McAuley School’s $2 Million Capital Campaign

Room to Grow. . .

At McAuley, we continually look for better and more efficient ways to provide our students with the best education, social development and physical care. Our administration and staff work diligently to develop the skills of each and every one of our students to the best of their abilities – keeping in mind that our students’ needs go well beyond typical curriculum and standard educational activities. Our staff of physical and occupational therapists works one-on-one with students to provide the most effective treatment.

Over the years our programs have grown exponentially. As science and technology advances, we have seen an influx of students benefiting from these advances. However, we have quite simply outgrown our space. We face so many obstacles on a daily basis at our current facility, that our progress, while apparent, could be much better.

  • We do not have a multi-purpose room that allows space for group activities, limiting the socialization of the children.
  • Our Real Life Choices post-graduate program continues to grow but our space is limited. Currently, the program is housed in a trailer on the school grounds.
  • Our physical and occupational therapists have no real space to call their own. Much of their work with students is done in the hallways and in the greenhouse located on the school grounds.
  • Our school lacks adequate storage space for the materials necessary to teach our children.
  • We are hard pressed to grow the program. Even the addition of new computers to the classrooms is not possible due to the space limitations.

Seeing the urgent need, the Sisters of Mercy have purchased a former Catholic School building in North Plainfield, NJ for McAuley’s use. However, many improvements need to be made to provide the best educational services for all of our students.

Our plans call for:

  • An elevator for handicapped accessibility.
  • Air conditioning throughout the school building – a must for those children with severe respiratory problems.
  • Bathroom facilities on every level to meet our children’s needs.
  • A large nurse’s office – the existing room is too small for the needs of our children.
  • A designated area for our Real Life Choices students.
  • Designated physical, occupational and speech therapy rooms, proper equipment and specialized flooring to provide more benefits to the students who need it most. Currently, space for these programs is non-existent.
  • A large meeting space in the form of a multi-purpose room.
  • An instructional kitchen for our Real Life Choices student to learn necessary life skills.

The total cost to fund the renovation project is approximately $2 million. Currently, we are conducting a capital campaign and meeting with the McAuley community to ask for financial support for this project. Contributions from current and former parents, board members, foundations, businesses and friends have been extremely generous. We have begun renovations and expect the project to be completed by the start of the 2010-2011 school year.

Options for benefactors seeking to provide a gift or pledge to McAuley’s Capital Campaign include:

  • One-time gifts made payable to the McAuley School Building Fund.
  • Pledges for payout over three to five years on a schedule convenient to the donor.
  • Gifts of appreciated securities may provide the donor with significant tax savings.
  • Various planned giving vehicles can be arranged by contacting McAuley School.
  • Make a gift online through our website.

General contributions to the school are also welcome.

For further information please contact Sister Lee Ann Amico, Director, 908-754-4114.