In celebration of our 10th Anniversary, ELG has adopted Xiersen Children’s Center, an officially-registered Chinese non-profit organization, as our sister NGO. Xiersen impacts children with Autism Spectrum Disorder by providing training to parents, caretakers, and special education professionals. ELG supports Xiersen as our sister NGO through financial, in-kind, and programmatic support.
Xiersen was officially registered through a consortium of local professionals, business people, philanthropists, and ELG founders Andrew Hill, Dr. Shari Rosen, and YaPing Zhao.
During April, Autism Awareness Month, Xiersen and ELG are participating in two events designed to raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder in China.
Autism Awareness Day – April 2nd
Organized by Xiersen and hosted by the Shanghai Pudong Special Education School, the day featured a host of activities to raise awareness of autism. Activities included talks, dance, arts, sports, and more. Experts were available on-site to answer questions about Autism Spectrum Disorder and related therapies. ELG staff participated as the international experts, with our specialists leading educational sessions on different therapies that help children with special needs.
Run in Blue – April 9th – ELG proud to be a Platinum Sponsor!
On April 9, Run in Blue, a 5KM run, will be held to celebrate Autism Awareness Month and raise funds for Xiersen Children’s Services. The event is being sponsored by Rotaract, the youth wing of the Shanghai Rotary Club. ELG will be sending a team to run in the race and is the Platinum sponsor of the event.
“It has been our long-time dream to find a local, officially-registered NGO to work with in order to improve the condition of special education in China for local children and families. We are delighted to adopt Xiersen, and are looking forward to bringing our unique expertise to local educators and parents.”
– Monte Rosen, ELG’s Co-Founder and Managing Director
About Andrew Hill
Andrew has been in China since 1989 and has founded several companies. He has been involved in extensive charitable activities. In 2006, he was a co-founder of The Essential Learning Group. In 2010 he won the Shanghai Charity Star Award. More recently, he is the President of The Shanghai Rotary Club for the 2016-2017 year and a co-founder of Xiersen.
About Dr. Shari Rosen
Shari has been in China since 2003. She was the original founder and inspiration for The Essential Learning Group, as she was the sole practicing special education resource in Shanghai when she first moved here. It was Shari’s vision to create ELG, especially for the purpose of bringing foreign specialists to China and training local Chinese staff. Ten years later, she is the Director of ELG’s Innovative Learning Center. ELG has grown into an organization of 70 staff members with over 25 foreign experts and many local staff with extensive training. She is on the Board of Xiersen.
About YaPing Zhao
Yaping, a philanthropist, has always wanted to do something for children and families with special needs. After she learned about The Essential Learning Group, she decided to get involved and eventually became one of the founders of Xiersen. Yaping has been doing her best to help with the development of special education in China ever since.
