February E-News - Issue 1                                                      February 1, 2016


It's not only Valentine's Day this month but did you know it's also leap year?  Yep, February has 29 days this year - which gives us an extra day!  We're LEAPING into the month and are excited to share some great news and program happenings with our fans and friends of SKSF.  We hope you take advantage of this extra day this year and spend it doing something EXTRA SPECIAL filled with LOVE for someone else.

In this month's E-News, take a quick glance and see what we're up to and ways you can make a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve.

T hanks for taking the time to read...

SKSF IN THE NEWS


INDY GIVE CHECK PRESENTATION
Zach's Place Program Director Receives Check

Zach's Place Program Director, Renae Isakson, takes the honor in receiving the Indy Give campaign check this past week.  With the help of the campaign, which ran from 11/1 - 12/31/15, matching grants and donations, Special Kids Special Families raised over $20,000 to help support the Zach's Place program.  The money raised will help families with needed respite and child care for their children (ages 2.5 - 21) with developmental disabilities and special needs. 

We are grateful and humbled by the generosity of the community during this campaign and once again thank everyone for their contribution.
SKSF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
Zach's Place Kids Visit The Space Foundation

Zach's Place facility and the  Space Foundation are practically neighbors - located just around the corner.  The Zach's Place kids visited the Space Foundation and received a personal tour as well as a presentation on the planets and space from George who was well revered by the kids for all of his knowledge.  "Jedi George" definitely made an impression on his young "Padawan" learners as they talked about the presentation for days.
 
Thanks once again to our friends at the Space Foundation who gave us a discount on admission and did such a great job with our kids.
JUST FUN & GAMES
BINGO and Musical Chairs at ICAN!

The newest game that's all the rage with the participants at the ICAN Program ( Integrated Community Accessibility and Networking) is Bingo.  The staff get requests to play Bingo daily along with a number version of musical chairs that uses numbers placed on the floor without anyone left out when the music stops.  Winners occasionally receive a prize and that has invigorated their desire to play more games; hence the dramatic increase in requests. 

"We filled a tub with beanie babies as prizes," said Mary Matheys, Program Staff, "and everyone loves to play!  The prizes just add to the excitement of the activity."

ICAN Program staff work diligently to create new and engaging activities that allow participants to practice and enhance life and social skills on an ongoing basis.

VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHTS


READING AT JOEY'S PLACE
We continue to increase the quality in our clients
daily experience by bringing in different people
who offer a variety of opportunities. We had the
pleasure of bringing in Danielle Romberg. Danielle
spent time at Joey's Place, reading to our clients. 

MORE CLEANING & ORGANIZING
We are also thankful for volunteers, Joseph Gums and Tammi Wells. Joseph helped out at the Administration building by raking leaves. Tammi has been volunteering her time scanning documents for us.

USAF ACADEMY CADETS
We have some new volunteers who are Cadets
at the USAF Academy. Ryan Fulton and Gabriella
Gray  helped out at the Adult Services program
to organize closets. What a GREAT help they were!


We will continue to welcome new groups and individuals who enjoy sharing with our ever growing family.

If you are interested in VOLUNTEERING with Special Kids Special Families, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Monika at 719-447-8983 or email her at [email protected].

We look forward to continued success in our Volunteer Program at SKSF!


SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Your sponsorship support allows us to serve as many families as possible at our Zach's Place program.   It allows us not to turn anyone away because of an inability to pay.  Because of the high demand of physical and emotional needs of children with special needs, parents, families and caretakers need a break.  They need respite time to rest and rejuvenate, spend time with other families members, attend education classes, pursue hobbies or other interests or just be able to work.

We are offering several SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES throughout the year to help support many of our events to help raise funds for our Zach's Place program.  If you are interested, contact Lisa Kalell, Fundraising/Event Coordinator at 719-447-8983 or [email protected].

 
UPCOMING EVENTS
     
ZACH'S TIME PLAYGROUPS
Monday, February 8th & February 22nd
9:00am - 12:00pm
4795 Granby Circle, Colorado Springs

What is Zach's Time?
A time available for ALL young children of any ability to attend Zach's Place to play and make friends with other children their age.  We have story time, sing songs, make age appropriate crafts and have a snack.  Playgroups are scheduled every other Monday.

Space is limited so be sure to sign up today!  $20/session per child. Contact Tammy at (719) 329-1717 or  [email protected].
ZACH'S PLACE FUN NIGHT
Friday, February 12th: VALENTINE'S Theme
5:30-8:30pm
Socialization is an important goal for our youth at Zach's Place at The Laurie Hillyard Family Center. We offer two unique opportunities to meet this goal. Fun Nights are the second Friday of every month and are open to all ages and abilities. We provide pizza, make dessert together, create a craft and play games.

ZACH'S PLACE TEEN NIGHT
Friday, February 12th, 5-9:30pm 

Zach's Place will have Teen Night at the  Tim Tebow Foundation "Night to Shine" event, a prom for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year the prom will be held at the  Pikes Peak Christian Church.. for more info -  http://www.pikespeakchristian.org/nighttoshine/.

Teen Nights start back up in March and will be available to teens age 13 & older who work well independently. We provide pizza and do different activities every month.

Registration & intake process is required for participation.  Please allow 2 weeks to process.  Contact Tammy Miklebost at 719-329-1717 or  [email protected].  Limited space.

SIBSHOPS WORKSHOPS
For Siblings of Children With Special Needs
Saturday, February 6th & February 27th, 3-4:30pm 

Sibshops is a monthly program run by SKSF connecting and supporting siblings of children with disabilities, helping them recognize a community of peers in similar situations.  Through fun and age appropriate activities with others in similar situations, they develop bonds, understanding and a support group all their own.

Advanced Registration is required and space is limited! Sibshops is sponsored by  The Arc Pikes Peak Region.



     

REGISTER YOUR TEAM TODAY!
Lanes are LIMITED so don't miss out!



     
While shopping online at Amazon.com, log in with your normal email address and password that you use and select SKSF as your charity of choice!  SKSF will receive .5% of all purchases made through this link:
 
Purchase an oil change discount card for 5 oil changes AND free tire rotation and SKSF earns $40 for each card sold!   Print out an informational flyer online!

Koscove Metal accepts all kinds of recycling and donates a portion of monetary value to SKSF when drop off is identified for the organization.  Visit  koscovemetal.com for acceptable recycling materials.
 

When you purchase a reloadable King Soopers Gift Card for $2.50, you provide support to Special Kids Special Families (SKSF) while you do your normal shopping at King Soopers (or any other Kroger Family Store) and while you receive your normal benefits, such as accruing fuel points. SKSF will receive a cash donation worth 5% of your purchases.


     
Be sure to mark your calendar for Upcoming Events and important DATES to remember

Visit our NEW  CALENDAR OF EVENTS
 page on our website for detailed information
on all  upcoming events and fundraisers.

FEBRUARY 8th -    Zach's Time Playgroup

FEBRUARY 12th  -  Zach's Place Fun Night

FEBRUARY 12th  -  Zach's Place TEEN Night




OCTOBER 1st -  Night of Comedy fundraiser

     
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
join_our_team_sign.jpg
Would YOU like to join SKSF
and be part of a team?

We are now hiring  for the following positions:
 



STAY CONNECTED: