Home Depot Workshop Teaches St. Mary’s Kids Building & Construction Skills

Workshop Encourages Therapeutic & Rehabilitative Therapies

Patients in St. Mary’s Pediatric Day Healthcare Program are gaining valuable life-building skills and motivational tools at a kids workshop hosted by popular appliance franchise, Home Depot, in Whitestone, Queens.

The first Saturday of every month, St. Mary’s kids visit the Queens store where they are equipped with a construction kit and apron with their names on it, just like Home Depot associates, and let their creative minds soar as they design and build inventive projects out of wood such as picture frames, spice racks, and tool boxes.

St. Mary’s kids are some of New York’s most seriously ill and injured children with special needs challenged by a wide array of disabilities due to serious illness, injury or complications of premature birth. The innovative “wood building” workshop allows young patients to practice fine motor skills, socialization, and community integration, while helping to instill a do-it-yourself attitude.

The hands-on approach exercises, also teaches patients tool and educational safety, building and construction skills, and gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment. St. Mary’s kids were particularly happy that they were allowed to take home their completed masterpieces so they could showcase their skills and hard work to their families.

St. Mary’s Hospital for Children is one the regions premiere providers of post-acute pediatric care providing intensive rehabilitation, specialized medical care, and education to over 4,000 children with special needs through inpatient and homecare programs and services. St. Mary’s Pediatric Day Healthcare Program (PDHC) offers therapeutic and medical after-school, weekend, and summer camp programs for children 5-18 years of age and young adults from 18-25 years of age who have cognitive and physical disabilities.

Through dynamic therapies and workshops, such as this one, that encourage independence and promote everyday skills, PDHC children and young adults learn to heal, grow and thrive, and reach their fullest potential.

Home Depot is the fastest growing retailer in U.S. history and carries national brands specializing in home improvement and construction products and services.

St. Mary’s is proud to partner with Home Depot on this exciting opportunity that helps to provide the life-building skills St. Mary’s renowned nurses and therapists encourage.