On July 14, 2026, MHY Family Services celebrated the opening of its new therapeutic kindergarten classroom with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community supporters, partners, donors, and board members. The milestone comes during a special year for Longmore Academy, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary of providing life-changing educational opportunities for students with unique learning and behavioral needs.
Before the ribbon was cut, guests enjoyed some treats from Mars local eatery, Nosh & Curd, and MHY CEO Samantha Ellwood reflected on the significance of the day and MHY’s continued investment in the children and families it serves. She thanked the many donors, partners, and supporters whose generosity helped bring the vision to life and reaffirmed MHY’s commitment to creating spaces where every child feels safe, supported, and inspired to learn.
“Our new kindergarten classroom is a testament to our commitment, created to ensure students can have their unique needs met individually while developing a love for education. We’re excited to share the space with you today.”
Located at Longmore Academy, the therapeutic kindergarten is designed for young learners whose emotional, behavioral, or developmental needs cannot be fully met in a traditional classroom. The program combines early childhood education with trauma-informed care, individualized instruction, and therapeutic supports, helping students build not only academic skills but also confidence, emotional regulation, and positive relationships.
The ribbon was cut by Maleah Olshefski, the niece of MHY Executive Assistant Renee Linderman. Every detail of the new classroom was created with students in mind, from flexible learning areas and calming sensory features to engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Through a partnership with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, the space also includes a life-size Lite-Brite installation that encourages creativity, exploration, and interactive play while supporting sensory development.
As Longmore Academy celebrates 25 years of serving students, the addition of the therapeutic kindergarten represents an exciting next chapter. It reflects MHY Family Services’ ongoing commitment to evolving alongside the needs of children and families and ensuring that even the youngest learners have access to the specialized support they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
