Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Building Bridges. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.

For the first time in two years, Building Bridges, the program designed to educate students about people with different abilities, returned to Pelham elementary schools. Through a series of grade-specific interactive workshops and speaker presentations, Colonial and Hutchinson students in grades K-5 learned about everything from vision and hearing impairment to limb differences and autism.

Building Bridges was first brought to Pelham schools in spring 2019 by Colonial parent Ashley Matts, with the support of an $18,000 grant from the Pelham Education Foundation. The program was already being used in the Tuckahoe and Mamaroneck school districts, and thanks to Matts and a team of dedicated parent volunteers, was adapted for Pelham.

“We were extremely excited to have Building Bridges back at Colonial after a long two year hiatus,” Matts said. “This program demystifies disabilities and normalizes differences. It gives kids and parents the opportunity to talk openly, without shame, about something that is too often not discussed.”

This year represented Building Bridges’ debut at Hutchinson Elementary School, where Sofia de Oliveira and Iva Taylor Maghuyop led the committee of parent volunteers.

“Being able to bring the Building Bridges Program to Hutchinson Elementary School is a dream come true. Our community is diverse as any other in Pelham, but we also need to work in inclusion like many others. This program allowed us to work on exactly that aspect. From K to 5th Grade, our students received us day after day with a smile on their faces, curiosity about the different topics we presented, and an open mind. It has been extremely rewarding to see children asking to expand Building Bridges and requesting their parents to reach out to us asking for more activities such as sign language or Braille classes. We are extremely happy to be part of the Building Bridges Movement!”

Now an annual occurrence, Building Bridges will return to Pelham elementary schools in Spring 2023. “It’s a beloved program by our teachers, parents and children because I think there is a real gap in our knowledge and comfort around those who are different than us,” Matts added. “I could not be more thrilled to help break down those walls every year.”