March 13, 2016                                                                                              March E-News; Issue 2

A Travis family photo at Grandma's house
SPECIAL FAMILY SPOTLIGHT
The Travis Family

A Close Family Affair
Jordan Travis attends the SKSF Adult Program twice per week and according to his mother Diane, "He loves going out in the community, I know he really enjoys it. Jordan is a sweet kid, who likes to listen to music, is great at the computer and can pull up any song he wants to listen to."
 
Jordan loves hanging out with his family doing different activities.  They are involved with the YAC (Youth Activation Committee) through the Special Olympics in which Jordan and his brother Travis, are actively involved.  The family worked together on a float for the Parade of Lights and participated in the
Jordan  posing in his jersey
Torch Run this past summer when the Special Olympics torch was touring the country.
 
As avid Broncos fans, Jordan also attended a Broncos training camp and mingled with several NFL players.  Recently friends and family had a Super Bowl party where everyone was on the edge of their seats watching the game closely all having a great time just being together.  Everyone was ecstatic that they won!
 
Diane also volunteers at Special Kids Special Families teaching computer skills to adult participants in our Joey's Place program.  "I have a few of them that need minimal assistance.  Some of them had classes in school and are just learning a little more.  Some are really just learning how to manipulate the mouse, click, and look at the screen to see where the pointer is - which is really a tough skill for people with disabilities, it's teaching them how to multi task," says Diane.
 
The Travis family is a close, loving and caring family that spends quality time with each other enjoying every minute.  Thanks for sharing your "special" story.

SKSF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
ZACH'S PLACE FUN NIGHT
Friday, April 8th
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Zach's Place; 4795 Granby Circle

Socialization is an important goal for our youth at Zach's Place at The Laurie Hillyard Family Center. We offer a unique opportunity to meet this goal. Zach's Place 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.

Registration & intake process is required for participation.  Please allow 2 weeks to process.  Contact Tammy or Dani at 719-329-1717 or email:  zachsplace@sksfcolorado.orgLimited space so sign up today!


SKSF IN THE NEWS
GAZETTE MOVERS & SHAKERS
New SKSF Board Members Highlighted

The Gazette has featured two new SKSF Board Members in their "Movers and Shakers" column. Welcome Greg and Joyce to the SKSF Board of Directors!

"Special Kids Special Families, a nonprofit supporting people with disabilities, their families a nd caregiv ers, has announced that Greg Garrison, Sales Manager at Academy Bank, and Community Volunteer, Joyce Morgan, have joined the Special Kids Special Families Board of Directors. 

Garrison holds a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Northern Colorado and a master's in human resource management from Everest University. 

Morgan holds a bachelor's in American civilization and a master's in education, both from the University of Pennsylvania. She has donated her time to the Pioneers Museum, United Way and Leadership Pikes Peak, as well as other nonprofits."

Check out the article in the Gazette here:  http://gazette.com/movers-shakers/article/1569906
A BIG THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY

SPECIAL THANKS!

Our 7th Annual "Bowl for the Green" Bowl-A-Thon event on Saturday, March 12th was a success!

Thanks to our participants, volunteers and donors. 

Special thanks to Carol at King Pin Lanes and our sponsors, NuStar Energy, Greiner Electric, Vinton Law Firm, Berwick Electric, CIA Leavitt Insurance Agency, Simple CPR, Warren Management Group, Blazer Electric, Academy Bank and Biggs Kofford.

Also a big thanks goes out to the businesses that donated items to our drawing: Bambino's Pizzeria, Bronco Billy's Casino, Skirted Heifer, Denver Botanical Gardens, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, I Top It Yogurt, Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Mason Jar, Pure Bouldering Gym, Santa's Workshop, Trader Joe's, Olive Garden, Pizza Rustica, Little Monkey Bizness, Brakes Plus and Seven Two Partners for donating 4 tickets to the Denver Nuggets game.

We appreciate your support for our organization!  All proceeds from this event, which raised over $5,000, supports our Zach's Place program for children with disabilities and special needs providing respite and childcare to families.

SKSF Executive Director, Linda Ellegard, SKSF Board Member, Staci Bills and SKSF Fundraising/Event Coordinator, Lisa Kalell


THANKS TO EVERYONE
THAT PARTICIPATED 
in SKSF's 7th Annual
Bowl-A-Thon event!

SIBSHOPS WORKSHOPS
For Siblings of Children With Special Needs
Saturday, April 2nd, 3:00pm - 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.



click here to print flyer
THE NETWORK MEETING
A Networking & Educational Opportunity for Families Caring for Individuals with Disabilities

Families raising children with special needs repeatedly express frustration about not having the resources they required to not only meet their personal needs but those of their children.  Through these requests, Special Kids Special Families established The Network, a forum where families can learn about resources in the community and to establish support and interactions with other parents that are on the same journey and are keenly aware of their own personal struggles. The Network meets on a quarterly basis.  Please JOIN US for a relaxing time with people who share your journey.  Light refreshments will be served.
 
DATE:  Friday, April 8th, 2016
TIME:  6:00pm - 8:00pm
TOPIC:  Alternative Therapeutic Approach for Special Needs
LOCATION:  Zach's Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center
4795 Granby Circle,  Colorado Springs, CO 80919
RSVP: Linda Ellegard, 719-447-8983 x19 or lellegard@sksfcolorado.org
     

We have recently created a
GoFundMe account to help raise funds for our Zach's Place respite care center .  Our goal is to purchase the facility to create a permanent home for the program.  During this campaign, we ask that you take a few moments to view, share with others through social media (Facebook/Twitter) or email to  co-workers, family and friends.  

We greatly appreciate your support of our organization and your help in SPREADING THE WORD!

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.






Please welcome  Lynn Liggett.
Her position in our organization is a
Foster Care Home Supervisor in the CPA Program.
Please welcome Alexis Shull.
Her position in our organization is a
Direct Care Provider for Zach's Place Program.





Would YOU like to join SKSF and be part of a team?
We are now hiring for the following positions:
 
 
 
 





STAY CONNECTED: