We are happy to be able to highlight the recent work of ANDRUS - an organization that provides trauma-informed care to over 4,500 children and their families with a broad spectrum of preventive and restorative services. Teachers transitioned 152 special education students from The Orchard School to a distance-learning platform in a matter of weeks. Those students come from 98 zip codes in the tristate area and upstate New York. At the same time, children and families, together with Family Support Specialists, therapists, and outreach staff who typically meet one-to-one, learned how to engage each other meaningfully through televisiting. With a staff of nearly 500, ANDRUS quickly developed protocols to keep essential staff safe and manage others who are telecommuting for the first time.

Like many other nonprofits, families now have more challenges than ever finding food, paying rent, and getting the technology to stay connected to programs. ANDRUS is working with local foundations like The Community Fund of Bronxville Eastchester Tuckahoe, Children’s Hope Chest, and the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, and others to meet their needs.

The mission of ANDRUS is to nurture social and emotional well-being in children, families, and communities by delivering a broad range of vital services and by providing research, training, and innovative program models that promote the standard of excellence for professional performance in and beyond our service community. For more information, check out their Facebook and Instagram pages or their website: andruscc.org.