In this issue:

Make a tax-deductible gift
Florence Bank grant voting
Winter classes starting soon
Upcoming events
Joyful Chorus performance
Parent/caregiver writing group interest form
Free printable coloring pages
Holiday cheer at the ICC

Winter is here and so is registration time for our social and recreational classes at the Inclusive Community Center. Try something new in 2025!

Between dark green brackets it says Did you know? We have some NEW classes this session!

Make a tax-deductible gift

Your year-end gift helps us keep class prices low for families and individuals here in western MA. Thank you for your support this year and every year to help us provide social opportunities and skill building in an inclusive environment.

Donate today

Florence Bank customers

Once again, Florence Bank is

donating $150,000 to local non-profits in their Customers' Choice Community Grants Program! Customers can vote for us before Dec. 31 to help make a difference for people in our community.

Customer voting

The Whole Children and Milestones logos are in the top left corner. White text on orange on the right says Be with friends this winter. The bottom says Class catalog at WholeChildren.org/class-schedule. There is a cut out of three children playing in snow making a snowman against a dark green background.

Black and white photo of three pre-teens playing in the snow while it's falling. The girl on the ground is giving a peace sign with her hand. The girl above her has her arms stretched wide. The boy on the right is playing air guitar.

Background is alternating rings or green and orange. The program logos are in the middle in white. Text says Our classes are now open for enrollment at the ICC! View the full class schedule and register on our website WholeChildren.org

Winter classes start soon!

Our hybrid curriculum of in-person and online classes for all abilities starts the week of January 6 and runs until March 1. Don't wait to enroll or classes might fill up!

Membership includes two in-person classes and UNLIMITED online classes. You also get FREE entrance to our special events this winter- a Board Game Night and Pal-entines Karaoke Party.

There are only a few spots remaining in two of our NEW classes this session, Music Explorations and Craft Club, so register now to save your seat. These classes do not require any prior experience, only a willingness to explore a new skill.

REGISTER FOR CLASSES

DOWNLOAD THE SCHEDULE

UPCOMING EVENTS

Board game night

What: Practice social skills while playing games together! There will be lots of multi-person games to try, or feel free to bring your favorite to share. Ages 16+. FREE for members or $10 for non-members. Please register in Jackrabbit or call.

When: January 22, 5:45-7 p.m.

Where: Inclusive Community Center

Special education virtual forum

What: This is a monthly opportunity for parents and caregivers to share information amongst each other and gain insight from Nancy Farnsworth in Autism Connections, another Pathlight program at the ICC. Registration is required.

When: January 29, last Wednesdays of the month

Where: Zoom- not recorded for people's privacy

White text with a black outline says Pal-entines Karaoke. There is a cut-out photo of a woman with blonde hair smiling while standing at a microphone. On both sides of her are orange doodle hearts. The background alternates between dark and light green layers of hearts.

Pal-entines karaoke party

What: Bring a partner or friend to karaoke night, or come on your own for a fabulous evening of music, crafts and laughs. Ages 16+. FREE for members or $10 for non-members. Please register online in Jackrabbit or call.

When: February 13, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Inclusive Community Center

Joyful Chorus takes the stage

Our Joyful Chorus put on their festive attire and sang in a performance this month with the Florence Community Band at Northampton High School. If you are interested in joining the group or music in general, there are still spots available in the Joyful Chorus, Jam Band, and Music Exploration classes!

Joyful Chorus sits in front of the Florence Community Band on stage at Northampton High School for a winter show. The chorus is mostly wearing holiday sweaters. Whole Children and Milestones teachers Eddy (left) and Liam (right) stand on the ends of the group.

Dark green text says Need a creative outlet? We're starting a writing group for parents and caregivers. When? Mondays 10-11:30 a.m. or Thursdays 4-5:30 p.m. Interested? Fill out the form. The There's a photo of Emily Bloch, writer and therapist with dark shoulder length hair and white skin.

Interested in a parent/caregiver writing group?

We are gauging interest for a supportive writing group at the ICC, led by local writer and therapist Emily Bloch. No experience needed! This would have a nominal fee.

Interest form

Colored pencils in rainbow order are pointing down frrom the top onto a white background. There is a box with a preview of the coloring page, a gift box with decorative wrapping paper and bow. Text says FREE coloring page and WholeChildren.org. There are small doodles of a butterfly, sunshine, and several squiggles.

FREE coloring pages to download and print

Don't forget to take some time for self-care this winter! The coloring pages on our website are free to print for yourself and friends. We'd love to see your finished work!

Coloring pages

Inclusive Community Center is filled with holiday cheer

Our lobby is decorated with lights and decor to get everyone in the holiday spirit! The Milestones Day program filled the hallways with the sweet smell of gingerbread cookies last week, and the trees in the cafe are covered in students' homemade ornaments and garland.

In the foreground is a Christmas tree lit up and decorated with handmade ornaments. In the background are students in the cafe decorating cookies.

Three plates filled with gingerbread cookies, some of them decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles.

Four students stand in front of a Christmas tree in the cafe. On the left is a woman with red hair in a coat. Next to her is a man wearing a gray sweatshirt with hood on in a wheelchair. Next to him is a woman with short blonde hair wearing a vest over a gray sweater. On the right is a woman with long hair in a backeards red baseball cap and pink sweatshirt.

Know someone who would be interested in what we do? They can sign up for our email newsletter at the bottom of our website and take a virtual tour of the ICC. In-person tours can be scheduled upon request.