Be A Part of the Story
Our Family Journey Map assessment is given to families when they enroll to capture all the real life, tangible and supportive ways we can walk alongside a family. We ask if they need support in some of the following ways:
Finding respite options that meet their needs.
Finding resources/tools to ensure their child is safe from bullying or isolation in school.
Helping their child with special needs find opportunities to have fun with others.
As we sat with families at their kitchen table over the years, we heard how many were missing opportunities to belong to a faith community. Because of these vulnerable and transparent conversations, we added additional questions to our Family Journey Map around the idea of external support. The statistics were surprising, even to us. The report showed that 27% of families were interested in finding a place of worship that is equipped to service the needs of their entire family.
When we started the partnership with Center Pointe Church to offer CP Unlimited seven months ago, we underestimated the impact this program would have on our families, our kiddos and even our committed volunteers who make this ministry possible. Since July 1, Unlimited enrollment has grown 1100%.
Data shows 1 in 4 families in our community have a disability the way Pause defines it (developmental disabilities, mental/behavioral health challenges (including complex trauma), chronic medical conditions, children with IEPs/504s and those in foster or kinship care). This means roughly 75% of families pursuing a place of worship could benefit from a specialized ministry. Sweetin Family Life reported in 2018 only 1% of the faith based communities in the greater Cincinnati area offered an inclusive special needs ministry and current day Key Ministry mapping shows 3 churches in Cincinnati offering services out of over nearly 800 listed on churchfinder.com.
Unlimited Pause dad shared, “One of the bargains we had to make a lot of the time was, are we going to go to church? In that sense we were homeless.”
What makes Unlimited different? By considering children’s learning styles, assessing learning accommodations and creating individualized learning plans, kids are able to access curriculum in new ways. In that structure confidence grows and opens the door for connections to grow.
“William expresses his feelings and emotions in different ways but he does want to go back! (Must have had a blast) We can’t thank everyone enough for making our family feel so welcome! Dan and I also enjoyed the service very much! We just feel so comfortable at Center Pointe and like we belong. This has been such a huge blessing for our family. We are looking forward to connecting to the church through different groups and events. Thanks again for everything and all that you do to make this possible." - Unlimited Mom
We have room for you to be a part of these amazing stories. Our volunteers walk alongside our kids as an integral part of their faith journey just by being another safe adult in that kiddos life. Volunteers choose different serving opportunities on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis depending on their availability. Curriculum is created, prepped and ready to share - all you have to do is show up to lead a group, be extra hands to a group leader or be a smiling face at our check-in counter.
Currently, we have 10 kids waiting to join us on Sunday mornings. To take them off the list, we are looking for 6 volunteers to say yes to ONE HOUR on a Sunday morning.
To see a Sunday morning in action, receive a tour or hear more about Unlimited opportunities, click here to contact Sara Porter, Pause Community Engagement Specialist at sara.porter@pauseforparents.org.
Be a part of a life changing ministry. Be a part of Unlimited.
This is CAN DO. This is COMMUNITY. This is YOUR SUPPORT.
*Names have been changed for privacy
