Bart A. Grenier's Schools

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Class of 1987 MS in Finance and Management

Bart A. Grenier's Publications

• The American Ireland Fund November, 2010 by Bart Grenier Founded over a quarter-century ago, The American Ireland Fund is part of a global network of charities dedicated to supporting the country of Ireland, as well as those of Irish descent. Utilizing its resources to spearhead peace efforts, arts and culture initiatives, actionable education, and community development, The American Ireland Fund holds distinction as one of the largest non-profit organization of its kind in the world. To date, The American Ireland Fund has raised approximately $300 million, joining its parent association, The Ireland Funds, in contributing to the activities of more than 1,200 other non-profits with similar goals. Maintaining a presence in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Chicago, Palm Beach, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, The American Ireland Fund collaborates with Ireland Funds in 11 other countries, lending assistance to a range of charitable ventures. Meaningfully affecting the lives of Irish Americans across the country and around the world, The American Ireland Fund is committed to facilitating the work of programs such as the Campaign for Catholic Schools, a program based in Boston, Massachusetts. Focusing its efforts in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, the Campaign for Catholic Schools provides educational and job opportunities to Dorchester’s underserved residents, many of who live beneath the national poverty line. The American Ireland Fund sponsors the Peace and Reconciliation Program at the University of Massachusetts. Overseen by Padraig O’Malley, the University’s John Joseph Moakley Chair, the Peace and Reconciliation Program advocates for democracy and cultural understanding, through numerous seminars and educational conferences, championing world peace in countries where social unrest threatens to undermine citizen’s quality of life. Additional projects backed by The American Ireland Fund include The Forgotten Irish Campaign, Teachnet, PeacePlayers International, the Pushkin Prizes Trust, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Concern in Sierra Leone, Energy Action, the Baboro International Arts Festival, Habitat for Humanity N.I., the Irish Immigration Center, the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund, and the Special Olympics, among numerous others. To discover more about The American Ireland Fund, visit www.irlfunds.org.

• The Benefits of Running, Bart A. Grenier December, 2010 By: Bart A. Grenier Mr. Bart A. Grenier maintains an active lifestyle by engaging in a number of sports, including tennis and running. One of the most productive individual sports, running offers multiple mental and physical health benefits. Not only do runners enjoy higher levels of confidence and self-esteem, but they also boast a minimized risk of many cancers, stroke, and heart diseases. Doctors often suggest that patients with family histories of diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis run regularly to defend against the diseases’ onset. In general, runners display elevated levels of healthy cholesterol, greater lung capacities, a reduced number of blood clots, and a higher concentration of lymphocytes, which bolster the immune system. As individuals age, running becomes even more beneficial since it strengthens bones and muscles, which often atrophy to some extent from disuse. Regular runners also report lower levels of stress in their quotidian lives, increasing their productivity and self-confidence. Setting and achieving individual running goals gives runners a consistent feeling of success and teaches them valuable lessons in focus and determination, also applicable to other endeavors in their lives. From a practical perspective, running limits athletes in no way; since there is no need for other participants or specialized gear other than shoes, they can run whenever and wherever they want. The most effective runners, however, adhere to a few simple rules. First, always stretch before and after running to lower its impact on muscles and prevent injury. Second, breathe rhythmically and deeply, using full lung capacity. Third, run softly, landing on the mid-foot rather than the heel. The heel to toe motion should be used only to slow down and stop. Fourth, stay hydrated before, during, and after exercise. Finally, don’t push the pace too hard. Recognize and respect limits.

• Autism Speaks Provides Hope for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Bart A. Grenier January, 2011 Autism Speaks by Bart A. Grenier Slightly less than one percent of children in America have disorders that fall somewhere on the autism spectrum. The spectrum ranges from very low functioning to high functioning, but in all forms, autism spectrum disorders may cause significant difficulties with socialization and communication. Children with these kinds of developmental disorders often display similar traits, such as lack of eye contact, delayed speech and language, strict adherence to structure and routine, obsessive interests, and echolalia. Recognizing autism in young children can be notoriously difficult and many children don’t receive an accurate diagnosis until they are older, which prevents them from getting the specialized services they need. This presents a problem, since early intervention functions as the best way to help children gain important social and life skills. Autism Speaks uses a multi-faceted approach to resolve many of the issues associated with autism. Along with providing a community where people with autism and their families can come together and gain political voices, the organization works throughout the world to fund biomedical research on treatment, prevention, and causes. Autism Speaks also offers assistance to families, educational outreach, and legal advocacy focused on reforming insurance coverage to include autism treatment modalities. I strongly support the initiatives and activities of Autism Speaks. I believe that through research, education, advocacy, and awareness, we can create better lives for those living with autism spectrum disorders. To get involved or to give, visit AutismSpeaks.org.

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