Our Language Clinics Julie Birrer, Worthy Grand Matron and Charles "Chuck"
Realing, Worthy Grand Patron of Grand Chapter of Wyoming Order of the Eastern Star, present check to Robert Schrader,
President of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Wyoming for the three Childhood Language Clinics.
In
the early 1950s in Colorado, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States
initiated a program to help children with speech and language disorders. The results obtained from this program
led to the establishment of RiteCare clinics to provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment of speech and language
disorders, as well as learning disabilities.
Today, there are 170 RiteCare
clinics, centers, and special programs operating or planned for children and therapists located throughout the
United States. Each facility is staffed by speech-language pathologists or other trained personnel. Through the
support of Scottish Rite members, these clinics, centers, and programs continue to increase. The value of this
philanthropy has long been apparent. Tens of thousands of youngsters across the United States have been helped
significantly. With the good work of dedicated clinicians and parents, the Scottish Rite has achieved successes
that could only be imagined a few years back. Children who might have remained educationally handicapped for a
lifetime can now talk, read, and lead useful lives.The RiteCare Clinics accept
preschool children who have difficult speaking or understanding the spoken word or school-age children who have
difficulty learning to read.Founded in 1990, the first Scottish
Rite Childhood Language Clinic of Wyoming was founded in Cheyenne, followed by a clinic in Sheridan and recently,
one in Rock Springs. The Cheyenne Clinic served over 800 children from Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska with speech,
language, hearing, reading, and learning disabilities. The other two clinics are trying to catch up.Since its beginning, the Clinic
has provided services to children 0-18 years of age, free of charge, regardless of the level or ability
of the child, the child's gender, race, or any other distinction.It is the philosophy of the
Scottish Rite Masons that this service will be available to ALL children who need it. The clinic is a private,
nonprofit foundations, funded entirely by the donations from Wyoming Masons and other generous Wyoming citizens
and organizations.There are three language clinics
in Wyoming and the Director Speech Language Pathologists are: Cindy Anderson in Cheyenne, Beverly Kenik in Sheridan
and Ramona Beach in Rocks Springs.The clinics depend upon donations
from both Masons and non-Masons to provide services. Your donation would be greatly appreciated! Send
to Scottish Rite Foundation of Wyoming, 1820 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY. 82001.