Friends of TAPA

by: Miss Lindsay If we were to list all of the people who helped TAPA get back on our feet after Hurricane Sandy our blog would be an endless list of names of TAPA supporters from Long Beach and beyond!  We had packages, cards, and donations from Florida, California, and even Africa when we sounded… Read More »

That perfect summer job…

Every young person is looking for a great summer internship and this year TAPA was blessed to have two very talented young ladies join us as interns. The girls worked for two days a week helping us with fall mailings, cleaning and re-organizing the art closets, and helping us prepare for the last two weeks… Read More »

Dancers with Heart

By: Lindsay Rogan After Hurricane Sandy everyone at TAPA (in Long Beach!) was reeling from the unexpected losses.  I knew that the building was flooded and that we had sustained a significant loss but nothing really hit me until I was in the building clearing things out. The most simple things would stop me in… Read More »

Simple Daily Affirmations

By: Miss Susan While visiting my son, Dante, a few years ago, I noticed small post-its in every room of his apartment. Stepping closer to read them I found that they were all positive, upbeat little sentences: You are wonderful You are focused You are a strong person……..and the like. I asked Dante about the… Read More »

100 Best Places to Raise a Family

The TODAY Show recently made a list of the 100 Best Places to Raise a Family.  New York made it to the Top 25!  Personally, we love New York and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but there are certainly challenges and obstacles New Yorkers face when raising a family with a special needs child…. Read More »

TAPA’s Little Helpers

By Miss Amy: TAPA is not just for special needs.  My son, Matthew, has been coming to work since before age 2.  In addition to meeting so many wonderful students, he has taken dance, music, drumming and been my conscientious assistant. His experience has fostered a compassionate and understanding aspect of his personality that I… Read More »

Some thoughts…

By: Miss Keyla I have to say! I am always so exhausted in the morning from the long commute to TAPA, but once I enter the TAPA building I am  energized and excited to see everyone’s faces including the amazing staff and vollies. I love the different holiday themes we used during camp that went… Read More »

“Typical”

By: Cindi Valenti As a mother of two special needs children, I sometimes find it hard to understand “typical” mothers and their wants and needs. I want my kids to be happy, socialize like “typical” kids do, succeed in the future and be taken care of. I encourage any activity they want to try or… Read More »