Georgia’s International Order of the Rainbow for Girls donate $1,066.41to Atlanta Speech School.
- Date: 05/08/21
- Author: Maria - GA SMA 2020
April 17, 2021 – Autumn Asbill, a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG) and youth leader for the State Officers of Georgia, delivered school supplies valued at $1,066.41 to Atlanta Speech School. The school supplies were donated by the organization’s members.
IORG is a leadership and service organization for girls ages 10 to 20 and there are 15 assemblies throughout the state of Georgia. Each year, the organization focuses their service efforts on one cause or charity. In 2020-21, the organization focused on communication disorders and organizations that support children overcoming these challenges. At each state-wide meeting, members bought a designated school supply for Atlanta Speech School.
Atlanta Speech School provides programs for children to gain essential language and literacy foundations, specifically for children with speech and/or language delays and children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Nearly 1 in 12 (7.7%) U.S. children ages 3-17 are diagnosed with a voice, speech, language, or swallowing disorder in a 12-month period. (www.nidcd.nih.gov). Atlanta Speech School also specializes in dyslexia through their Wardlaw School – one of the nation’s leading schools for children with dyslexia.
Autumn’s brother, Noah, was diagnosed with dyslexia and she understand the struggle to ensure
he was provided with the right resources to achieve his educational and literacy goals. Living in
Savannah, Atlanta Speech School is not an option, but luckily Noah received free therapy from
RiteCare® at Georgia Southern University. The RiteCare® Center at Georgia Southern University is
supported by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite – Valley of Savannah, in keeping with the
national philanthropic program of the Scottish Rite Masons to support speech and hearing
clinics. Today there are numerous RiteCare® clinics, centers and special programs operating or
planned throughout the United States. Through this philanthropic effort, RiteCare® Centers have
significantly helped tens of thousands of children across the United States improve their
communication skills in order to improve their lives.
In June, Georgia Rainbow will make a monetary contribution to RiteCare at the annual convention in order to help more kids like Noah, reach their potential.
Pictured – Erica Welch (Program Director of the Katherine Hamm Center at Atlanta Speech School) and Autumn Asbill (2020-2021 Grand Worthy Advisor, State of Georgia IORG)
About the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
The Grand Assembly of Georgia is a registered nonprofit organization and a subsidiary of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. In 1922, Rainbow was created for young women whose fathers were members of the Masonic Lodge, and their friends. Although a Christian minister named W. Mark Sexson founded the organization, today the leaders of Rainbow Girls respect and welcome all girls from every religion, and Masonic affiliation is not required. Rainbow continues to evolve to ensure our organization establishes the foundation for our members to become leaders in their communities, state, and on the national platform. Throughout our 99 years, the basis cornerstones remain the same – faith, hope, and charity.
Mission Statement - The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls prepares girls for responsible and purposeful adulthood through character and leadership development, encouraging unselfish service and higher ideals in life, and promoting teamwork and effective interpersonal communication.
To learn more about Georgia’s International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, please visit www.gaiorg.org.
State Media Contact:
Maria Allen Smith
404.375.7745