Variety Child Learning Center, located on two Long Island campuses, provides programs and services for young children ages birth to eight, with learning, language, social and behavior challenges and also provides support services for their families.
Variety Child Learning Center was founded In 1966 by Judith Bloch, who established the program as one of the first special education preschools in the nation for children with learning, language and behavior problems, including autism, while providing programs and support for families. Bloch oversaw every step of the school’s expansion and growth, from its one classroom as Pre-Schooler’s Workshop in Garden City, New York, to the move to the current location in Syosset as Variety Child Learning Center to the current full-service Center the agency is today.
Variety Child is an extraordinary learning environment providing a unique offering to its students and families. Through its collaboration with the Spirit of Huntington Art Center, Variety was able to realize a new mission, “Touching Lives and Changing Hearts Forever” This became the perfect explanation for its brand to complement a new custom-illustrated version of its mascot Roary and a new mascot partner Squeaky!
Both Roary and Squeaky appear powerful yet playful as role models and guides to all that Variety Child offers, through a visually-appealing and high-functioning website www.vclc.org. The team at SOH was inspired by the pursuit of excellence in primary education at Variety and the traditional use of Roary as their existing mascot. The addition of the new mascot as a friend to Roary, and role model to others was part of the transformation.
Variety began the process to revitalize its look and mission earlier this year, choosing the Spirit of Huntington Art Center’s ARTWORKS program. ARTWORKS employs unique individuals who believe that a disability should not define what they can accomplish in life. Largely composed of individuals who have different abilities, ARTWORKS provides pre-vocational training and learning opportunities in the areas of digital art and graphic design, along with website design.
This collaboration allowed both organizations to work together to discover the true core essence of Variety Child.
For additional information on ARTWORKS, contact Michael Kitakis, Executive Director at the Spirit of Huntington Art Center. The Spirit of Huntington Art Center is a 5013c that ignites the passion of students with special needs and Veterans for creative expression that transforms their lives. Call: (631) 470-9620 or email: Michael@spiritofhuntington.com.
