deeprootcenter
  • Home
    • Homeschool Information
    • Our Story
    • Testimonials
    • Guiding Principles
  • About Us
    • The DRC Staff & Board
    • Fees
    • Consultations
    • DRC Pop-Ups
    • DRC-Canton Summer Program
    • Resources >
      • Liberated Learners Network
      • OPT OUT!
  • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sponsor a DRC Kid
    • Thank you
    • Grant Funders & Sponsors
  • Blog
Picture
Picture

An Important Message from Maria

11/18/2023

0 Comments

 
It is once again the time of year that I hold onto my other ideas for Blog topics to update all of you on our progress over the previous 12 months and then humbly ask you to help us stick around for another year. Honestly, this annual appeal feels like it has higher stakes - mainly because the big grants we wrote didn’t get funded.

Nevertheless, I have faith that our dedication to the mission and the stories from the kids themselves will inspire folks to join us in keeping it alive for all our current families and those who will reach out for our help in the coming months and years.

The narratives we hear from parents daily keep us motivated - like the Mom of one of the kids who home schools on their own and consults with me, who called on Friday to say she wasn’t sure what to tell me to write in his quarterly report. Then she proceeded to say this 16-year-old kid (who had been nearly impossible to live with and was on track to be put on PINS by his social worker) has been volunteering to do things around the house, including decorating and organizing tasks for his extended family, is super pleasant to be around (according to her a major attitude adjustment), and he is working non-stop on an ATV to get it running. Additionally, his interest in RC cars has been renewed, and he is getting those operational again. All of this in the four weeks since he left school. Needless to say, I had plenty to write in his report.

Even though this kiddo does not come to Deep Root Center - he has my full support to follow his interests and explore the possibilities. That, right there, is our why!

Thank you for reading our Fall Funding Appeal, and supporting us in whatever way you can. Together we make a difference - one kid at a time!

Picture
Picture
DRC-Canton kiddos enjoying the Grasse River spring run-off by throwing "pooh sticks" from their favorite outdoor adventure place - the SUNY Canton foot-bridge.
Wow, another year just sped by, and Deep Root Center (DRC) is set to celebrate our tenth anniversary in January. My annual message each of those years has not changed much - we are still here (now with two locations), and despite our austerity budget - the number of kids we serve continues to expand, the amount we provide in fee reductions has grown substantially (200K+ - this year), and DRC's reputation in the community for providing a safe, non-coercive environment where kids are trusted to freely follow their interests to be themselves has only solidified.

Nonetheless, in the not-for-profit world, DRC doesn't quite fit the typical fund-able mold. We are committed to staying small and flexible, and we are passionately fierce in our dedication to our mission. We are focused solely on supporting the amazingly brave kids who refuse to fit into societal expectations and would otherwise fall through the cracks. Additionally, we don't speak "entrepreneurial" - the language of capitalism. We consider these traits our strengths. However, those who gate-keep the grants and funding for not-for-profits often see it differently.

With that being said, we are deeply grateful for the local businesses and individuals who recognize our value to the community, donated items to our silent auction, contributed to annual appeals or monthly, and sponsored our kiddos this year.


Our mission might not be sexy or provide overloads of cuteness, and the language we use doesn't bring to mind a business; however, as evidenced by these quotes from DRC families, we are changing lives every single day. And for us, that is the only thing that matters.
Picture
Picture
Your financial contributions will go a long way in helping us continue our one mission. You can donate one-time or monthly or even purchase an item from our Amazon wishlist.

If you know of someone who is excited about outside-the-box ideas and supporting kids, please spread the word: the Deep Root Center board is also seeking sponsorships from individuals, businesses, and organizations - stores committed to doing a roundup campaign or restaurants or bars willing to have a DRC Day and donate a percentage of a day’s sales. We are grateful for you sharing our message.

Thank you!

Picture
Some of our DRC-East Kiddos in action.
Donate
Picture
A few DRC-Canton kids doing their thing.
Picture

Thank You to our Sponsors this past Year:
Seacomm Bank - $600
TJ- Toyota - $500
Atlantic Testing Laboratory - $1000
Boyden Brook Body Works - $1250
American Legion Post #79 - Massena - $500

Deep Root Center Mission:

At Deep Root Center (DRC), we believe that all young people deserve a safe, educational environment where they feel like they are part of a community - and where they are free to explore all the possibilities.
Staff: Maria Corse - Executive Director. & Founder, Christopher Raymo - DRC-Canton Staff,
Karen Gagne - DRC-East Lead Staff & Mentor
Board of Directors: Virginia Galligan, Tiffanie Jacob, Susan Foster, & Candace Cowser

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Don't miss a post!

    Sign-up here to get the DRC Blog delivered to your inbox.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

Picture
© 2025 Whole Learners, Inc. 501(c)3
Deep Root Center
48 Riverside Drive, Canton, NY 13617

315*323*1435/[email protected]
  • Home
    • Homeschool Information
    • Our Story
    • Testimonials
    • Guiding Principles
  • About Us
    • The DRC Staff & Board
    • Fees
    • Consultations
    • DRC Pop-Ups
    • DRC-Canton Summer Program
    • Resources >
      • Liberated Learners Network
      • OPT OUT!
  • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sponsor a DRC Kid
    • Thank you
    • Grant Funders & Sponsors
  • Blog