Volunteering for special needs children

[Valentine]

Hi... I am not sure if this is where I should post this.. but most of you here have experience ... so.. I am hoping someone may know an answer....

I have been very interested in volunteering for a special needs program. I cannot seem to locate any in my area...

One of the things that I want to do most is escort a child on a wish trip to Disney... I feel that my knowledge of the parks and my love for disney.. and for children would make this a perfect match. I would use my vacation time from my regular job in order to do this... and as I am a soon to be DVC member I will have points that I can use whenever...

Is this a pipe dream? Or do you think there are places that actually need someone like me??

This is of course the ultimate desire of mine for volunteering.. but I would also love to just spend time with special needs children and expose them to the arts... something I love also.

If anyone has any ideas... please advise me... I live in Brooklyn, New york...

Thank you... any leads would be appreciated!

kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have an specific knowledge about this, but I'd suggest contacting the Give Kids the World website ( www.gktw.org ) or Make a Wish and see if they have any suggestions for you.
For volunteering in your home area, you could try contacting United Way. They should have information about places that need volunteers.

 

[roseprincess]

Hi Kathy,

As of volunteering for a special needs child/children in your home area, I would suggest a community church in your area that has a children's ministry.
I don't know if you go to church or not, but that's where you would find a great place to volunteer for special needs kids. I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and my family and I go to Willow Creek Community Church. It's one of the mega community churches in the US. We have been going there for years. I have twins that are both special needs. While my dh and I are at church service, our kids go to their children's church called Promiseland. My kids also have a special friends volunteer that are with them during Promiseland. Our special friends volunteer has been with us almost 5 yrs. now. She has become a great friend to our family and occasionally babysits for us so my dh and I can have a date night once in a while. She truly has been a blessing to our family.
I know my church, Willow Creek, has thousands of association churches all over the US and around the world. I'm guessing there's got to be at least a couple of association churches in your area. If you are interested in finding an association church in your area that has a children's ministry, here's the association website: www.willowcreek.com
Then click on "Find a Church", then click your state and type in your town.
I know at our church, they are always looking for special friends volunteers.
That's great that you would love to serve special needs children.

Best wishes to you in finding a way to volunteer.

Roseprincess

 

[SueOKW]

I was thinking that you might want to contact your local Board of MRDD.

Sue

 

[Ahrizel]

As someone who works at a facility for kids with severe disabilties, volunteers are great. I agree with the previous poster, your local MRDD office may be able to tell you where you would be needed. I know at our place there is no such thing as too many volunteers. Helping at special events or simply spending time with is a big plus. As for the Disney trip, I don't think it is a pipe dream. I would advise gaining experience first if you do not have any, especially for your long term goal of a Disney trip. I know for most of the residents at my place we would need a greater then 1:1 ratio of staff/helpers for a trip like that. I've been trying to take one of our residents(my princess) on a Disney trip for several years-problem is getting permission-their nervous about the traveling. Very annoying. I know if I was on a trip with our kids I would LOVE another pair of helping hands. Dh and I take her out together and there our times one more person would be helpful. Not that she's difficult, just involved and time consuming for some things. Find out where the need is and get your feet wet first with volunteering. Then work on the Disney trip.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

I can't answer for Disney volunteering but for local volunteering check with your local Special Olympics program! Most Special Olympics are handled through the County Parks & Rec Departments. Our son has Down Syndrome and is very active in Special Olympics. They not only have the annual games that most people are aware of but also have different leagues throughout the year (such as basketball, volleyball, etc.). They also get to compete at local levels, regional levels, state levels, national levels and even international levels. Since you're willing to travel maybe you would be able to volunteer with olympians that are travelling!

 

[HopperFan]

Having lived in the tri-state area with a special needs child, most if not all services were handled through private agencies. Check this web site for a list of agencies that you can check with to share your desires and special abilities. Hopefully you can find something that interests you. http://www.omr.state.ny.us/ddso/brooklyn/resource/hp_nycbrkall.jsp

I know for a few years my son attended a special recreation program that would have loved to have someone come in and do "arts" work. Art therapy and the use of art can make a tremendous difference.

 

[SueM in MN]

Good idea about Special Olympics. My DH has volunteered for them, so I don't know why I didn't think of them.

 

[Belle1997]

How about Variety the Children's Charity, It helps special needs kids. There is one in New York. I was invloved in one in Ontario and got to help lots of special needs kids. Actually got to take one teenager to a convention in Orlando and also went to disney world. Boy it would have been so much easier back then if I knew about the special passes and about the disboards. But that was about 12 years ago so I was not even on a computer then and no internet.

 

[Valentine]

Wow.. all great ideas!! I just returned from Disney... so I am excited to try out some of these ideas.. I'll let you all know how it works out!!!

This board and it's folk are THE BEST!!

Kathy