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Causes: Developmentally Disabled Centers, Disabilities, Human Services, Philanthropy, Private Independent Foundations
Mission: Committed to improving the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities so that they may live more independently and comfortably as they go to school, work, get involved in recreational activities or through volunteer work.
Programs: Family Support: The foundation provides grants to families living throughout our service area who are caring for a loved one with a developmental disability. These grants allow families to purchase equipment such as van lifts, in-home lift systems, orthopedic appliances, communication devices, recreational equipment, wheelchairs, special mattresses, therapeutic exercise equipment for which there are no other funding sources. We provide this equipment so families can stay together, and the individual can live more independently at home, work, school, recreational activities, or while volunteering in the community.Knights of Columbus/LAMB Foundation Scholarships: Designed to encourage individuals to pursue careers related to serving persons with developmental disabilities in the areas of health and human services. The goal of the scholarship program is to increase the number of Recreational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Psychologist, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Special Education Teachers, and Physical Therapist, etc., who are serving persons with developmental disabilities. Annually, the foundation awards $1,000 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in either a two or four-year degree program. Puppet Program: We are in the process of implementing a puppet program in the communities we serve. We are developing two programs, one for elementary age youth, and one for adolescents. The first is intended to prevent kids from developing stereotypes and negative perceptions of persons with developmental disabilities. The second is intended to correct the negative perceptions that many adolescents have already developed of individuals with developmental disabilities. Educational Materials: Designed specifically for young women and mothers who have limited educational skills and cognitive abilities. HomeGrown is a two-volume curriculum designed to prepare young women for labor and delivery and help them develop healthy parenting skills to better care for their young children. The Foundation obtained grants to produce these materials. Research: To date, the Foundation has funded $11,000 towards research projects designed to increase our knowledge and understanding of persons living with developmental disabilities. One program funded in Red Springs, NC was designed to develop reading skills in children with learning disabilities. Two grants were awarded to O'Berry Center physicians. One project measured the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medications on menstrual pain and discomfort for women with severe and profound mental retardation. The other investigated the effects of acupuncture on a group of individuals who were self- injurious.
The O’Berry Center Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the mission of which is to improve the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities.
For over 25 years this Foundation has had a significant impact throughout the 67 counties in North Carolina that it serves and although it is not an official component of the O'Berry Neuro-Medical Treatment Center in Goldsboro, the Foundation provides support to them as well.
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