To promote, strengthen & support individuals with disabilities, their families & caregivers
NOVEMBER 2020
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November is National Adoption Month AND National Family Caregivers Month. During this time of uncertainty, Special Kids Special Families would like to share two special stories of LOVE and DEVOTION. Please take a moment to read.. it will brighten your day to know that there are really great people out there supporting kids and helping them succeed at life! These folks are truly HEROES and we honor and thank them!
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3 adopted boys with Qiana's son; L to R - Vern, 12; Verndal, 10; Tristan, 8; Qadar, 4 |
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SIBLINGS STAY TOGETHER - FOSTER TO ADOPTION!
At Special Kids Special Families we have seen several families grow this year. One amazing story involves three young boys who’ve spent most of their lives in foster care. The oldest boy entered the system in 2009 due to substance abuse by his biological mother. He was soon joined by two siblings. In 2012, the boys were put in the care of a Special Kids Special Families foster mother. During that time the woman’s daughter, Qiana Garner, often took the children to appointments and engaged in fun activities with them, forming a special bond. The boys were briefly placed in the home of a relative in 2017, only to return to an SKSF family within months. Ms. Garner had maintained her relationship with the boys and in June of 2018 they were placed into her care full time. On October 15, 2020 Qiana Garner was able to adopt the three boys; Vern, 12, Verndal, 10 and Tristan, 8. “We were watching on the virtual Zoom and crying through the adoption” said Sandra Dunlap, SKSF Child Placement Agency Program Director. READ MORE
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Logan with Mom at Chuck E Cheese |
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GRANDMOM CARES FOR GRANDSON
“When Logan was born it was love at first sight and I was so excited as any first time grandparent would be. When he was about a year old, we identified a speech delay and just before he turned two after taking him to a playgroup, we noticed an unusual reaction as he would get very upset and cry. After several tests, Logan was diagnosed with Autism and began receiving therapy and speech services from The Shandy Clinic. Things were progressing smoothly for Logan until his Mother became ill. During this time, my schedule allowed me to care for Logan full-time. READ MORE
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SECRET SANTA CAME EARLY THIS YEAR!
A woman in Colorado Springs who wishes to remain anonymous has donated approximately 1,000 gifts to Special Kids Special Families! These toys and games will be given as Christmas gifts to children and their siblings who attend Zach’s Place and who are in our foster program. "We are overwhelmed by the donor’s generosity which came as a complete surprise as we had not yet begun to reach out for gift donations. It truly is a Christmas miracle,” said Jon Karroll, SKSF Development & Communications Manager.
Linda Ellegard, SKSF Executive Director said, "I caught a glance this morning as I opened my office door of the multiple boxes of toys in the open room! These are toys that can make dreams come true! What a sight in the midst of the stress in and out of our world with COVID and politics, traffic and other things. To see the wonders that people, just out of the blue will do for others. These are the ‘wonders in our world’ and the things that give us that shining light in our given day! We, as adults may need to see the wonder of these gifts just as much as the kids do!"
We'd like to thank this secret "Santa Claus" and all who were involved in making this happen. The kids will be overjoyed!
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"This is the first Adult Services Market that included both Joey’s Place and I-CAN. The Market is an annual traditional event where the clients can show off their hard work and their crafting skills. We included clients that we are serving virtually, by bringing craft supplies to their home and having them engage via zoom with clients that are attending the facility. The Market was also the first event since COVID where the community program was able to come to the facility. I-CAN and Joey’s Place enjoyed interacting with friends that they have not seen in months. We had games, snacks, and a craft exhibit. The client’s had a great time and were happy to have a bit or normalcy during COVID, as this is an event we would not miss!" Madeline Dulle, SKSF Joey's Place Program Coordinator
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Adult Services Fall market included handmade crafts, mason jar lanterns, wreaths, bracelets, etc... PLUS lots of great snacks! |
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Adult client, Ashley with Kyrra, SKSF staff during annual Halloween Party. The party was held in small groups, as well as virtually this year. |
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SKSF Staff, Thomas Hensley making slime with kids at Zach's Place.
Everyone loved getting their hands dirty!
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The Arc Pikes Peak Region held it's 2020 Achieve Your Vision Annual Awards Celebration this year virtually. This year, SKSF Program Nurse, Kathleen Winder, was an award recipient for Outstanding Professional. In addition, Zach's Place received an award for Outstanding Children's Program. We thank The Arc Pikes Peak Region for recognizing our efforts and services we provide the community and families raising and caring for adults and children with disabilities and special needs. Congratulations to all award recipients! It's great to be acknowledged - thank you!
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Healthy Childcare Colorado awarded Zach's Place program a $5,000 grant to help support the program and low income families receive respite care at the center - thank you! |
MDC/Richmond American Homes Foundation awarded Zach's Place a $5,000 grant to help support the program. "It's an honor to be able to support such a worthy organization that does so much to benefit so many in this community. Thank you for all you do," David D. Mandarich, President.
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AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Use this link to logon to Amazon.com: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/84-1476535
& SPECIAL KIDS SPECIAL FAMILIES will receive .5% of all eligible purchases you make!
Thank you for your support!
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This special day was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past 8 years, this idea has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Please consider a donation in ANY AMOUNT on this day to Special Kids Special Families. THANK YOU! |
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Community First Foundation and FirstBank are excited to partner again to present Colorado Gives Day on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. Colorado Gives Day, a statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy through online giving, has raised $257 million for Colorado nonprofits since 2010. This year there are more than 2,900 participating nonprofits. Please consider a donation to Special Kids Special Families in ANY AMOUNT on this day. THANK YOU! |
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