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OTTO SPECHT SCHOOL AND ENDEAVOR 21 A PLACE TO CALL HOME A CENTER OF ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES A CAMPAIGN FOR THE FUTURE

Beyond Four Walls At the Otto Specht School we work to discover each child s path to lifelong learning offering a variety of educational programs designed to meet the needs of students with developmental delays social and sensory sensitivities and learning challenges We have looked beyond both typical and special educational models to provide an extraordinary education to those who need it most

Our Story What began as a response to the needs of one child is developing into a new model of education for students whose learning needs do not conform to traditional educational models Inspiration The Otto Specht School began in 2005 with a mission to meet the needs of a single child whose challenges with autism and learning disabilities made it impossible for him to succeed in a traditional classroom setting Mainstream educational professionals deemed him uneducable and recommended institutionalization As a result of his seven years at Otto Specht School this individual is now attending college working and living independently with limited support services Community Environment The Otto Specht School was uniquely gifted from the start thanks to its greater community setting The Fellowship Community an intergenerational community focused on the care of the elderly provides the school with an operational biodynamic farm animals greenhouses workshops commercial kitchens and most importantly a community to belong to where students can build relationships and be of service Threefold Educational Foundation holds the educational charter provides classroom spaces and the administrative framework that helped found the school Green Meadow Waldorf School a sister school within the Threefold Educational Foundation provides opportunities for social integration athletic teams and supplementary classes A School to Belong Students for whom learning challenges developmental delays and sensory sensitivities had made school stressful and even unmanageable came to Otto Specht They came from Special Education settings other private schools Waldorf Schools and public schools Otto Specht School looked and felt different the students were met where they were at accepted for who they were and taught with caring and creativity Anxieties lessened and disappeared and student after student grew and learned happily and successfully having finally found a school where they felt they could belong Otto Specht is a highly individualized special needs program that offers a deep sense of adventure and community for the students Compared to other schools our daughter has attended Otto Specht School s loving perceptive and truly holistic approach provides students the most socially satisfying emotionally supportive and academically successful educational experience We are so grateful we found Otto Specht for our daughter Helena Hjalmarsson and Tony Lyons Otto Specht Parents

Today The Otto Specht School is a vibrant educational community offering innovative educational programming to students with developmental and learning disabilities Programming includes Early Childhood Children between the ages of 5 and 7 have an opportunity to spend a portion of the day integrated with the Green Meadow farm kindergarten to learn work and play within the natural surroundings and work areas of the Fellowship Community and receive therapies and supports necessary for a successful experience half or full day Full Time First through Twelfth Grade Students receive the Waldorf Curriculum adapted to the developmental and learning needs of each child opportunities for social academic artistic and athletic integration with Green Meadow Waldorf School therapies and the opportunity to earn a high school diploma Part Time Practical Arts For students who need supplemental vocational fine arts practical life skills or other therapeutic programming to enhance their academic programming provided at home or through another educational institution In response to the needs coming towards Otto Specht School for post secondary programming what began as the Otto Specht School Transitional Life Skills program has grown and is now Endeavor 21 Offering a broad spectrum of comprehensive individualized programming on campus for young adults with developmental disabilities and aligned with the mission and values of Otto Specht School Communities Endeavor 21 provides opportunities to learn work and live within and beyond the Threefold and Fellowship

A GLOBAL CRISIS Fewer and fewer students are able to thrive in traditional classroom settings as developmental disabilities and learning challenges continue to rise Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States Schools spend an average of 3 times more per special education student as compared to general education students data nysed gov The most recent comprehensive studies estimate that 1 in 40 children has Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD Andres understands how important this experience is for him at Otto Specht He sees that it shapes his life and keeps him grounded We thank you for giving Andres the opportunity to follow his dreams and for providing a safe peaceful and wonderful place he can call home Melissa Giraldo Andres Sister Studies published in Pediatrics and JAMA Pediatrics Both studies drew from the 2016 national Survey of Children s Health The studies looked at more than 43 000 children between ages 3 to Center17 for Disease Control and Prevention CDC estimates are for four years prior to the report date e g 2018 figures are from 2014

The Cliff There are no mandated services for individuals with autism and other cognitive and intellectual disabilities after one ages out of the public school system in the United States age 21 in New York State Families within the disability circle often refer to this transition time as the cliff where all the systems that were supporting their child s needs suddenly are gone And the numbers are staggering Close to 60 000 individuals with autism are aging out of the United States school systems every year As the rate of Autism and related cognitive and intellectual disabilities continues to grow and as children with these challenges grow to adulthood the need for meaningful programming vocational opportunities and residential living situations that appropriately support individuals as they enter the post school age world is immense AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER THE FASTEST GROWING DISABILITY IS ALSO THE GREATEST BARRIER TO EMPLOYMENT According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics young adults 20 25 with a disability have nearly double the unemployment rate 19 5 compared to young adults without a disability 9 6 Amongst disabilities Disorder has been shown Autism Spectrum to be most severely impacted with only 58 of young adults with ASD having ever been employed between 20 25 according to a Drexel University study compared with over 99 of individuals across ALL abilities https www dol gov agencies odep research statistics Roux AM Shattuck PT Rast JE Rava JA Anderson KA Hogan A National Autism Report Transition into Young Adulthood Philadelphia PA Life Course Outcomes Research Program A J Drexel Autism Institute Drexel University 2015

AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION At Otto Specht I saw the potential that this school with its built in safe learning spots motivated and seasoned staff emphasis upon community and its wondrous natural environment just might be the missing link in the education and long term success of children with autism and other developmental disabilities Greg Coffey PhD Clinical Child Psychologist Fewer and fewer children are adequately served through the mainstream models of education as the needs of our society grow and change Otto Specht School provides an answer a place for students of all abilities to learn and to thrive Educational programs and specialized therapies based on an integrated Waldorf Curriculum and philosophy of experiential learning Small class sizes allowing individualized programs that address the needs of each student and provide one on one learning opportunities Nurturing environment that fosters growth by encouraging students to balance their thoughts feelings and actions Outdoor education including environmental education forestry farming gardening equine therapy and riding As students are provided accessible pathways to learning and gain greater independence many transition into mainstream educational programs attend college and enter the workforce

A Bright Future Dawning Beyond the Cliff What is going to happen to our population meaning our autistic developmentally disabled population when they turn 21 Mike Sweeney Endeavor 21 parent and Otto Specht board member Recognizing the Potential in Human Disability Endeavor 21 actualizes integration by offering young adults the opportunity to learn from work at live in and contribute to the broader Threefold Community The program is a natural extension of the mission of the Otto Specht School Endeavor 21 was created to meet the current and growing needs of young adults and provide a continuum of possibilities Participants at Endeavor 21 are active contributors to the local economy producing goods providing services and bringing economic stimulus to local businesses while developing skills for further gainful employment

A Day of Possibilities

a Life of Meaningful Success

Community Impact Our programs provide a sustainable solution serving the needs of our students and participants while enhancing the social economic and environmental benefits of our community Working and learning opportunities contribute helping hands to the farm cafe elder care and other community entities These experiential learning opportunities enable community organizations to save between 30 000 and 40 000 per year per full time equivalent Students and young adult participants gain skills that can contribute to the community good and help our young adults find employment opportunities within and beyond the community while working alongside support staff and other employees within real work environments Social enterprises are created bringing additional revenue streams to the community such as biodynamic health products produced with herbs from our gardens Students participants families and support staff frequent local businesses bringing new economic activity Several families have made long term investments purchasing homes in the area each bringing between 15 000 and 25 000 in local taxes per year With the construction of this building Otto Specht School and Endeavor21 can realize their full potential serving more families increasing the economic and environmental benefits to our community and reaching out to our surrounding neighborhoods to provide programming goods and services

People Our programs enhance the Planet Our students and young Possibilities We recognize the vitality and diversity of our adults learn biodynamic and potential in all of our program community while fulfilling our regenerative agriculture skills participants and offer many mission to make possible self providing food and medicinal herbs opportunities to actualize this sufficient and positive futures for to the community Outdoor potential through learning work students and young adults of all environmental education classes service and the arts Students and abilities through an innovative are hands on practicing and young adults participate in the education meaningful work learning land management and cultural and economic life of the opportunities and the ability to resource conservation on the 200 community creating connections belong to an interdependent and acre campus of forests fields and and bringing economic growth vibrant community farmland community wide

FOR OTTO SPECHT SCHOOL A PLACE TO CALL HOME Classrooms and therapy spaces are designed to meet the specific therapeutic and pedagogical needs of our students with clean lines natural tones large windows inviting in the natural light amenities such as attached tutoring rooms quiet spaces a commercial learning kitchen science lab computer lab eurythmy room music room art room and more The expansive windows frame key views to the landscape orienting students within the building and within the overall site

FOR OUR COMMUNITY A CENTER OF ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES Community Organizations Collaborative Uses Threefold Educational Center Conferences Pfeiffer Center Lectures and cultural offerings Eurythmy Spring Valley Therapeutic Education and Program Fiber Craft Studio Training Green Meadow Waldorf School Biodynamic Research Fellowship Community Therapeutic Gardening Hungry Hollow Coop Equestrian Programs Threefold Cafe Equine Therapy Local Community Therapeutic Movement More than a school this building centrally located on our community campus will open up endless possibilities for the entire community including lab space for biodynamic research rooms for conferences and workshops a commercial kitchen for processing food from the farm therapy spaces and a place to welcome those from around the world who are interested in learning about our school as a model for serving their own communities needs

The buildings forms are attenuated stretching voluminously over the landscape as though they were pulled and twisted into being infusing the environment with kinetic energy The interrelationship of light and landscape interior and exterior are integral to the projects design Designed and gifted by Charles Rose Architects the two wings embrace the landscape and invite the beauty of the surrounding region into the building while simultaneously bringing the inside out through frequent opportunities for engagement with the outdoors A central lobby connects the two wings on the first and second levels welcoming students parents and visitors to a lightfilled community space at the heart of the building

VISION AND DESIGN AWARD WINNING ARCHITECT CHARLES ROSE FAIA The LEED Certified Zero Net Energy building design was created specifically for our school with our mission our methods and our students in mind The design has already made its mark in the architectural world earning the prestigious Society of American Registered Architects New York Design Excellence Award First Place and the Architectural News Best Design award for Unbuilt in the category of Education Charles Rose studied at Harvard Princeton and Columbia Universities and has earned 83 Design Awards

SECURING OUR FUTURE The Otto Specht School has embarked on a groundbreaking campaign to build a permanent home 15M Leadership Gift Chart LEVEL 5 000 000 OF GIFTS 1 TOTAL 5 000 000 Funds Raised 4M Land Acquisition Architectural Engineering and Legal Services Audio Visual System 1 000 000 2 2 000 000 500 000 4 2 000 000 250 000 4 1 000 000 100 000 5 500 000 50 000 10 500 000 raised 4 000 000 TOTAL 15 000 000 Funds Needed 11M Building and Construction

At Otto Specht School we understand the importance of giving and the connections that giving creates The following naming opportunities are designed to show how deeply appreciative we are of our donors and to recognize their dedication and generosity toward the school community Entire Campus 10 000 000 Entire Building 5 000 000 East Wing 2 500 000 West Wing 2 500 000 Lobby 3 500 SF 1 000 000 Science Lab 1 200 SF 500 000 Library 940 SF 500 000 Eurythmy Hall 1 000 SF 250 000 Dining Hall 680 SF 250 000 Vocational Kitchen 650 SF RESERVED 100 000 Administrative Suite 1 110 SF 100 000 Art Room 940 SF RESERVED 100 000 Multi Purpose Studio 520 SF 100 000 Garden Areas 2 100 000 Solar Roof Garden 50 000 Music room 590 SF RESERVED 50 000 Computer Lab 510 SF 50 000 Conference Room 520 SF 50 000 Occupational and Physical Therapy Room 540 SF RESERVED 50 000 Curative Eurythmy Room 400 SF RESERVED 50 000 Color Light Therapy Room 380 SF 50 000

CAMPAIGN GIVING GUIDELINES Campaign gifts and pledges received between January 1st 2020 and June 30 2023 will be recognized and credited towards the Capital Campaign Pledged gifts will be encouraged and promoted as 3 5 year pledge commitments Any gift can be made as a memorial or honorary gift Gifts of cash publicly traded securities and realized bequests will be credited toward the campaign Anyone 70 years of age or older may receive credit for an outright bequest provision upon receipt of appropriate documentation A gift in the form of life income trust if the gift is specifically designated for unrestricted purposes is available for any donor 70 years of age or older Under certain circumstances campaign credit may also be extended to include gifts in the form of life insurance for which Otto Specht School is named owner and or beneficiary A gift of real estate will be credited at the time that the transfer to Otto Specht School is completed Campaign credit will be based upon fair market value of the real estate as determined by IRS guidelines Naming opportunities are offered to recognize the generosity of donors of 50 000 or more Otto Specht School reserves naming opportunities for individuals and organizations of sound reputation and interest consistent with the school All potential naming opportunities must be approved by the governing bodies of the school These naming opportunities are subject to the Otto Specht School naming guidelines and policies All gifts and pledges directly support the Otto Specht School and its Programs Organizational Partnerships Otto Specht School is a long standing sponsored program of Threefold Educational Foundation a 501 c 3 not for profit organization chartered in the State of New York Endeavor 21 is an affiliated but separate nonprofit entity partnering with Otto Specht School to provide a continuum of services and programming

Otto Specht School Advisory Board Mary Holland Esq Advisory Board President General Counsel Children s Health Defense Campaign Leadership Cabinet Anya Kutsina Mary Holland Esq Executive Director Global Risk Solutions General Counsel Children s Health Defense Jeanette Rodriguez MCAT CMT Eric Maskin PhD Nobel Laureate Professor of Economics Harvard Founder and Director Otto Specht School Endeavor21 Dr Gerald Karnow MD Eric Silber Fellowship Community Associates Executive Director Threefold Educational Foundation Jessica Ziegler Advisory Board Secretary Executive Director Sunbridge College Michael Sussman Esq Founding Partner Sussman Associates Charles Rose FAIA Principal Architect and Creative Director Charles Rose Architects Scott Williams Campaign Director Otto Specht School Chela Crane Michael Sweeney Real Estate Self Direction Community Developer Assistant Director Otto Specht School Sophia Pisano MS Ed Educator and Businesswoman contact us Jeanette Rodriguez j rodriguez ottospecht org Scott Williams swilliams ottospecht org www ottospechtschool org

On behalf of the students and young adults we serve thank you for your interest support and generosity and for the endless possibilities that together we create Not everyone is capable of learning from books Everyone has their own way of learning I cannot see myself had I not gone to Otto Specht being where I am now Being a student and being an alumni changed my life forever Dennis Kutsin Otto Specht School Alumni Firefighter

As Mayor of Chestnut Ridge I have watched the Otto Specht School become a vibrant and integral part of the Threefold Community the Village and the broader Rockland County region I have enjoyed working with and getting to know the leadership of the Otto Specht School and deeply value the work they do with young people who have learning difficulties and developmental disabilities I am confident the new state of the art LEED certified building will enable the school to grow and serve students and our community in greater ways Rosario Presti Jr Mayor of Chestnut Ridge NY