Celebrating Five Years
In honor of The Nora Project’s fifth birthday last month, we invited TNP participants, parents and partners to share words of wisdom and their favorite TNP memories. These stories are the reason that TNP exists today. They’re our inspiration to continue to do and be better year after year so that our participating students, their families and our TNP teachers have a positive and everlasting experience.
“The Nora Project has been such an amazing addition to my SEL lessons each week. I feel like the program has not only helped my students become more empathetic and flexible, but also more comfortable talking about disabilities. Some of my favorite memories are of watching my students have their activity days. I get to see them in a new light and watch a small group share their passions. I am so glad I get to be part of the Nora community.”
Tall smiling boy stands against brick wall wearing blue TNP shirt and black face mask. To his right stands a young girl wearing unicorn dress wearing pink face mask.
“My daughter Aria has made many friends thanks to The Nora Project. It fills my heart when they say “Hi Aria!” every morning before going to class. Aria spontaneously will say “Hi Joe! Hi Anthony!’’ I appreciate that this organization teaches this generation to show empathy and best of all make them feel welcomed”
“The Nora Project taught me what disability means and how to treat others with a disability.”
“When I was first introduced to the Nora Project, I was extremely impressed by the thoughts and ideals behind it. I completely underestimated the impact it would have on our students, and me personally.
St. Elizabeth School is a non-public school for students with varying disabilities. We teamed up with Calvert School, a private school less than a mile from us. The students from both schools learned about empathy and making friends. Two years later, in spite of a pandemic that almost canceled our entire project, the students from both schools continue to maintain friendships, attending birthday parties and celebrations via Zoom.
I get teary eyed every time I think of the impact The Nora Project has on the lives of our students. Our students felt included by understanding who they are as people and the value they give the world. They listened to each other’s stories, showing genuine interest in seeing the world from each other’s point of view. They applied what they learned about empathy in a natural way. I am glad that I was able to lead this project for the team; but most importantly I am blessed to have witnessed the mission being embraced and carried out in an organic fashion.”
“TNP has the best staff and advisory board! Here they are at their Storytelling Retreat in February, joined by storyteller Kevin Kling. “What are the odds the gods would put us all in one spot?” (HAMILTON REFERENCE) Lauren [Schrero] has an amazing ability to assemble truly great people and motivate them toward a common goal, and I really believe that anything is possible for The Nora Project in the next five years because of this group of kind, passionate, thoughtful people she has brought on board. Thank you to the Nora Project for letting me play some small part in all of this, and congratulations on achieving this milestone!”
20 people on Zoom call smiling at the camera
“I love the Nora Project because it teaches me to be kind, loving, helpful, considerate. I love the videos, pictures, and how pretty it looks. I LOVE THE NORA PROJECT!”
Have a favorite TNP picture, memory or story that you’d like to share? Email it to info@thenoraproject.ngo. Learn more about how we celebrated our fifth birthday and the evolution of the organization over the last five years in this blog post.