Program Hope is a
Philadelphia and Bucks
County area-based charitable
organization that offers art,
dance, singing lessons and special
events for young adults
with disabilities. The lessons
are available to community
members, including Bucks students.
The program began in 2008
and was founded by Holland
resident Larisa Narita.
Program Hope’s purpose is to
provide therapeutic and social
activities for children and
young adults with physical or
learning disabilities.
The program currently has
four regular members, including
Narita’s son Constantin,
who has Cerebral Palsy. In
addition, there are a few parttime
members who attend the
program’s special events.
Some of these events include
trips to movie theaters, sporting
events, restaurants, and
even a yearly trip to the
Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair
in Lancaster during the summer.
Weekly events include dance
and vocal lessons. Art lessons
are held every other Friday. Art
and dance lessons are held at
Art Studio Palette in
Philadelphia. Vocal lessons
take place on Saturdays at
Narita’s home in Holland, Pa.
Bucks Disability Services
director Marie Cooper thinks
this program would benefit
some of her students.
According to Cooper, Bucks
attempted to offer a club for
students with disabilities several
years ago. She said that the
club was not very successful in
reaching students or holding
events that students seemed to
want to join. Cooper thinks
that community organizations
like Program Hope may reach
more young adults at Bucks.
“I think some potential members
could be Bucks students. I
think it’s a great idea,” Cooper
says.
Constantin Narita, 28, thinks
adding Bucks students to our
group would be a nice idea.
“It would be a great idea to
attract more people,” Narita
said.
Program Hope also has some
holiday events coming up in
the next couple of months. The
participants are having a
Holiday recital at Art Studio
Palette on Dec. 17, specific
time TBA. The program’s holiday
recital will feature dancing,
singing, and art projects
by the group’s regular members.
They will also be helping
coordinate and direct the show.
In addition, several of the
program’s members will be
attending World Wrestling
Entertainment’s (WWE)
Monday Night Raw in
Philadelphia later this month.
“This is a Holiday treat from
Program Hope,” Narita said of
the event.
Program member Jennifer
Paulinski, 27, is also very
excited about attending the
show.
Paulinski is one of four
members who regularly participate
in the program’s art,
dancing, and vocal lessons.
“I can’t wait to see John
Cena,” Paulinski said. Cena is
her favorite wrestler.
For more information about
Program Hope and how to get
involved visit the website
below:
http://www.programhope.sy
nthasite.com