Empowering Dreams
Founded on the belief that all children have innate greatness and deserve equitable opportunities, Watermark for Kids is dedicated to making an impact on kids’ lives. Since 2007, Watermark has awarded more than $1.5 million and helped thousands of kids ages 6-22.
Each Watermark community has a Watermark for Kids component. Last summer, The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights residents rallied together to support a young boy from Texas living with autism. James was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age two and is nonverbal and requires assistance with everyday activities.
"We believe this treatment can change his life "
- James’ mom, Laurie
His family had difficulty finding providers locally that would adequately treat their son. After doing extensive research, they found a treatment center in New York called The Melillo Center for Developing Minds that was exactly what they were looking for – a holistic approach with a broad spectrum of brain-related disorders, including autism spectrum disorder. With a therapy regimen focusing on brain development and stimulation, consisting of 20 sessions, the Melillo Center held the promise of a brighter future for James.
Due to the financial burden this kind of treatment brings, the family applied to Watermark for Kids for financial support. Residents of The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights sponsored the family’s stay and held fundraising events in conjunction with Watermark for Kids to cover the cost of treatment.
“Now that we’re home, we’ve got a pretty extensive home program that we’re doing with James that replicates a lot of what they were doing in the center. The idea of doing an intensive course is you can get a springboard effect where you’re going to get a greater progress gain, and then you can continue to build on that,” James’ mom, Laurie, said. “Our long-term goal is that James could function like a normal ten-year-old boy and go to school and play sports or learn an instrument. We believe this treatment can change his life and we’re so thankful to Watermark for Kids and Dr. Melillo for their part in his journey.”
About Watermark for Kids
Watermark for Kids is a nonprofit organization that reduces barriers and helps kids ages 6-22 access life-enhancing opportunities so they can thrive.
Interested in reading more stories from Watermark for Kids? Explore their website to learn about some of the amazing kids they’ve worked with and find out how you can play a part in crafting a brighter tomorrow for children, just like James.
