Promote, strengthen and support individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers

AUGUST 2019 ISSUE 2
PROGRAM NEWS - Beach Party at Joey's Place
SKSF Joey's Place client, Jonathan Moreno
participating in Beach Party!
Joey's Place is a center based day program for adults with disabilities. “Individuals have an opportunity to learn, grow, and become independent. These opportunities are based on the needs and interests of each person. We strive to offer activities that are sensory stimulating, challenging, fun, and interactive,” says Program Coordinator, Dionna Lanich. Recently, Joey's Place hosted a fun Beach Party where activities included making leis, a hula contest, playing volleyball, craft projects and limbo.
Ashley Shelton, SKSF Joey's Place client, creates a craft project
PROGRAM NEWS - Community Supporting Zach's Place
We'd like to thank  Safe Kids Colorado Springs  with the help of Suzanne Grace, Sr. Prevention, Education & Outreach Coordinator, for donating several Evenflo car seats to our Zach's Place program. In addition to the donation, they provided a safety and installation orientation to our staff. A special thank you to Lisa Pitts, a Child Passenger Safety Technician with the Divide Colorado Fire Protection District and Safe Kids Colorado Springs coalition member, for helping with this outreach activity! We appreciate their generosity!
We are grateful to the American Legion Aurora Branch to have donated several bikes and scooters to our Zach's Place program! This needed donation will bring smiles on the faces of the kids that we care for. Thank you!
SKSF IN THE NEWS
KRDO NewsChannel 13/ KRDO.com recently covered an important story about families being on waitlists for autism services. They interviewed Zach's Place Director, Dianna Manz for her insight on parents seeking services in the area. We appreciate the awareness and coverage!

Families in Colorado Springs say they've been told our city is one of the best in the nation for autism services, but not everyone agrees after having to wait months on waitlists. "This city has been the best place for my special-needs child, whether it's through his education or therapy," one parent said about services in Colorado Springs . (b y:  Alexis Dominguez , KRDO Newschannel 13)
Claudia Garofalo at  FOX21 News  Living Local program interviewed Dianna Manz, Zach's Place Program Director and  Jon Karroll SKSF  Development/Communications Manager to talk about SKSF programs and SKSF's 8th Annual Night of Comedy  event coming up on Saturday, October 12th. Thank you for having us!

Special Kids Special Families is a nonprofit organization that provides specialized care for children and adults with disabilities and special needs.They also offer an array of helpful services for the families of children and adults with special needs. Jon Karroll and Dianna Manz are in studio this morning with all the details. ( by:  Claudia Garofalo , FOX21 News)
OUT & ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY
Linda Ellegard is out and about with the Koscove Kids puppets at Kid's First Safety Day at Chapel Hills Mall in Colorado Springs. SKSF had a few tables set up spreading the word about the work we do in the community.
The State of Caregiving in the Pikes Peak Region event was a big success! 75+ people registered from various agencies. Breaking into groups, attendees discussed what caregiving services are available in the region and what services are missing. They also brainstormed ways to work together to strengthen respite and caregiving supports and weighed-in on what would make a respite coalition more valuable. It was held in the Columbine Room of the Penrose Library in downtown Colorado Springs.
DONATIONS & GRANT AWARDS
Safeway  hosted a ribbon cutting event with employees and community members as part of a re-grand opening celebration. The store underwent a significant remodel totaling over $1.5 million in improvements. At the ribbon cutting event, Safeway presented a check for $5,000 to Special Kids Special Families for their Zach’s Place child and respite care program to help low income families raising children with disabilities. These funds were collected from Safeway customers during the People With Disabilities campaign which ran in Safeway stores throughout July where individuals could make a donation at check-out. We thank them for their generosity!
WITH GRATITUDE AND THANKS...
SKSF would like to thank the following organizations that have supported us recently with grant awards...

  • $250 from Walmart (1850 E Woodmen Rd, CO Springs) & Walmart Community Grant Team supporting SKSF programs
  • $2,000 from Walmart (3201 E Platte Ave, CO Springs) & Walmart Community Grant Team supporting Zach's Place program
  • $500 from Walmart (4385 Venetucci Blvd, CO Springs) & Walmart Community Grant Team supporting Zach's Place program
  • $1,000 from Penrose St. Francis Health Services as an Activity & Outing Sponsor funding for YMCA swimming & community visits
  • $1,500 Credit Union of Colorado Foundation supporting SKSF programs
UPCOMING SKSF EVENTS
1915 Aerotech Drive
Suite 100
Colorado Springs, CO 80916
Thursday, September 12th
Open House 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Remarks at 4:30pm
Refreshments & light appetizers will be served

Special Kids Special Families is celebrating 20 years of providing respite and specialized care for children and adults with disabilities and special needs, their families and caregivers in the Pikes Peak community! Come join us as we are hosting an Open House at our NEW Administration office. Please drop by and share with us in celebration our growth over the years and the many great services we will be providing in the near future like our new Behavioral Health program. 

Contact Jon Karroll or Linda Ellegard if any questions at 719-447-8983.
Do you believe that your gifts and talents lie in helping others? We are looking for providers that can care for HIGH needs children and adults that require supervision and may have physical and/or mental disabilities, require medical supervision or are medically and/or mentally fragile. The background of the individuals in need may be a physical or developmental disability, social and/or emotional challenges, some may have experienced trauma, on the autism spectrum or they may be in need of time away from an escalating situation. Your assistance with providing respite may mean a child or adult will not be involved in a family disruption, experience abuse or go into a treatment facility. Compensation is available and based on level of care. PRINT FLYER
 
Come join us to learn more about becoming a Respite Care Provider.
Informative sessions will answer all questions & discuss the process
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Special Kids Special Families
1915 Aerotech Drive, Suite 100
Colorado Springs, CO 80916
RSVP TO:
Linda Ellegard
lellegard@sksfcolorado.org
719-447-8983 Ext. 19 | 720-988-9511
Saturday, October 12th
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Marriott Colorado Springs, 5580 Tech Center Drive
EARLY BIRD PRICING
(available until 9/14/19)
$65/person; $520/reserved table of 8
On 9/15/19 prices change $75/pp / $600/reserved table of 8
Special Kids Special Families invites the public to attend the 8th Annual Night of Comedy.  Join the fun and enjoy the hilarious comedy act of Cash Levy, social hour, amazing silent auction packages, sit down dinner, Raise the Paddle auction, cash bar, and special "Can't Stop the Feeling" performance by Zach’s Place youth.  Guests must pre-register.

The event will raise funds for Zach’s Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center, SKSF’s founding program. Zach’s Place is one of only two licensed facilities in the state of Colorado with the focus and training to provide both respite and day care for children with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Without YOU this event wouldn't be possible!

PLATINUM SPONSORS:
Colorado Behavior & Learning Group
The Shandy Clinic

Gold Sponsors:
A Rise Above, Aveanna Healthcare

Silver Sponsors:
CIA Leavitt Insurance, NuStar Energy, RPS Healthcare

Community Sponsors:
Adams Bank & Trust, Colorado Automotive Restoration Services CARS, El Pomar Foundation, Fillmore Veterinary Hospital, Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, Ent Credit Union, PenTrust Mortgage, Warren Management Group

Patron Sponsors:
BM&M Brokerage, Colorado Springs Commercial, Disability Services of Colorado, Medved Autoplex, Moody Insurance
Upcoming Events Supporting Special Needs Community
THURSDAY 9/5/19 | 6-8pm | Skills Academy School, 1430 N Hancock Ave., COS 80903
Fall Information Night - for families, children & adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. PRINT FLYER

SATURDAY 9/7/19 | 11am-1pm | Creekside Success Center, 3850 Pony Tracks Dr, COS 80922
District 49 Special Education Community Resource Fair for parents, staff, caregivers & all students. PRINT FLYER

SATURDAY 9/14/19 | 9:30am-1:30pm | El Paso County Fairgrounds, Calhan
9th Annual Health & Education Fair hosted by the Calhan Community Outreach Coalition to learn about services within the community to live a health lifestyle. PRINT FLYER