To promote, strengthen & support individuals with disabilities, their families & caregivers

OCTOBER 2020
halloween-header4.jpg
Some Halloween traditions may look different this year to keep everyone safe during the COV​ID-19 pandemic. However, there are still plenty of ways families can have fun while avoiding the scare of being exposed to or spreading the virus.

PROGRAM NEWS
SKSF LONG TIME CLIENT FINDING EMPLOYMENT AT LOCAL WALMART

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Special Kids Special Families would like to highlight Logan Kelso, whom we've watched grow from a boy into a young man, first meeting him when Zach's Place was still located in downtown Colorado Springs and Logan was in elementary school. Logan has transitioned into attending our Adult Day programs and enjoys his time doing activities at the center and in the community.

Logan recently started training for a part time position at a local Walmart. With the recent popularity of online ordering, working as a Personal Shopper is offering a fun new job for many, including those with a disability. Logan is an adult with Autism who will be supported on-site with a Job Coach provided through Colorado's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.

He has worked very hard in clinical and behavior therapy to develop coping skills he needs to meet his goals. This May, Logan graduated with the class of 2020 from Coronado High School. His friends and family are so proud to see him succeed! His relationship continues to evolve with SKSF as he grows into a fine young adult. It's exciting to see Logan's hard work paying off in big ways! Maybe you'll find him at the Woodmen & Powers Walmart when you are out grabbing your own essentials. Be sure to say hello! Congratulations Logan!
ZACH'S PLACE WISH LIST
  • Play-Doh or clay
  • Washable paints
  • Weeble people/animals/cars
  • Youth bike helmets
  • Baby wipes or Clorox wipes
  • Craft foam stickers
  • Glue sticks or clear glue
  • Wooden or floor puzzles
  • Coloring or sticker books
  • Pre-school building blocks
  • Bean bag chairs
  • New infant car seats
  • New child booster seats
Did you know that child seats expire?

We have a need in our Zach's Place and Foster Care programs to replace some old and outdated seats. Since we transport children to and from school, doctor appointments and other activities, these seats wear out very quickly!

If you can donate a brand new infant car seat or child booster seat this would be so helpful!

Contact Linda or Jon at 719-447-8983 if you'd like to make a donation. Thank you!

IT'S A WRAP!
Virtual hosts, Jon Karroll & Linda Ellegard
Zach's Place kids performance
Last weekend we held our 1st ever VIRTUAL event - SKSF's 9th Annual Night of Comedy & BOY, WHAT A SUCCESS!

With the help of our sponsors, community business members that donated items to our silent auction, donors & volunteers
we raised $40,000 to help support Zach's Place program!

There are SO MANY people to thank - click here for a list of everyone that helped make this event a SUCCESS!

Thank You

IN CASE YOU MISSED THE EVENT -
COMMUNITY BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Once again, Brian & Angie Cooper along with the folks at Unified Title Company & their many supporters held their Annual Golf Tournament recently to help raise funds for Zach's Place program. Over the years, Unified Title has been VERY generous and supported our organization with planning this very large yearly event. We appreciate all they do for us and the community!

A message from President, Brian Cooper....
Jon Karroll & SKSF Board Member Sarah Kelso at Unified Title event
GENEROUS DONATIONS
Myrna’s Reading Nook - Usborne Books & More donated 30 sets of books and plushes to the children that attend our programs. They will be so happy to receive these items! We are grateful for the donations and all your efforts PLUS everyone that donated - THANK YOU! 
GRANT AWARDS RECEIVED

Special Kids Special Families has received several grants in the past few months to help fund our programs. We appreciate the generosity and consideration of these foundations and grantors to help accomplish our mission!

Monument Hill Foundation $2000
Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation $5000
Credit Union of Colorado $1500


In addition we also received the following grants....
(3201 E. Platte Ave) Store Manager, Rick Lucas, presented a check for $2,000 from a Community Grant which will help low income families whose children attend SKSF's Zach’s Place program.
Walmart Colorado Springs - Space Center Dr (1575 Space Center Dr. at Powers & Palmer Park) Store Manager, Martin Lujan presented a check for $5,000 to Jon Karroll SKSF
Development & Communications Manager, as Lujan’s management team looks on. The check represents a Walmart Community Grant and the money will be used to help low income families and fund transportation needs at Zach’s Place.
Special Kids Special Families is proud to be one of the recipients of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation grant! This year, Sprouts Foundation awarded 120 grants to nonprofit organizations in the 23 states where the company operates, including 113 Neighborhood Grants and seven high-impact grants designed to help partners strengthen and expand their programs, totaling $1.6 million.

SKSF staff Dionna Lanich and Jon Karroll were presented with a $6,000 check by Sprouts store Manager, David Thompson at the Sprouts Farmers Market #332 at 5617 Barnes Rd. This grant was awarded by the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation and will help fund the gardening program at Joey’s Place. Thank you!
IN THE NEWS!
Special Kids Special Families has had some great media exposure this past month promoting our 9th Annual Night of Comedy event in addition promoting our need for Foster Care parents to care for TEENS. We appreciate Cumulus media, Matt Meister at FOX21 News, Mountain Country 107.3FM radio, Janiece Carlson's Networking Diva online blog radio show and 103.9 RXP Street Beat.
VOLUNTEERING
Our Work Day at Zach's Place was amazing! Volunteers, SKSF staff and board members all pitched in, picked up rakes and paint brushes to make Zach's Place look new again. With distancing and mask protocols in place we kept our volunteers safe and got a lot of work done! Thank you so much for your hard work and efforts!
UPCOMING EVENTS
NEXT CLASS: Friday DECEMBER 18th
Special Kids Special Families is a Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) Approved Training Entity and offers QMAP courses monthly for Support Staff and Host Home Providers caring for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. $65/PERSON. FOR INFO & TO REGISTER CLICK HERE...