BORO SugarShack; WestboroughSchools

The BORO Sugar Shack has reached yet another exciting milestone in our journey: beginning to provide paid work opportunities to our students with special abilities!  When each of us is paid for our work, we gain a sense of pride and increased self-worth, and a measure of financial independence.  This GoFundMe campaign is being re-launched now in order to provide seed financing for paid work opportunities for our students, with the plan that future store profits will cover this expense down the road.
 
During this season of giving, we hope that you will consider lending your support to this important initiative to help us reach our target goal of $30,000.  We are thrilled to announce that we have already received a $10,000 anonymous donation to kick off our GoFundMe campaign!!  Thanks to this extremely generous donor – and thank YOU for considering donating!! 
 
Also, if you haven’t stopped by the BORO Sugar Shack recently, please come by to see all the holiday - and traditional - candy and gifts available, including Westborough Spirit Wear.  Westborough’s students will be happy to welcome you to their vocational learning lab, and we bet they will put a smile on your face too!  Your purchases help sustain their education so it’s a win-win-win.  In-store and curbside pick-up hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-4; 15 East Main St. (across from Westborough House of Pizza); masks required; online store: https://www.borosugarshack.com Questions? [phone redacted]  Thanks for sharing this GoFundMe on social media and with your networks!  Be sweet!!!  
 
Background: 
In November 2017, after much planning, the Westborough Public Schools (WPS) opened its post-high school transition program, the BORO Program (Bridging Over to Right Opportunities), for our young adult students aged 18-22.  Thanks to the support of the Westborough community, the following year WPS opened the BORO Sugar Shack candy and gift store, which serves as a vocational learning lab to prepare our students for gainful long-term employment opportunities right in their home community.  At the BORO Sugar Shack, students learn various job-related skills in a real business setting.  The Sugar Shack is located in the heart of downtown Westborough, allowing the entire Westborough community to participate in -- and enjoy -- this unique retail experience.  For a peek inside the BORO program and the BORO Sugar Shack as it was first starting out, watch this video by our friends at Westborough TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bQltDrD3Es  

Public schools are responsible for providing education for students with complex learning needs from the ages of 3-22.  This unique population of students with diverse abilities receives local schools' extra support at the beginning and completion of the typical kindergarten to grade 12 educational journey.  In Westborough, the core value of our age 18-22 program is to successfully launch students into career, college, and work opportunities within their home community, where they have the best opportunities to thrive.  An essential component of the BORO Program and the BORO Sugar Shack learning lab is to provide robust educational development, as well as vocational-technical and life skills training in the center of Westborough.

Community members and professional organizations are fully vested in this endeavor, and have embraced and invested in the BORO Program development in a variety of ways, including monetary contributions, equipment donations, program supplies, a vehicle to transport students to area colleges and work opportunities, and making the video introduction to support this GoFundMe campaign.  The community has donated funding to assist with the renovation of the community space, provided teaching and learning opportunities both on and off site, and is welcoming the anticipated goal of work placement for young adults within the business community.  Two previous town meeting warrant articles have demonstrated strong support in favor of this program by the Westborough community.

Cash or in-kind donations to the Westborough Public Schools may qualify for a federal tax deduction under section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Please consult your tax adviser for specific advice.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!!  We sincerely appreciate your investing in the BORO Program and giving Westborough students the opportunity to continue learning and growing in their home community.

If you have any questions, including an interest in making a sizable donation, please contact Sherrie Stevens, Westborough's Director of Pupil Personnel, at [email redacted]