Our Challenge

Operated by the nonprofit Lincolnia Educational Foundation, Inc., the various Leary School programs serve hundreds of students with special needs annually. With over four decades of service to children and adolescents, these programs have gained a reputation for successfully delivering specialized education and treatment to failing, troubled, and often disenfranchised youth with emotional, learning, and behavioral problems.

More than 500,000 children and their families in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area face these problems daily. They seek the help of a caring and professional community. They cannot do it alone. Since 1964, the Leary School programs have been there for them.

Over the years the School has changed and grown meet the challenge of the students' changing needs. Most would agree that the Foundation's programs are proven in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Students with often the most complex and intense needs realize success and growth. The Foundation is proud that these programs work and that more than 5,000 children and their families have benefited from the services provided by the Foundation's programs.

The Foundation is also proud of its historically sound fiscal management practices, which have consistently resulted in balanced operational budgets. Nevertheless, the funds to support capital costs, much equipment and program enrichment come from you, the donor, the one who cares enough to see that the staff delivers not just the Leary School programs, but the Leary Schools' difference.

There are several areas in need of current support. These include:

1. Development of additional job site programming in the region. More and more, it has become clear that part of the Foundation's mission going into the 21st Century is to bring this worthwhile and incredibly proven programming into the student's communities. The Foundation currently operated two 'stand alone' job site programs and hopes to develop a third in Brandywine, Maryland shortly. The Foundation may also attempt to bring this programming into the District of Columbia in the very near future. These programs are hugely successful. However financial support is needed particularly during the start up phase/.
   
   
2. Athletics and Sport programs. Our team sports programs rely on outside support for uniforms and awards.
   
   
3. Scholarship fund. The Foundation provides support for post secondary education and training opportunities for deserving graduates. Students have used these funds to support college tuition and tuition and related fees for specialized training.
   
   
4. General Operations. Most know that the Foundation invests it money in its staff. The buildings and grounds are safe and adequate, supplies and equipment are provided to support the educational and therapeutic needs of the program, however there is little leeway. Despite strong conservative fiscal management and constant striving to compensate its staff as close as possible to that of staff at area public schools, salary for the Foundation's staff continues to lag behind. Unrestricted donations to the general operating budget of any of its programs or the Foundation itself will directly help in this area.
   
   

The Board, administration, and staff are deeply appreciative of the individuals and corporations supporting our efforts.

The Board, administration and staff of the Leary School programs invite you to help continue the Schools' mission through your tax deductible contributions, to help students at both Leary School programs produce and succeed. Your investment is an investment in young people and the community.