“The kindness, friendship, encouragement and support which Lindsay receives through the EST program have done for her what our many other efforts just couldn’t accomplish. I see her skills being validated, her enthusiasm encouraged, and she is so positively responding to being valued as a person.”

- Lindsay’s mother, Paula

“I can’t wait to go to work each day when I get up! I get so excited sometimes I wake up at 5:00 in the morning!

I get to see all my friends, work on inventory, art projects, and manage some of our products. 

I hope to stay here with all my new friends. It feels good here, and we are doing good work together, welcoming people to the teahouse and helping with all the things we need to do.”

- Sonali Reynolds

"It's taken a long time to find a place where she belongs. But now at EST, she's taken a leadership role; she's helping the new kids learn how to do things.” 

- Sonali’s dad, John Reynolds

“Our son Dan’s life has been changed through his opportunity to be part of ExtraSpecialTeas - a place of light, learning, and belonging to a larger family.

Dan’s world as a young adult with Down syndrome living at home was becoming isolated and he was gradually losing interest in life.Now Dan is able to share his strengths with the EST group, with schools, area artists, and other families. Dan has grown into a proud and independent young man, with an active role in our Berkshire community.”

- Dan's mom, Donna Leap Waite