Guess What’s Back?!
Volunteers are the core of Pause. And when we say core - we mean it. They are the foundation of everything we do and give Pause the capacity to support hundreds of families each year. Because volunteers (and interns) gift their time, they allow us to keep our staff size small. This means we can focus our funding less on payroll and more on Pause events, support and resources for families. Sustainable programming is essential because schedules and predictability are everything to kiddos who thrive on routine. Long standing programming also allows us time to build trust and relationships with parents - and that means they have someone in their corner for the long haul.
Not many programs provide rest to families with special needs. In fact, the Pause program was born after surveying 467 local families about their greatest needs in 2013. The vast majority of special needs parents stated rest as the most important need. Giving parents a break is essential to reduce burnout, increase time for self-care, and give caregivers a chance to recharge. Think of your life right now. Your schedule. The busyness of your day or week. Now add 40 hours to your schedule. What would you have to give up to make that happen? Down time? Fun time? Sleep?
When the pandemic began, Pause had to drastically shift programming, canceling Parent Day & Night Out events which left families with limited opportunities for rest when they needed it most. Pause began to innovate and create virtual family fun events and socially distanced outdoor events that put a band-aid on the need for fun during this incredibly difficult season, but it didn’t fill the gap created by respite being on hold.
And what about our volunteers? While volunteers could engage online with Virtual Hangouts and socially distant annual events like the Holiday Shoppe and the Easter Eggstravaganza, the lack of Parent Day & Night events left our volunteers with little in-person opportunity to get involved. This matters because we also know that volunteering with Pause has changed their lives as well! “Volunteering for Pause fills my bucket every time I am there. I feel like I'm part of a joyous experience for everyone - volunteers, kiddos and caregivers. I leave events tired and happy, anxious for the next one!”
All of this seems super disheartening, but HOLD ON TO YOUR SEAT BECAUSE WE HAVE GREAT NEWS! After 17 months without in-person rest events for families, we are excited to announce that Parent’s Day & Night events will be BACK in September! This seems like such a simple (and fun!) statement, but this changes everything for families who haven’t had a break in almost a year and a half.
We need YOUR help to make this possible for families - and we say this knowing that this opportunity will fill your bucket too. YOU get to be a life changer and we couldn’t be more excited about that!
We currently have two options for volunteering at Parent’s Day & Night Out!
Option #1 - Parent’s Night Out on Friday, September 10th from 4:45pm - 9pm. Sign up HERE!
Option #2 - Parent’s Day Out on Saturday, September 25th from 9:45am - 2pm. Sign up HERE!
Pick your event...or sign up for both! #YesDoThat (Did we mention we have a NEW space that includes a zip line?) Volunteer to be a 1:1 buddy to a kiddo with special needs, a small group leader or helper, an activity station leader, and more!
Do you know someone who would be interested in volunteering with Pause? Forward this email along and check out our Volunteer Opportunities page on our website! Volunteering with friends is not only allowed, it's encouraged!
CAN DO, you make these rest events happen for families. You give families a much needed break that isn’t just about taking a breather - it’s about changing the outcome and story of a child and the people that raise them. Your support means everything and quite literally makes you a hero.
This is CAN DO. This is COMMUNITY. This is YOUR SUPPORT.
