TOSHIBA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, NY PARTNERS TO CREATE AUDIOVISUAL CLASSROOM FOR VILLA STUDENTS

FEBRUARY 2007--When Toshiba Business Solutions, NY President Steven B. Sauer and several Toshiba employees toured the St. Joseph’s Villa Campus School in fall 2006, the wheels began turning.

“We could see right away that this was a quality organization doing exceptional work with at-risk kids,” says Sauer, whose 50-year-old Rochester company and sister company AV Solutions, take pride in giving back to the community through the support of nonprofit organizations like the Villa. “We also thought of something important we could provide as a company that would have a direct benefit to Villa kids.”

That “something” turned out to be a beautiful, fully-equipped audiovisual room -- completed in January 2007 and now a permanent instructional fixture on the second floor of the Campus School – helping to open the eyes of Villa kids to a world of creative opportunities.

The Villa’s state-licensed and accredited Campus School currently serves about 100 students who reside on the Villa’s main campus while receiving treatment for serious emotional and behavioral issues. For special education teachers, the new audiovisual classroom – complete with a variety of camera and computer equipment, software, and large viewing screen – offers new ways to engage, inspire and instruct students who have struggled in previous school settings due to their difficulties.

The spacious room’s video display capabilities offer an ideal, relaxed setting for viewing of instructional and/or motivational presentations and films, as well as ample opportunity for hands-on learning, and developing practical computer and presentation skills. Working in collaboration with their teachers, Villa students will have the chance during the school year to create their own videos and presentations, and apply, illustrate and enhance their understanding of various academic subjects.

“The support and generosity of Toshiba Business Solutions, NY has given us a valuable and exciting way to teach and motivate Villa students and help them develop new skills,” says Campus School Principal Shelly Kordish. “This kind of community partnership helps us provide the best opportunities to the kids we serve and creates a very positive feeling. We are very grateful to Toshiba for their friendship and for giving this idea its wings.”

Toshiba Business Solutions, New York
150 Metro Park
Rochester, NY 14623
1-800-724-2480
Web: Toshiba Business Solutions, New York

St. Joseph’s Villa
3300 Dewey Avenue
Rochester, NY 14616
585.865.1550
www.stjosephsvilla.org