16 Dec “CATA fosters a vital community for people with disabilities”
CATA donors Kate & Sarah Burdsall
Kate and Sarah Burdsall are passionate about creating a community where every person is celebrated for their talents and abilities. When they first learned about CATA’s work nearly 20 years ago, they knew they wanted to jump in and make a difference.
“CATA is so important to the Berkshires and to the community of people with disabilities,” says Kate, who serves as Special Education Director with Berkshire Hills Regional School District. “CATA’s focus on abilities instead of disabilities is so important. It’s all about developing skills, personal growth, and inclusion.”
“CATA fosters a vital community for people with disabilities,” says Sarah, a physical education teacher with Lenox Public Schools. “They become friends and develop connections and relationships with each other. That’s so important. Without CATA, it might not happen.”
Kate and Sarah have been supporters since CATA’s early days—as volunteers, gala committee members, and donors. Kate, a former board member, now serves on CATA’s Advisor & Ambassador Council— a newly created advisory group that engages people with disabilities and those closest to them to help guide CATA’s work.
“I’ve worked with people with disabilities since I was in college,” says Kate. “It’s so important to me to be an advocate for people with disabilities, for them to be fully valued members of our community. CATA does just that. CATA brings this value and their contributions to light.”
A growing part of CATA’s work, and one that’s near to Kate and Sarah’s hearts, is in local schools. CATA now partners with 9 school districts to provide arts programs for 400 students with special needs. Kate sees the impact of CATA first hand.
“Our students benefit so much from CATA,” says Kate. “After each workshop, we see so much growth in their self-confidence, self-esteem, and social skills. The students practice and develop skills through CATA, and build on their successes from week to week. It’s simply incredible.”
Looking back to her time teaching at Lenox High School, Kate recalls CATA’s first workshops in her classroom. “Now, those students are in their 30s— and they’re still involved with CATA today. It’s been a tremendous experience for them.”
As donors, Kate and Sarah know how vital their support is to keep CATA programs going for people with disabilities.
“It’s such an easy choice to support CATA,” say Kate and Sarah. “Seeing the artists, their joy and passion. And the ways our whole community is touched by CATA’s work. CATA is an amazing organization doing amazing work. It’s so important to support them however you can.”
“CATA isn’t just a building, it’s not just a place with classes. CATA is truly about relationships and community. They’re bringing together so many different groups of people. We love being a part of that.”