Daughters of Wisdom Awards $10,000 Grant to Martin De Porres School for Exceptional Children

The Daughters of Wisdom has awarded a $10,000 Wisdom Fund Grant to Martin De Porres School for Exceptional Children in Elmont, NY. Martin De Porres School educates children who are experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges. This grant supports the Girls’ Groups at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The Girls’ Groups are dedicated to improving the self-esteem and confidence of participants and include activities and discussions on topics related to self-care, friendships, appropriate use of technology, respect for self and others, relationships, and more. 

During a recent interview at Martin De Porres School, Joseph Trainor, Executive Director of the school, reported on the projects that this grant funds. For example, he said, girls ages 7-15 have been making friendship bracelets, arts and crafts, including painting, and doing group work that helps build skills in frustration tolerance and conflict resolution. All of the materials for this are funded by the Daughters of Wisdom Grant. The grant also funds group projects by the high school girls in which they present information on breast cancer awareness during their lunch periods. This helps build communication skills and self-confidence. In addition, the grant funds a Tea Party event at the end of the school year, in which girls in 7th grade, 8th grade, and high school dress up and enjoy an elegant luncheon, which helps emphasize self-worth and self-care. 

“Social-emotional learning has lagged behind more traditional academic modalities. The Daughters of Wisdom grant has supported us for years in developing programs for young women for social-emotional learning,” explained Mr. Trainor. He added, “The COVID pandemic exposed the need for social-emotional learning in schools, and the Daughters of Wisdom have been well ahead of the curve in supporting that need.” 

This grant aligns with the Daughters of Wisdom mission to reach out to people experiencing injustice, poverty and social marginalization, especially women and children.  

This is a second-year grant, and it was endorsed by Sr. Evelyn Lamoreux 

Students from the Girls’ Group participating in the Tea Party that is funded by the Daughters of Wisdom Grant. The Tea Party helps encourage self-esteem and self-care in the students of the Girls’ Group. 

Students from the Girls’ Group pose for a group photo during the Tea Party that is funded by the Daughters of Wisdom Grant.  

Students in the Girls’ Group at Martin De Porres School engaged in a painting activity. 

Painting helps the students in the Girls’ Group as a form of art therapy and self-expression.