The Gertrude A. Stewart Charitable Trust
New Programs
In addition to the existing programs, the Trust is continually planning new programs
as its budget permits and makes grants to various foundations. For example, the
Trust pays the salary of an occupational therapist of the mentally retarded through
Community Interactions Incorporated. This therapist assists low functioning mentally
retarded individuals and the program includes outreach efforts into their homes.
The Trust contributed funds for the operation of the DELARC (Delaware County
Association for Retarded Citizens) Summer Camp, a summer camp for mentally
retarded children. The Trust also supports a volunteer coordination program for
volunteer services at a child guidance and mental health clinic in Media.
The Trust supports the meeting of the Advisory Committee for the Training School at
Vineland, New Jersey. The Committee is comprised of nationally-known leaders in
the field of mental retardation and developmental disabilities and has helped guide
the revitalization of the Training School since the Committee's first meeting in 1982.
In the spring of 1994 the Trust became involved in a new pilot program in
conjunction with the Elwyn Institute. The Trust helps fund the Family Training Center
which seeks to aid families with disabled children (usually retarded and/or
emotionally distrubed) better manage. Parents and siblings come and stay in the
house iwth the handicapped child. They are observed in usual interactions over
televisoin monitors. They meet with therapists to learn better ways to interact.
