What is RiteCare
In the early 1950s in Colorado, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States initiated a program to help children with speech and language disorders. The results obtained from this program led to the establishment of RiteCare Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program (SRCLP) clinics to provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment of speech and language disorders, as well as learning disabilities.
There are over 170 clinics nationwide, and two Scottish Rite hospitals in Texas. While some offer a full scope of services, some do not. The Phoenix Scottish Rite offers free Literacy help for teens and adults, free student evaluations, free SLP vouchers for children through a partnership with Arizona State University as well we inexpensive hearing tests for Masonic members.
Our Mission
To provide free literacy classes to teens and adults as well as evaluations of students. In addition, support needs-based financial help to those with reading disorders such as Dyslexia through partnerships with local Universities. To provide the opportunity for children to receive professional literacy help we cannot perform and, lastly, defray the cost of hearing tests for fellow Masons through our collaborations.
Our Vision
To improve the reading and comprehension skills of children, teens, and adults to last a lifetime and thus improve their quality of life.
What do we do?
The Phoenix RiteCare Center located in Glendale Arizona provides free Literacy classes for young teens and adults as well as free literacy evaluations, and currently vouchers (currently administered at Arizona State University) for SPELL II summer camp for kids and vouchers targeting special needs Dyslexic children separately.
Who are our Partners?
We work as a part of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite and its network of RiteCare centers nationwide. Specifically, in Arizona, we are associated with the Wings On Words center in Tucson and collaborate heavily with Arizona State University Speech and Hearing Clinic in Tempe. We are currently reaching out to other institutions within the Valley.
Literacy and Voucher programs
We arrange small Literacy classes with volunteer coaches using 160 audio-visual lessons. Additionally, we offer vouchers through our Foundation as well as reading and comprehension evaluations in partnership with ASU.
Why do we need volunteers?
As classes increase, the need for volunteers is great. They are at the core of our philanthropy. Current or past educators, retirees, and people from diverse backgrounds can teach the organized audio/visual classes with little minimal effort and some training. We also need people who can occasionally transport students as needed as well as SLP students or others skilled in the area of evaluation are also of great help.
Become a Donor
We operate on a limited and somewhat fixed budget based on investments that allow charity for many years as properly managed. Therefore, donations on a one-time basis or over the course of time, are a great boon to our programs. As a volunteer organization, we have a very low overhead expense and you can be assured that the vast majority of monies spent go towards the students, books, materials, class computers, vouchers, and scholarships through the Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
Make a Donation by sending a check made out to: The Phoenix Scottish Rite Foundation, and mail to: 7726 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301. All donations are tax-deductible!
Phoenix RiteCare Services
Evaluation Assessment
Student evaluations are a necessary preliminary step to determine what the student’s current literacy and reading skills are now, where they are weakest and if the program is right for them. We also use them in our Literacy class as progress checks both in the beginning, mid-point, and end of the Literacy program.
Voucher
Vouchers are fixed sums for services we do not offer but allow other institutions to use with students. These usually are for children’s programs. They are limited in number and must be approved in use with an accredited institution for specific Speech and language Pathology purposes. They are offered to students with low financial means to help defray the cost of training or instruction.
Hearing Test
This program offers all Arizona Masons to get greatly reduced-cost hearing test evaluations at the Arizona State University Speech & Hearing Clinic. While open and available to all applicants through ASU, a reduced rate for Masons has been negotiated ($35.00) by presenting your dues card at the clinic.
Application
Welcome to the Phoenix Scottish Rite Foundation. We are an Arizona state philanthrophy that provides grants to its speech-language partners to help defray the cost of speech & language therapy for qualified children and their families. The Foundation also awards some undergraduate & graduate-level scholarships in speech-language pathology. These scholarships are awarded, on a competitive basis, to first and second-year Masters Degree students in Arizona attending Colleges and Universities here.
Please choose what you are applying for:
- You must have an interview, be of sound mind and body, a desire to help those in need and be of good morals.
- The Foundation does need help in:
- Maintaining the Website
- Treasurer assistance for accounts and record keeping as well as responding to messages that come to the Foundation and RiteCare.
- Drivers who can be on call to pick up, deliver and return students for Literacy Classes
Would you like to be a Volunteer?
There are many ways to help. While we gladly accept donations from students, if they can and are able, we welcome any financial or other means of donation from generous people supporting our efforts to improve students scholastically, be they a student improving themselves or a future teacher or SLP practitioner.
Coach
Coaches are the backbone of the Literacy Program. Our Facilitators train the coaches to conduct the audio/visual lessons, provide direct help to students and oversee their work & progress. They arrange the Literacy evaluations, when and where the classes will be held and by whom. It’s a vital role and one the provides great satisfaction as the student progresses and graduates.
Driver
Occasionally students need a lift. A driver must have a valid license, insurance and time to take a student to class.. maybe even a coach.
Evaluator
To assess a students needs at both the sound & word level by initial measurement and subsequent progress. Evaluators are vital to see how students have grasped the various aspects of reading, listening, speaking, writing and comprehension in 15 measured subtest categories.
We adhere to HIPPA guidelines both in the website security and pertaining to student identities both in the literacy classes and evaluations of students. Furthermore, our staff undergoes Arizona Dept. Of Public Safety background checks of personnel interacting with underage and adult students.
Classes and Events Schedule
Classes and Events Schedule
Classes and Events Schedule