Mary Cariola Center

The award‑winning Sunshine Squad turned up the volume at our East Henrietta and East Avenue campuses!
The Choir, Drums Alive, and Studio Band brought the energy, and our students, staff, and families loved every minute.

Huge applause for our Music Therapy team — your year‑round dedication makes moments like this unforgettable.

Last week, students at our Elmwood campus got to meet real animals, such as a very talkative parrot, and touch real snakeskin and fur, all without having to leave the school!

Thank you Seneca Park Zoo for bringing the zoo to us! 🐍🐦🐜

The Small Business Council of Rochester , an affiliate of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, recently awarded Mary Cariola Center a $1,500 gift. The Agency was nominated by SBC Rochester’s Board of Director member, Katarine ‘Kate” Polozie. Kate, also serves on Mary Cariola Center’s Foundation Board. We are humbled by their support. Thank you!

The Big Idaho Potato Tour rolled into all three Mary Cariola campuses this week — bringing along its famous four‑ton spud on wheels and a whole lot of smiles. Our students had a tater‑rific time collecting stickers, learning about the nutritional power of potatoes, and of course, snapping photos with the giant
The truck is traveling the country on a national school and charity tour, and we’re so grateful they made a stop AND a donation to Mary Cariola. Their visit truly mashed fun and learning together in the best way.
Thanks for helping us make this day so a-peel-ing, educational, and totally un‑spud‑gettable.

Let’s celebrate the magic-makers of our agency—our Support Staff! From Agency Advancement to Human Resources, to Information Technology, Finance & Purchasing, Marketing and Communications, Learning and Organizational Development and our CEO Administrative Staff--- these incredible teams keep everything running smoothly, turning challenges into solutions and ideas into action. Their efforts often happen out of view, yet their impact is felt across every corner of our agency. We extend our sincere appreciation for their support.

Your coverage of the Big Idaho Potato Tour was butter than we could’ve hoped for — thanks, 13 WHAM ABC . 😁🥔

GALLERY: Big Idaho Potato Truck visits students at Mary Cariola Center in Rochester Rochester, N.Y. — A giant spud paid a visit to some local students Thursday.

Special Education Teacher Karla Dandurand and her East Henrietta students and staff enjoyed their big Seneca Park Zoo adventure. The sun was shining, the animals were active, and our students handled the crowds like absolute champs. It was a day full of wonder and wide‑eyed excitement.

Pride is more than a month — it’s a reminder that everyone deserves to be seen, valued, and celebrated exactly as they are...EVERY DAY.
Here’s to acceptance, inclusion, and the courage to be you. Happy Pride. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 🏳️‍🌈

We are honored to receive funding from the The Marilyn Lichtman Foundation to launch our new Family Navigator role.

This position will work directly with families in our Intensive Behavior Services program, helping them access critical resources such as food, utilities, transportation, and safe living conditions. By supporting families’ basic needs, we strengthen their ability to support their child’s behavioral progress.

Many thanks to the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation for investing in this vital work.