The Need for Continued Connection
Kiddos with disabilities are statistically more supported by professionals and agencies when they are young. Why? It might not be what you think!
While some kids meet goals and no longer need the support they once received, there are teens and young adults who go on to need those resources. Much of the support offered to a family is largely decided by funding and the goals of the funder or program. That can mean the program focuses on a certain micro-populations, geographical areas, diagnosis’ or income level.
One other focus of a funder may be age, and as a result, support often ends for children when they turn 18 - leaving families feeling isolated as they bridge the gap to adulthood. Caregivers have shared with us their struggle to find consistent, beneficial opportunities that interest their older teens. Because Pause serves kiddos with a broad range of disabilities and ages, our program strategy includes providing rest, support, connection and fun to all families and children through this phase of life. As long as the family is enrolled before their child’s 25th birthday, they hold the autonomy to decide how long they stay involved in the program.
Any Pause family has the opportunity to have a Family Conversation with our staff to share their story, brainstorm different ways we can help support their family and learn about resources available to them. Last fall, our staff met with mamas from two different Pause families. Even though they each had a unique journey, their 19-year-olds were sitting in similar spots - facing isolation and looking for consistent and fun support to meet their needs.
As one option, our team suggested the recently piloted Pause Virtual Hangouts! This is an ongoing opportunity where Pause kids are matched with Pause volunteers who have similar interests. Together, they customize their scheduled Zoom call. After the planning session, supplies are shipped to each of them free of charge. Their only job? Have FUN!
The CAN DO Network was able to secure two extremely reliable volunteers with shared interests for both of these young adults! Each of the Pause teens have spent the past three months meeting weekly with their volunteers to create a blanket, solve puzzles, play online games like Battleship and most importantly - build friendships. Together, the Pause teens have participated in 18 Pause Virtual Hangouts logging over 14.5 hours.
What have their volunteers said?
“I always look forward to meeting with my virtual buddy every Monday to get a break from a long day of school work. He has opened up quite a bit since the beginning and has started to initiate conversation with me about things we are both interested in.”
“I am so grateful for my opportunity to work with my virtual buddy because I was able to meet and become friends with someone who I have so much in common with but never would have met without Pause! I always look forward to hanging out with her and the fun conversations we have over the movies and books we're currently watching/reading every Tuesday. It's always the best part of my day, and even my week!”
CAN DO has given these two 19-year-old kids who have aged out of beneficial programs a new way and a new lens for support. By adding a friend to the picture instead of a program, they have built a consistent connection and expanded their circle. Way to go CAN DO - you can’t put a price tag on that.
THIS is CAN DO. This is community. This is YOUR support.
