April 10, 2016                                                                                                       April E-News Issue 1

Nearly 50% of the children that attend Zach's Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center are on the autism spectrum.  During Autism Awareness Month, we'd like to highlight services that Zach's Place program provides families raising youth with disabilities and special needs.

ZACH'S PLACE FUN NIGHTS: Socialization is an important goal for our youth at Zach's Place. During the second Friday of every month, we offer a FUN NIGHT which is open to kids of all ages and abilities. We provide pizza, make dessert together, create a craft and play games.

ZACH'S TIME PLAYGROUPS: Every other Monday of every month, we offer a play time especially for children ages 2.5 - 5 years old of ALL abilities.  This fun time is for kids to play and make friends with other children their age.  We will have story time, sing songs, make a craft and have a snack.

ZACH'S PLACE SUMMER CAMP: During the summer we celebrate a different theme every week and base activities on the youth's ages and abilities including their interests and goals. We love taking our youth out in the community and safety is our first concern.  Our youth to staff ratio is 1:1 or 1:3.

To learn more about Zach's Place program and upcoming dates/times of the activities we provide, contact Tammy or Dani at 719-329-1717 or email  zachsplace@sksfcolorado.org.  You can also visit our website at www.SKSFcolorado.org.


To acknowledge National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Special Kids Special Families has teamed up with El Paso County DHS, Becky's World of Wonder Daycare, Savio House, Kids Crossing, Bethany Christian Services, Maple Star, Dungarvin and Griffith Centers/Chins Up to support foster children throughout the El Paso County area.   We are encouraging the community to donate new & gently used duffel bags, suitcases and unopened hygiene products & drop off at:
Colorado Springs Downtown YMCA
207 N Nevada Avenue
APRIL 23RD  |   10am-1:00pm
Refreshments will be provided.  Call your local YMCA for additional drop off sites during the week of 4/18-4/22. 


Strong, nurturing communities that are supportive of families can get involved and play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect and promoting child and family well-being.



Volunteers are worth their weight in gold! They share their time and talents without any compensation, so we'd like to acknowledge their contributions and let them know they are valued. We'd like to sincerely thank EVERY volunteer for taking the time and effort to assist our organization in accomplishing our mission TO PROMOTE, STRENGTHEN & SUPPORT individuals with disabilities and their families!

Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another.  ~ Erma Bombeck

Visit our SKSF Volunteer Network page on Facebook or our website for more volunteer opportunities available at Special Kids Special Families programs or contact Monika Hartman, SKSF Volunteer Coordinator at 719-447-8983 or email her at mhartman@sksfcolorado.org.








VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT
Kristy Weis

"Hi,  I'm Kristy and I'm 16 years old and a junior at Discovery Canyon High School. I started volunteering at Zach's Place because I absolutely love to work with kids who have special needs.  I love being able to see them grow and achieve new things. After my first few times volunteering, I knew that I would continue to do so. The staff is so welcoming and they always have fun activities for us, Its a great place!"

Kristy has spent hours at Zach's Place sorting through toys, organizing and caring for the youth.  She's also assisted in our Zach's Place Fun Nights. We appreciate all of her efforts and willingness to help.  With her bright smile, Kristy has a very caring nature and is a joy to be around. 

We greatly appreciate her efforts and welcome her as one of our valued SKSF Volunteers!


SKSF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES 
ZACH'S TIME PLAYGROUP
Monday, April 18th
9:00am - 12:00pm

Zach's Time Play Group is held at Zach's Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center at  4795 Granby Circle, Colorado Springs.  Especially for children ages 2.5 - 5 years old of ALL abilities.   What is Zach's Time?
A time available for young children of any ability to attend Zach's Place to play and make friends with other children their age.  We will have story time, sing songs, make a craft and have a snack.

Playgroups will be scheduled every other Monday.  $20/child to cover session costs. If you are interested in enrolling your child, contact Tammy at tmiklebost@sksfcolorado.org or call (719) 329-1717.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2016 COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR
Thursday, April 21st
5:00pm - 8:00pm

WHAT: The Pikes Peak Interagency Transition Team's (PPITT) annual resource fair provides individuals with disabilities and their families with opportunities to connect with community services meeting their individual interests and needs. In 2015, 90 agencies, including Special Kids Special Families along with several businesses and providers participated with nearly 300 people in attendance.  SKSF will participate again this year so COME JOIN US for some great informative information and resources.

WHEN: April 21, 2016, 5pm to 8pm.  A backup date of April 28, 2016 will be utilized if there is a snow day called for Colorado Springs School District 11.

WHERE: El Paso County Citizens Service Center, 1675 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Click here to print a flyer:
http://ppitt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/PPITT-Flyer-2016.jpg


     

There are so many ways you can make a difference to help us fund our programs and support individuals with disabilities and their families.  Here are some SIMPLE ways to help...


Use your everyday spending to help raise FUNDS for SKSF:

Amazon.Smiles.com -  Log in with your normal email address and password that you use and select SKSF as your charity to have .5% of your purchase to be donated.

Aspen Auto Clinic -  Purchase an Oil Change Discount Card for 5 oil changes & free tire rotation & SKSF earns $40 for each card sold!

Koscove Metal - Accepts metals of all kinds for recycling and donates a portion of monetary value to SKSF when drop off is identified for the organization.

King Soopers Gift Cards - Purchase a gift card for only $2.50 or $5.00 & SKSF receives 5% of your purchases at King Soopers (or any other Kroger family store) or fuel purchases (at Loaf-n-Jug).

Go Fund Me - SKSF has created an  online GoFundMe profile for Zach's Place Capital Campaign.  We are trying to raise $10,000 to help purchase the program facility to create a permanent home.  Any donation amount and any help you can give in spreading the word is appreciated.  Visit here to learn more about our Zach's Place Capital Campaign.

H&R Block -  Special Kids Special Families is partnering with H&R Block this tax season! Use referral code #40010001082325 and take it to the office when you have your tax return prepared. If you are a new H&R Block client, we will get a $20 contribution.




Please welcome Brian Botka!
He is our new Chief Operations Manager
for the Adult Services Program.

Please welcome Erica Vereen!
Her position is an Adult Mentor
for the ICAN Program.
Please welcome Matthew Mason!
His position is an Adult Mentor
for the ICAN Program. 

Please welcome Skye Yzaguirre!
Her position in our organization is an Adult Mentor
for the Joey's Place Program. 



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








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