Birch Family Services Launches Back to School Drive During 50th Year

In 1975, the same year the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guaranteed public education for students with disabilities, Birch Family Services was created to help bring that promise to life.

Our founder, Phyllis L. Susser, began with just eight classrooms and 27 students in Queens. As we begin our 50th school year, Birch is preparing to welcome more than 1,000 students across nine schools, many in New York City’s most under-resourced communities.

You can help give every student the tools they need to succeed by supporting our Back to School Drive today:

• Shop our Amazon Wish Lists – Purchase items that go straight into Birch classrooms.
• Make a Gift – Every donation—big or small—helps provide the tools students and teachers need to succeed.
• Spread the Word – Share our campaign with friends, family, and colleagues. You can easily repost to Instagram or Facebook directly from our webpage.

For students with autism and other developmental disabilities, these resources are beyond helpful as they navigate new routines and environments. Each of our students has their own unique strengths and needs. Your support helps meet them where they are and ensures they can grow from there.