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Spruce Janitorial holds its quarterly training meetings at The Discovery with about 50 employees. Earlier this fall, Joe (a Spruce Supervisor), had Stephanie D’Arcy, our Visitor Services Director, come talk to their staff about the museum. Spruce wanted their employees to get to know the organization they were tasked with keeping clean and ready for each day’s wave of visitors.
Most of Spruce’s staff only knew The Discovery as the building they came to clean each night, but hadn’t been to the museum with their families. In fact, only two employees raised their hands to confirm they visited the museum on their own. Several parents in the group also shared that their children visited The Discovery on a field trip, but they could not afford to bring their whole family back to the museum on their own time.
As Stephanie shared more about The Discovery, its mission, and its focus on hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) programming, an interpreter helped translate her words for those employees whose first language is Spanish. Stephanie went on to describe The Discovery’s financial assistance program, which, thanks to the generosity of several donors, ensures families with low household income have access to The Discovery’s exciting learning opportunities. She encouraged Spruce’s employees to apply for financial assistance to The Discovery’s field trips, camps, or to support their family’s membership to the museum.
Upon hearing this new information about financial assistance, several Spruce employees expressed their gratitude through tears. They had no idea this opportunity was available to them. With this knowledge in hand, the Managing Member of Spruce, Ryan Peirce, committed right then and there to cover the $25 application fee for every employee interested in applying for financial assistance for a membership or camp at The Discovery! Stephanie D’Arcy reflected that at that moment, it seemed everyone became emotional in response to the offer, and an audible murmur of joy in both Spanish and English spread throughout the room.
“We are very excited to provide all of our Team Members with an opportunity to obtain a membership to The Discovery. We feel The Discovery is a “one of a kind” when it comes to providing true family entertainment, while constantly educating along the way. Our Team Members and their families will benefit from this membership all year long, and are truly thankful for this experience.” —Ryan Peirce, Managing Member, Spruce
Stephanie encouraged Spruce employees to speak with The Discovery’s bilingual staff who were present, ready to explain the details of the financial assistance applications and answer their questions. The touching reaction of the Spruce employees was even more meaningful when Stephanie learned that one of the employees also had a son who is on the autism spectrum. The mother and Spruce employee didn’t believe The Discovery could still be a place fit for her son, given his special needs. Stephanie relieved the mother’s concerns when she shared that the “Discover Your Way” program will launch in January 2017. Held on the first Sunday of every month from 10 am to Noon, “Discover Your Way” is designed especially for families with youth on the autism spectrum, and sensory and perception disorders spectrum.
When I grew up, I never experienced something like this. To me, bringing my daughter here, she experiences something like opening doors. Thanks to The Discovery, as a whole, employees, everybody, I believe they open the mind, imagination.” —Spruce Employee
Since the fall meeting, thirteen Spruce employees have applied for financial assistance to become a member household of The Discovery, or support their child’s participation in one of our winter camps. With community stakeholders like Spruce, and generous donors who understand the importance of increasing access to The Discovery’s hands-on learning opportunities, there is no limit to the important work we can do to increase curiosity, creativity, and wonder in our region.
Find out more about The Discovery’s financial assistance program and keep an eye on our calendar of events for the next “Discover Your Way” program.