Philanthropy

Philanthropy

Inhumanitas Omni Aetate Molesta Est….inhumanity is harmful in every age.

It is the expectation of the Creator that every individual actively participate in helping those around them who are less fortunate through no fault of their own. The members of the Wichita Scottish Rite endeavor to fulfill this obligation through a number of different efforts. The Wichita Scottish Rite is proud to support three different philanthropies, which include RiteCare® Speech, Language and Hearing Clinics, ROTC and JROTC programs, and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.

Speech Language and Literacy Clinics

ritecareIn the early 1950s in Colorado, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States initiated a program to help children with speech and language disorders. The results obtained from this program led to the establishment of RiteCare clinics to provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment of speech and language disorders, as well as learning disabilities.

brad-paisleyToday, there are 178 RiteCare® clinics, centers, and special programs operating or planned for children and therapists located throughout the United States. Each facility is staffed by speech-language pathologists or other trained personnel. Through the support of Scottish Rite members, these clinics, centers, and programs continue to increase. The value of this philanthropy has long been apparent. Tens of thousands of youngsters across the United States have been helped significantly. With the good work of dedicated clinicians and parents, the Scottish Rite has achieved successes that could only be imagined a few years back. Children who might have remained educationally behind for a lifetime can now talk, read, and lead productive lives.

wsuLocally, the Wichita Valley Scottish Rite sponsored RiteCare® Clinic is located inside the Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic on the campus of Wichita State University. Our local RiteCare® clinic is a part of this network of clinics and supports the mission by locally helping those youngsters in need (through no fault of their own) to overcome their correctable impediments and progress to live full, productive lives in society.

Funding for the RiteCare® Program is provided by the Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, Inc., and local Scottish Rite Foundations. From 1999 until about 2016, the annual Champagne and Chocolate evening event was the primary Wichita fundraiser for the local clinic.

100% of the proceeds from our events go directly to help fund the local clinic on the campus of Wichita State University!

Directory of RiteCare® Clinics, Centers, & Programs

Program Eligibility

rotc

As a rule, the RiteCare® Clinics accept preschool children who have difficulty speaking or understanding the spoken word or school-age children who have difficulty learning to read. Some centers also offer literacy training for adults. Inquiries on age groups and program offerings in specific areas should be addressed to the director of the local Scottish Rite facility. Equally important, all services are available regardless of race, creed, or the family’s inability to pay. While all children in need are eligible for available RiteCare® Program treatment, please consult with your local clinic for specific financial information.

JROTC Program

rotcCommencing in 1998 and approved by the Assistant Secretary of Defense, the Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, initiated a program of recognition for outstanding Junior ROTC students. This initiative recognizes high school youth enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) unit for their scholastic excellence and patriotic Americanism efforts. The award consists of a medal, ribbon and a certificate suitable for framing.
Commencing in 2002, and approved by the Assistant Secretary of Defense, the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, instituted a similar award for ROTC cadets. Like the JROTC Award Program, the recipient receives three recognitions: a certificate suitable for framing, a medal, and a ribbon.

Elsewhere: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital

texas-scottish-rite-hospital-for-childrenTSRHC treats Texas children with orthopedic conditions, such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hand disorders, hip disorders and limb length differences, as well as certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia.