“PHILLIPS saved my life. It made me feel like I belong.”

That is what one of our seniors told the audience at this month’s graduation ceremony. If you know our students’ personal stories as I do, you understand this statement is not an exaggeration.

Every one of the 42 students from our four campuses who received their diplomas this year made incredible progress during their time with us. In addition to overcoming the challenges that brought them to PHILLIPS, they rolled with all the punches the pandemic threw at them for more than a year – and they prevailed.

“PHILLIPS helped me mature. It helped me stay in school until graduation,” said another of our seniors.

The praise I heard for our staff during this month’s graduation events didn’t come only from students. Parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends came up to me to share stories about the critical difference our program has made in children’s lives.

One succinct bit of advice a senior offered to younger students at their school’s ceremony summed up the PHILLIPS philosophy: “Don't give up.”

We don’t give up on our kids. Families have come to us for decades because when others give up, the PHILLIPS team finds a way. Because of that, 42 extraordinary young people have earned their high school diplomas.

Piper Phillips Caswell
President & CEO, PHILLIPS Programs
piper.phillips@phillipsprograms.org
703.941.8810

Building Futures, Changing Lives

COVID masks hid their smiles, but it was clear how much pride everyone felt as they gathered at a new home in Annandale to celebrate a milestone for the Building Futures program on May 14. We hosted an Open House to show the results of more than four years of work by dozens of students and staff members.

Students eagerly led visitors through the luxurious 4-bedroom, 4-bath home with a finished basement, two-car garage and large back deck, making sure to point out the parts they built.

VIDEO: ‘It’s Like a Dream House to Me’

Between tours, Scott stood in the kitchen with Education Program Supervisor Amy Taylor, talking about how much he had changed since he started with Building Futures as a 10th grader. After years of failure and frustration in school, he discovered something that made him feel good about himself. As his construction skills improved, so did his behavior and his grades. He worked harder in class and set an example for others, eventually becoming Student Council president.

“You have to advocate for yourself,” Scott said, turning to a younger student he had helped train. “When I learned that, things really started to change.”

The house at 6459 Holyoke Dr. just went on sale, listed for $867,000. Given the current condition of the real estate, it probably won’t stay on the market for long. Soon, we’ll be breaking ground for the next home our students will build.

Building Futures is part of PHILLIPS’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.  Along with teaching construction trades in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, CTE also offers students career pathways in culinary arts and indoor farming at PHILLIPS School ~ Laurel, and 3D Design and Printing at PHILLIPS School ~ Fairfax.

PHILLIPS leaders hosted a Community Conversation about CTE in May. You can watch a recording of that Zoom conference call here.

Fundraising: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

Runner Chely Cifuentes went the extra mile – and much, much more – for PHILLIPS. She completed a marathon at the Jim Thorpe Area Running Festival in Pennsylvania on May 23 to raise money for our Spring Campaign.

Congratulations and many thanks to Chely for promoting physical and mental health awareness.

We’re not asking you to run 26.2 miles for us. Just click the Donate button and make your contribution to the New Horizons Fund supporting our workforce development and job creation initiatives.

Career Opportunities at PHILLIPS

We’re pleased to announce that Renee Flowers is the new Program Director at PHILLIPS School ~ Laurel, succeeding Sarah Headley-Boyd.

Renee has been with PHILLIPS Programs for 26 years, most recently as the High School Education Program Supervisor at Laurel.

It is with the deepest gratitude that we wish Sarah all the best as she moves out of the area after devoting 23 years to our program.

PHILLIPS now has opportunities available for classroom positions, related services and home-based counselors. If you or someone you know would like to become part of the PHILLIPS team, visit the Careers page on our website to see all current position openings.

3D Design and Printing Community Class

Do you know a creative young adult with differing abilities who loves computers and design? Do they want to have fun turning their ideas into real objects? Would they like to gain valuable skills that will enhance their resume? Our 3D Design and Print Summer Career Experience is for them!

This Community Class runs from July 6 - 29 at our Designing Futures Lab in Fairfax.

• Learn industry-leading CAD software

• Design custom products

• Operate 3D printers and scanners

• Earn certification

• Engage in problem-solving and critical thinking

• Build teamwork and collaboration skills

The instructors are certified special education teachers and 3D experts.

For more information and to register, contact Lindsay Harris, Director of Career Partners
Phone: 703.941.8810  Email: lindsay.harris@phillipsprograms.org

PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families
7010 Braddock Rd | Annandale, Virginia 22003
703-941-8810 | piper.phillips@phillipsprograms.org

PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families is a private, non-profit organization serving the complex needs of children and youth living with cognitive, emotional and/or behavioral challenges in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Through excellence in specialized education, community programs and individualized support services, we provide our children and families every advantage to ensure they develop to achieve their greatest individual success. Their potential is our commitment.