Mission Statement
Based on our community’s vision statement “We are one family, living in community, confronted, challenged, and comforted by the Word of God, reaching out to all persons and their families,” the Special Needs Ministry was formed in 2011 to reach out to parents/caregivers of special needs children and offer support and encouragement on their journey. We come together monthly to share in the joys and challenges of raising our children and learn from one another and our experiences. Our stories are all different: the needs of our children range from ADD/ADHD to Down’s Syndrome and Autism, and everywhere in between! We also have parents/caregivers of children as young as newborns to grown children learning to live independently. All are welcome to join us in celebrating our children’s abilities and offering hope to one another in our journey.
Upcoming Meetings:
- March 17, Room 204 in Clare Hall
- April 14, Room 204 Clare Hall
- May 19, Room 204 Clare Hall
For More Information:
To learn more, please contact our ministry leaders: Heather Lisk at hlisk@nc.rr.com or Karen Ondejko at karen@ondejko.com.
Past Special Events:
Fr. Bill’s Book Club – Part II -
Thursday, February 21 – 7PM in Cupertino
In our first meeting, we talked about the themes and experiences outlined in Born on A Blue Day and Dancing in Heaven. For our second meeting, we’re reading Where the Hell Is God? by Richard Leonard, S.J., and Rescuing Jeffrey by Richard Galli.
Bring your thoughts, your ideas and your experiences of living your life – and questionning, “Where the Hell is God?”
For more information, please contact Heather Lisk at (919) 847-2307 or hlisk@nc.rr.com
Wills , Trusts & Guardianship November 3, 1-3pm Founders Room
Don’t hurt someone, especially yourself, by doing nothing or doing something wrong. Without proper planning and documentation, love and care can spell disaster for a special needs person’s entitlement to government benefits. Even well-meaning parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters can be a danger.
Local attorney Joe Mitchiner explains what you can and should do about special needs and family planning, so that you can have peace of mind. No sales pitch or hype—just solid, thought-provoking information.
To learn something about Joe in advance, you can visit his web site at www.mitchinerlaw.com.
With timely RSVP, childcare will be available for special needs children and their siblings.
To pre-register for seating, handout materials and childcare, click here.
Registration deadline is Wednesday, October 31
For more information, contact Heather Lisk at (919) 847-2307 or hlisk@nc.rr.com
A meeting you don’t want to miss!
Beverages and light snacks will be provided
Open to members and friends of St. Francis of Assisi
TEEN TO ADULTHOOD
Welcome back to another year for the calendar. I continue to get information for terrific activities in Raleigh. Do not forget to use the Leisure Ledger as a wonderful source of programs. It is available online or just grab one at any Parks Community Center. Sign up early to insure a spot!
If you have questions, please look to the contact listed for that activity. Please feel free to email me at bpapan7@yahoo.com if you know of any other activity that we might enjoy. I would like to thank all the people who have kept me in mind when they hear of something fun for us!
HEALTH AND SAFETY FUN FAIR is being held at the Brooks Avenue Church on September 8th from 2-4:30pm. Information from the Autism Society, Family Support Network, the Raleigh FD and PD (emergency response info), School Resource Officers to talk about bullying, and local food vendors talking about various diets and much more! There will also be face painting, popcorn, bounce houses, and more to keep the kids entertained while adults access these valuable resources. This event will happen rain or shine. For more information call Melinda Oldham at 919-624-2591.
TIME TO SHINE OPEN MIC NIGHT at Loco Lu’s Coffeehouse (5210 Hollyridge Dr) is on the second Friday of each month. Come out and show off your talents from 7-9pm. All are welcome but stage time is reserved for individuals with disabilities. Please call Carole Pierce at 349-8562 or email her at carolepierce2003@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
THE HALLOWEEN DANCE will be held on October 20th at the Millbrook Exchange Community Center this year from 7-9:30pm. Come out for the fun, the music, and refreshments. The cost is $5 but assistants/parents are not charged. Come in costume or as you are! The barcode for online registration is 128097.
LOCO LU’S DOES IT AGAIN WITH CRAFT NIGHTS! Loco Lu’s will host a craft and dinner night on the 3rd Friday of every month from 7-9pm. The evening will include an all you can eat buffet along with a craft project. The cost is $10 per person. An RSVP is helpful but not required. Contact Carole at 919 349 8562 for more information or to RSVP.
COMEDY CAFÉ INVITES YOU TO THEIR FUNN RAISER! Thatis not a typo – it is just the wonderful night with a family friendly improv group. There will be raffles (raffle tickets are 1 for $2, 3 for $5), doorprizes, and fun entertainment. Come to The Church at 12621 Strickland Road on 9/8 at 7:30pm and have some fun!
FRIENDSHIP CAFÉ is back for a night of fun on 9/14 from 7-9pm. It’s a night of basketball, corn hole, billiards, ping pong, air hockey, and board games. Light snacks will be provided but please have dinner before you come. It will be held at the North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene, 9200 Strickland Rd, Raleigh. Please enter thru the front doors or the covered side entrance. For more information please contact Sandy Floyd at sanflo78@mindspring.com or 919-413-0582.
PEOPLE WE ARE is a self advocacy group with The Arc of Wake County that meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month (except November and December when they meet the first Tuesday only. On 9/11 the speaker is Vicki Smith from Disability Rights talking about the history of the disability movement. On the 25th, Kathy Honeyman will speak about Mental Health Issues. They meet at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, room 111, from 6:30-8:00. For more information contact Revonda Russos at Revonda.Russos@arcwake.org.
DO YOU LIKE PANCAKES? If you do, come on out for a flapjack fundraiser to support People We Are on 9/29 from 8-10am at the Applebee’s at 7831 Target Circle, Raleigh. Enjoy a short stack for a tall cause!
THE ALLIANCE OF DISABILITY ADVOCATES has programs for socializing, fun, and action. They meet at the Alliance’s office on 401 Oberlin Road, Suite 103. Email Sierra Royster at sierra.royster@alliancecil.org for more information on the first 2 groups:
Hidden Army is for ages 20-30 and focuses on socializing, community action, and skill building. This group meets on the 2nd Monday of each month from 6-8pm.
Free Travel Training is also offered by the alliance to train people to ride public transportation. She will also provide any education training on different types of transportation or help you apply. Contact Gerri Smith at gerri.smith@alliancecil.org.
Free Computer Classes are available. For more information please email Caroline Ambrose at caroline.ambrose@alliancecil.org or call 919-833-1117.
“Deaf Advocacy Now!” group meets every 3rd Wednesday from 6-7:30pm at 505 Oberlin Road, Suite 152. Contact Carole Edwards on Videophone 919-825-2834 or email Carole.Edwards@alliancecil.org for more info.
Vision Connection is a group for people with disabilities interested in becoming action advocates. They will learn how to advocate on certain issues in the community to make for a more inclusive community. For more information contact Karen Clark at 919-833-7771 or Karen.clark@alliancecil.org.
SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES are available through the following 2 groups:
The Miracle League allows everyone to play baseball from age 5 through age 22. For more information email leaguemanager@miracleleagueofthetriangle.com or call 238-0333.
Triangle Special Hockey is open to anyone who can skate and wants to play! Find out more on Cat5Canes@TriangleSpecialHockey.org.
WHEELCHAIR BOUND BUT LOVE SPORTS? Check out the website of www.bridge2sports.org. This group sponsors the Thunder basketball team but there are other sports available as well.
Check out KIDS’ CONNECTION from by ARC of Wake County. It’s a website with links to a variety of sites about sports, dancing, and more. The site is www.arcwake.org/kidconnect.html
MACARONI KIDS offer 2 websites to a site listing events in different areas of Raleigh. They’re www.northraleigh.macaronikid.com and www.southraleigh.macaroniki.comand each lists local activities for their respective areas. Sign up for a free monthly newsletter.
SPECIAL BLESSINGS hosts both support and play group opportunities by bringing ‘seasoned’ caregivers alongside parents of ‘newer’ children to exchange experiences and possible solutions. The next trip is to the NC Zoo! There is limited space left so please register asap. The cost is $15pp and includes round trip bus fare and zoo entrance fees. You can bring lunch or purchase lunch there. Check out their website and register by 9/1 at www.specialblessingsinc.net or call 919-366-9589 for more information.
ATTENTION! Your help is needed to make Special Blessings’ STORAGE WARS a success! They are participating in a STORAGE WARS FOR CHARITY on 9/15 from 9-11a.m. at Rolesville StorageMax, 417 S. Main St. in Rolesville. (storagemaxnc.com) They need help filling their 10×10 storage unit with all kinds of goodies ASAP! They accept donations that would be place in a yard sale or from your store/business. The community is invited to participate in this event. At 9a.m. StorageMax will provide breakfast and entertainment. Please call 919-366-9589 to donate items – HURRY!
ABLE TO SERVEis in the Garner area and has a fun opportunity to do creative crafts, go to movies, cooking, and other occasional field trips every Wednesday afternoon from 10:30am- 1:30pm at 157 Technology Drive. Call 919 779 5545 to reserve your spot at their next craft day. Check out the website at www.abletoserve.org!
A NEW WEBSITE has been started by someone you may know. Ben Smith has opened the site www.handi-social.com where you can look for social events that are happening in the area. Hey, perhaps I can retire after 5 years! Check it out!
COFFEE HOUSES: Coffee Houses are gatherings sponsored by local Churches and regularly offer refreshments, entertainment, and the room to socialize.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
7000 Creedmore Rd., Raleigh from 7-9pm.
Come join us for good fellowship and entertainment on the last Friday of each month. The fun continues in 2012 on 9/28, and 10/26. Contact Cindy Davis at cindybdavis@gmail.comfor additional information.
Resurrection Lutheran Church
100 Lochmere Drive, Cary from 7-9pm.
The Resurrection Coffeehouse is scheduled for the second Friday of each month. The fun continues in 2012 on 9/14, 10/12, and 11/9. For more information please call Leslie Welch at 468-8174 or email her at lwelch1@nc.rr.com.
A third Coffeehouse will be starting up in Cary at Christ the King Lutheran in a few months! Their night will not conflict with either of these coffeehouses and I will post the information as it becomes available. I do inquire about this and it is still being planned so hang in there!
For more information on the above 2 listed Coffeehouses, please see the Serving Cup website at www.servingcup.org for their schedule, directions, and for other services.
SPECIAL NEEDS NIGHTS AT PUMP IT UP! Special children are invited to Pump It Up on the last Monday of every month from 6-8pm for a cover charge of $7. Pump It Up is at 10700-1112 World Trade Blvd.
SPECTRUM RESOURCES focuses on expanding social interaction of clients with High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome grades 3 through adult. There are a variety of clubs and courses such as Construction Junction, Teen Clubs, The Spectrum Cafe, and Deciphering the Social Code, Vista Junction (for girls) Sibling workshops, Conversation Clinics, and Bully Proof (which offers concrete strategies and hands on skills addressing this difficult issue). They are located at 6300 Chapel Hill Road in Raleigh. Please call (919) 906-9404 or learn more on the web at www.spectrumresourcesofnc.net.
SPECTRUM RESOURCES has received a grant and are starting a Sports Authorities program which was designed by the Spectrum Resources staff. They are currently seeking middle school applicants for their Baseball Clinic. Call Cristina Phillips, the intake coordinator, at 919-906-9404 to learn more today!
VOICES TOGETHER is an hour a week session that encourages speech, conversation and processing skills. Visit the website at www.voicestogether.net and come to a class and observe and be a part of the fun for free to check it out. Please contact Linda Chewning of Voices Together for the locations of the existing programs, coming to a trial class for free, as well as any information for the newly added locations at (919) 942-2714 or email her at linda@voicestogether.net. OPENINGS AVAILABLE in Cary on Mondays from 5:45-6:45!
CAROLINA DANCE CENTER at 9101-169 Leesville Road, has a special FREE 45 minute jazz/hip hop dance class every Thursday afternoon from 3:30 – 4:15pm. Come on out and enjoy the fun way to exercise! Please call 848-1830 or contact Missy at info@carolinadancecenter.com for more info.
FREE DANCE CLASSESare available at the Holly Springs School of Dance. The Shining Stars special needs dance class is offered on the first Saturday of every month from 10-11am. It is completely free and there’s a group of dancers from the studio who come in and pair up with our children as they dance. Please feel free to call Marilyn at 557-3270.
THE AKTION CLUB OF GREATER is a service club connected to the Kiwanis Club. In addition to various public service activities, interesting speakers come to the meetings. The meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month. For September, Chris Smith will talk about Special Olympics and in October the guest is Able to Serve. The meetings are from 6-7pm at the Arc of NC at 343 East Six Forks rd., ste. 320. Feel free to invite your friends to share the fun and important information. Please contact Revonda.Russos by emailing her at Revonda.Russos@arcwake.org.
FREE BOWLINGcourtesy of the Civitan Club is now at the Pleasant Valley lanes. They have made Pleasant Valley their home on Tuesdays from 4-5pm for 2 games of bowlingat 5501 Commercial Ave.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS OPPORTUNITIES abound year round in Raleigh. The activities available at different seasons are bocce ball, bowling, cycling, roller-skating, soccer, tennis, horseback riding, swimming, alpine skiing, cheerleading, basketball, ice-skating, roller-skating, track and field, golf, gymnastics, power lifting, softball, and volleyball. There are skills programs available in many of these programs for those not ready to compete and just want to learn the basics. If anything interests you but you may have missed the season, call Brian Philpot at 807-8378 or email him at brian.philpot@raleigh.nc.us to get on his mailing list now.
Raleigh Parks and Recreation
The Raleigh Parks/Recreation Leisure Ledger’s January through April listing of specialized recreational activities for ages 4 and up is now available at any of your local community centers. The list of programs is also found online at http://www.raleighnc.gov click on the ARTS & PARKS tab, then scroll down to the link for the Leisure Ledger listed under Spend Time Browsing. There is a whole section on specialized programs. Early registration is recommended as some programs may be cancelled due to under enrollment. Programs cover a wide selection of fun and fitness such as private swimming lessons, buddy basketball and softball, aerobics, crafts, game nights, tie dying, cooking, bowling, line dancing, and bingo. Take a look and join the fun!
The following clubs have additional outings and activities for registered members. All you have to do is register for free by calling the contact for the group and you are in!
The Adventurers Club is for children ages 15-24 still in high school that can function with a 1:4 ratio or provide their own 1:1 chaperone. You MUST register by any stated deadline so that an appropriate number of chaperones are secured. For additional information or to offer outing suggestions or requests, call Jennifer at 807-5402 or email her at jennifer.tabery@raleighnc.gov. Jennifer has accepted a new position elsewhere. Questions regarding special Olympics should be directed to Brian Philpot 919-831-6470 and club related issues can be directed to the supervisor Nikki Speer-Raleigh at 919-831-6835.
The Wildcats Social Club caters to ages 25-34. The club usually meets every month for a variety of recreation, leisure, and social activities. Members work on money management, community skills, and activity planning. For more information regarding the events please call the new leader Susan Lamoreaux at 919-831-5400 or email her at Susan.Lamoreaux@raleighnc.gov. The listing of the events will be sent to each member separately. It’s easy and free to be a member – contact Susan!
The Dragon Club caters to club members ages 35 and up and the special events are typically ‘sold out’ quickly due to the high demand. Our wonderful Meredith has just had a beautiful little girl – WELCOME EMILY GRACE HOMLOTIS – and her duties will be handled by Stacie Madsen. You can reach her on Meredith’s ling and use either Meredith’s email or Stacie’s at Stacie.madsen@raleigh.nc.gov.
HORSEBACK RIDING:
GRACE of Raleighis now offering therapeutic riding lessons in response to continued requests at Steppin’ Haven Farms, 100 Cedarwood Drive in Louisburg – off Highway 401 near the highway 98 intersection. This is in addition to their GRACE riding sessions. Lessons are now offered on weekends and weekdays and the cost is $35 per hour, per rider. Reservations are now being taken for lesson times. If you are interested or know someone who could benefit by this program, please contact Susan Belton at (919) 497-0700 or email at sbelton1@bellsouth.com. They are looking forward to hearing from you!
Helping Horse Therapeutic Riding offers hippo therapy for individuals with special needs in the Triangle area. Participants 4 years old to adult are welcome. The riding season runs from September to May and is comprised of 35 weekly lessons and there are openings. If you are interested please call 848-0153 and leave a message or visit www.helpinghorse.org.
Horse and Buddy Therapeutic Riding: Ride year round in New Hill (near Cary and Apex) for approximately $30 per ride. Visit the website at http://www.horseandbuddy.org for directions and the current schedule.
Enjoy!
Barbara Papanestor
And now for an important note for THE NEXT STEP courtesy of Kathy Honeyman:
Join us, Saturday, September 15, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Millbrook Exchange Park community center (1905 Spring Forest Road Raleigh).
This month the speaker will be Suzanne Goerger who will explain the changes in funding and how it will effect all of us.
Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you feel would benefit. Contact Kathy at kathyhoneyman@earthlink.net for more info.
The “Next Step” meetings are free; light refreshments will be available.
Resources
World Down Syndrome Day is March 21- More Information at http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/
April is Autism Awareness Month
- Vatican Radio – World Autism Day: Archbishop Zimowski “increasing sensitivity and supportive nearness - http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/Articolo.asp?c=575823
- Autism Speaks – http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/waad
- Autism Society – http://www.autism-society.org/
