The Sammy Center background

While working as a Special Needs Liaison in the education system, Maria Soter encountered a problem: too many children with challenging behaviours did not qualify for additional support because they did not have any diagnosable disabilities.

These 'does not qualify' results were heartbreaking, as they meant children who had a real need for individual support were left to fend for themselves in a one-size-fits-all system.

Thus, the idea for The Sammy Center was born.

The mission

Maria gave up her job to go all-in on creating a school. But not just a school—a place where children who don’t fit into traditional systems can find belonging, support, and care.

The Sammy Center provides a safe place of education and support for all children, regardless of whether they have a diagnosed disability or not. It is 100% referral-based, too—families are connected through other schools, therapists, doctors, and community programmes that recognise a child’s needs exceed what they can provide.

The programme maintains a staff of trained educators who, with their 1:3 teacher-to-student ratio, ensure every child has consistent guidance and care. The team serves children across the full developmental spectrum, including:

• Speech and communication challenges
• Sensory processing needs
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Trauma-related behaviours
• Diagnosed and undiagnosed developmental differences

The goal is to provide both standard learning and social-emotional education, helping children understand big feelings, regulate their emotions, and build foundational skills that last far beyond preschool.

The goal

Maria’s goal is to create a dedicated space that houses not only preschool, infant, and kindergarten classrooms, but also integrated professionals—speech therapists, occupational therapists, behavioural specialists, and psychologists—working together under one roof.

A place where families do not have to piece together care from multiple providers. A place where children are seen, supported, and celebrated.

That is the kind of impact that changes lives.

To donate to The Sammy Center, contact thesammycenter@gmail.com