The RILEY Project

Happy Thanksgiving! This year, I am feeling grateful for all of the partners that I work with through Compass High School Bay Area and The RILEY Project . From Children's Health Council, The Parent Venture, REEL (Resilience and Engagement for Every Learner), Changing Perspectives, Winston Preparatory School, Morrissey Compton Digital Promise,AbilityPath, Notre Dame de Namur University, Child Mind Institute, National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) and Understood.org it is an honor to work with organizations that are making a big difference in how students and adults are treated and supported across the lifespan. Barbara Pape Charlene Scholtes Margot Callie Turk Cindy Lopez Doug Killin Samuel Drazin Jacqueline Rodriguez David Flink Diane Gutierrez

Support The RILEY Project this Giving Tuesday.

?? Giving Tuesday is Just One Week Away! ?? On Tuesday, December 3rd, The RILEY Project will be part of the global movement to give back, and we’re aiming to raise $5,000 to amplify neurodiverse voices and create meaningful change. This year, we’ve connected with thousands through our newsletter, social media, and partnerships like the Neurodiversity Education Series with Parent Venture, Compass High School, and REEL2E. Together, we’ve witnessed the incredible power of storytelling, advocacy, and community. Your support can make all the difference. Contributions will fund: ?? Storytelling Groups: Empowering neurodiverse individuals to share their journeys. ?? Support Groups Facilitated by licensed therapists, empowering high school students with self-awareness and advocacy skills. Creating communities of belonging and resilience for neurodiverse teens. Here’s how you can help: ? Save the Date: December 3rd is Giving Tuesday! ? Spread the Word: Share this post to help us reach more people. ? Donate: Every dollar amplifies neurodiverse voices and creates a more inclusive world. Together, we can ensure that every voice is heard and every story sparks change. Let’s make this Giving Tuesday our most impactful yet! To donate, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gfri_UB2 #GivingTuesday #Neurodiversity #Storytelling #Advocacy #SupportTheRILEYProject

THIS WEEK! The Neurodiversity Education Series presents "Thinking Differently about the 'Social' Uses of Media for Neurodivergent Youth" with Meryl Alper, PhD, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Northeastern University Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event (Live) Register: https://ow.ly/zINR50U8IVz Dr. Meryl Alper, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Northeastern University and author of Kids Across the Spectrums: Growing Up Autistic in the Digital Age, will discuss the “social” aspects of media for neurodivergent youth. Parents/caregivers, educators, health professionals, and community members welcome! Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission. The Neurodiversity Education Series is presented by The Parent Venture, Children's Health Council, Compass High School Bay Area, REEL (Resilience and Engagement for Every Learner), and The RILEY Project , with major funding from the Sequoia Healthcare District. For more information, please visit https://ow.ly/jqCn50U8IVE, or contact Charlene Margot, MEd, Co-Founder and CEO, The Parent Venture, at [email protected]. Bev Hartman Riley Mulcahy Meryl Alper Callie Turk Cindy Lopez Amanda Morin Samuel Drazin Olenka Steciw Villarreal Eric Endlich, Ph.D. Elizabeth C. Hamblet Nicole Ofiesh #parenteducation #parenting #neurodiversity #neurodivergence #socialmedia #technology #inclusion #neurodivergent #media #autism #ADHD #dyslexia #dyscalculia #dysgraphia

?? Calling all innovators! AI is opening new possibilities for learners with learning differences, offering tools and personalized approaches that were previously unimaginable. However, technology advances also demand a renewed emphasis on equity, accessibility, and inclusive design. Proud that the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, in collaboration with Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) - the leading organization behind Universal Design for Learning, and the Children's Health Council will be hosting a hackathon on AI+Learning Differences. Join an incredible gathering of technologists, educators, students, families, researchers, and innovators for a full-day, hands-on event dedicated to creating solutions that support diverse learning needs. This hackathon will bring together participants to collaborate and prototype cutting-edge tools and applications that empower learners with differences and intellectual disabilities. Whether you’re passionate about technology, education, or making a positive impact, this is your chance to turn ideas into action. Be a part of this groundbreaking event—let’s build a more inclusive future for education. ?? AI+Learning Differences Hackathon: New Horizons, New Solutions ?? Dec 7, 2024 all day on Stanford campus ?? https://lnkd.in/g3GEpcbR

Hello from the Big Apple! ???? Last weekend, our amazing student leaders took on NYC for our 2024 Leadership Summit! ??? 25 incredible students and alumni joined forces with 20 senior ambassadors and staff to foster leadership, advocacy, and communication skills. This gathering of neurodiverse high school students, college students, and young professionals was all about connection, growth, and the strength of our community. The Future is Neurodiverse! #TheNDAlliance #ADHD #dyslexia #neurodiversity

Be part of a hands-on event bringing together students, educators, and innovators to create solutions for diverse learning needs. Collaborate with 200 participants to develop tools that empower learners of all abilities. Let’s harness AI to make education more inclusive for everyone! ?? Nov 16-17 | Stanford University Learn more or register: https://ow.ly/yJX950U1P1L #Hackathon #InclusiveInnovation #AI #LearningDifferences

?? Building a movement takes time. Securing the funding to fuel that movement takes even more. As I’ve grown in my career, the question I keep asking is: How do we make a real, lasting impact? We need more than quick solutions or momentary awareness. We need to build capacity for sustainable change. In the neurodiversity space, this means empowering social entrepreneurs, supporting specialized schools, and fostering collaboration over competition. ?? How do we get there? By prioritizing projects like the Neurodiversity Education Series—a collaborative initiative that equips parents with the tools to support neurodivergent individuals. This kind of work can only happen when philanthropy embraces inclusion, not just in a siloed way, but through a more expansive lens that considers disability, inclusion, and belonging as a whole. This isn’t a criticism of funders—it’s a call for deeper inclusion and more equitable funding models. Together, we can create a philanthropic landscape that truly embraces diversity in all its forms. ?? If you’re ready to explore how we can build a more inclusive future for neurodiversity and disability, let’s connect. I’d love to collaborate on solutions that move beyond short-term fixes and toward lasting impact. #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #DisabilityAwareness #Philanthropy #Collaboration #CapacityBuilding #Leadership #SocialImpact

“Our daughter is now blossoming and thriving. The long road we had to take to get her to Winston Prep was worth every tear, every sleepless night, and every penny spent on lawyers and advocates. This is where she belongs: academically, socially, and emotionally.” – Winston Prep Parent We are proud to have Winston Preparatory School supporting The RILEY Project! Their specialized programs for students with learning differences, including ADHD, dyslexia, and NVLD, provide the right environment for students to flourish. Learn more about Winston Prep’s individualized approach and their Transitions program for young adults who need more time to launch into success after high school: Link: https://lnkd.in/g62hrhYc Learn more about The RILEY Project and consider sponsoring our work to empower neurodivergent individuals through storytelling and community. Learn more and get involved: https://lnkd.in/gTYF7PTy #WinstonPrep #LearningDifferences #Neurodiversity #ADHD #Dyslexia #SpecialEducation #InclusiveEducation #StudentSuccess #TheRILEYProject

Here's a look at some of the SF Bay Area schools that support neurodivergent students -- They will be available to talk with you at the Inclusive Schools Group Admissions Fair this Friday, Nov. 8th at Noon! Register for free here:?https://lnkd.in/dTZ-ef6C