php?p=form&s=8 here] for the online giving form.

Planned GiftsTo honor the founders of Siskin Children's Institute, our most prestigious giving club is The Mose and Garrison Siskin Society. The society recognizes benefactors who have remembered Siskin Children's Institute through their long-range plans with such gifts as a bequest, life insurance, trust arrangement or other estate-planning vehicle. For more information regarding gift planning, please call 423-648-1705.

Tribute and Memorial GiftsTribute and Memorial Gifts are a thoughtful way to memorialize a loved one or recognize a meaningful moment in someone's life by giving a gift to Siskin Children's Institute in honor of a special person. The Institute will send a personalized card to the family or person you designate. The amount of the gift is not indicated on the card. Every gift is tax-deductible, and the donor receives an acknowledgment for tax purposes. To designate a gift, visit the [http://www.siskin.org/index.php?p=form&s=8 online giving form] . Minimum online gift is $25.

Book DedicationsA Book Dedication is appropriate for a variety of occasions and always holds special meaning for the recipient. These gifts allow you to honor someone while also helping to build the collection of books in the Institute's libraries. Each book dedicated to someone includes a special bookplate recognizing the honoree, and the Institute will send a personalized card to the person you designate. [http://www.siskin.org/index.php?p=form&s=8 Minimum online gift] is $25.

References

Siskin Children's Institute

External links

* [http://www.siskin.org Siskin Children's Institute Website]