Make a Splash with CPCD!
The Children’s Physical Developmental Clinic, also known as CPDC, is a long-standing organization of Bridgewater State University, having had a place on campus for 45 years. The organization’s mission statement describes itself as a program that “continues to assist individuals with disabilities to live more independent and productive lives. Moreover, the clinic program prepares young professionals for teaching and allied health careers, as well as community service and leadership roles throughout New England.” It is the largest organization on campus with 100 students volunteering each semester.
Volunteering is open to students from all majors. CPDC gives students the ability to work with children and adolescents from the age of 18 months to 18-year-olds with developmental needs. It meets every Saturday, with a child or adolescent getting individually paired with a volunteer student. At CPDC, the focus is “to improve the ‘total development’ of children with disabilities by enhancing vital physical, motor and aquatic skills and patterns. In addition, the program stresses the improvement of children’s self-esteem by strengthening emotional-social aspects of their personalities through successful involvement in play, recreation and sport activities.”
Student Casaundra Disalvatore (she/her) is a group leader for CPDC. When asked about her time with the program, she stated, “CPDC means a lot to me. It gives me something to look forward to after every week. It means that I get to surround myself with amazing children and amazing students here at BSU. I get to be with these kids for two and a half hours every Saturday for eight weeks straight, helping them and watching them grow.”
When asked what she would like students on campus to know about CPDC, she said, “CPDC is the best program I have ever been involved in. It gives me motivation to get through my weeks here at BSU because I know I get to make a difference in these kids’ lives. If you have never heard of CPDC, I [want to] inspire you to learn more and hopefully join!”
