THE SHADOW PROJECT

THE SHADOW PROJECT EXISTS TO MAKE LEARNING MORE ACCESSIBLE AND ENGAGING FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, SO THEY CAN ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. WE WORK WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO STRENGTHEN SKILLS, FOSTER AUTONOMY, AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POSITIVE SELF-IDENTITY FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING, ATTENTION, OR BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES, ESPECIALLY DYSLEXIA, ADHD, AUTISM AND TRAUMA. SINCE 2003, WE HAVE HELPED MORE THAN 20,000 CAPABLE STUDENTS DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SCHOOL AND LIFE SUCCESS, INCLUDING GOAL-SETTING, PERSEVERANCE, AND EMOTIONAL AWARENESS. WE SERVE STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE COMMUNITIES WHO FACE MULTIPLE COMPLEX BARRIERS TO SUCCESS, INCLUDING RACISM AND ABLEISM. (CONTINUED ON SCH O)WE ENVISION AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT NORMALIZES AND CELEBRATES LEARNING DIFFERENCES AND SUPPORTS EVERY STUDENT TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL. OUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDES EVIDENCE-BASED TOOLS AND STRATEGIES TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WITH LEARNING CHALLENGES. WE SUPPORT EDUCATORS IN INTEGRATING THESE RESOURCES INTO THEIR CURRICULA AND BUILDING THEIR SKILL SETS FOR PROVIDING TRAUMA-INFORMED, NEUROINCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS:WITH OREGON SCHOOLS STRUGGLING TO HELP STUDENTS RECOVER FROM DISRUPTED LEARNING DURING COVID, SHADOW PROJECT PROGRAMS HELPED 2,720 STUDENTS AT 69 SCHOOLS TO JOYFULLY TAKE OWNERSHIP OVER THEIR LEARNING. SHADOW PROJECT MENTORS PROVIDED 373 HOURS OF SUPPORT TO STUDENTS READING BELOW GRADE LEVEL, FUELING THEIR CONFIDENCE AND ENGAGEMENT IN SCHOOL. STUDENTS RECEIVED OVER 430 HOURS OF SENSORY AND BODY AWARENESS SUPPORT TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY AND ADVOCATE FOR THEIR REGULATION NEEDS. SHADOW PROJECT STAFF TRAINED 157 EDUCATORS IN TRAUMA-INFORMED, NEUROINCLUSIVE STRATEGIES TO INTEGRATE SENSORY AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT INTO SCHOOL ROUTINES. STUDENTS RECEIVED OVER 25,400 BOOKS, SENSORY TOOLS, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. TEACHERS USING OUR PROGRAMS REPORT THE IMPACT OF THESE SUPPORTS: 70% OF STUDENTS INCREASED SELF-MOTIVATION; 65% OF STUDENTS IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS IN MANAGING EMOTIONS; 60% OF STUDENTS SHOWED GREATER ENTHUSIASM FOR READING.

GOAL SETTING (2,410 STUDENTS IN 58 SCHOOLS):STUDENTS EARN EDUCATIONAL REINFORCERS (BOOKS, SENSORY TOOLS, SCHOOL/ART/WRITING SUPPLIES) TO CELEBRATE PROGRESS MADE TOWARD ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL GOALS THEY SET FOR THEMSELVES, SUCH AS READING FOR 15 MINUTES A DAY, TURNING IN HOMEWORK, OR IMPROVING ATTENDANCE. THIS TEACHES SELF-SUFFICIENCY, CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS, AND PERSEVERANCE, AND LEADS TO GREATER SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC CONFIDENCE.