What Does a Donation Actually Do?
Do you ever wonder what happens after you make a donation to an organization or program? Who does it help? What difference does it make? You’re not alone! Let’s talk about how Pause takes monetary donations and creates unique services and supports for families with disabilities.
Pause for Parents, Play for Kids is a program that supports families with disabilities through rest, support, connection and fun. Pause currently serves 231 Butler County families, but has expanded statewide on a virtual platform. To enroll in Pause, a family must have a child with special needs ages 0-24 (siblings included). Pause defines special needs broadly to include those with developmental disabilities, mental/behavioral health challenges (including complex trauma), chronic medical conditions, learning disabilities and kids in the foster/kinship care system.
10 THINGS PAUSE DOES WITH YOUR DONATIONS!
1. Parent Night Out Events. Giving parents a time to exhale and refuel can be critical. Parent's Night Out allows caregivers to drop off their special needs children (siblings too!) for 3 hours of dinner, fun and socialization in a safe space with people that get it. Activities are trauma responsive and led by trained staff and our amazing team of volunteers!
2. Pause Virtual Hangouts. A chance for children (ages 5 and up) to connect with trained volunteers and share fun experiences together. Sessions are individualized to fit each child and materials are included.
3. Pause Family Conversation. A time for the family to share their story and needs. We address specific family needs and prioritize what is important to the caregiver. Many of our CAN DO requests come from these really special and powerful conversations.
4. Thrive University: Caregiver Trainings/Learning Circles. Virtual and in-person parent education options that are specific to the world of extra needs - because context matters.
5. Thrive Nights. In response to an overwhelming need for a natural support system, we created something called Thrive. These are free opportunities for parents to get a break, gain valuable information and meet other families similar to theirs. At Thrive Night, caregivers also enjoy entertainment and breakout sessions led by professional therapists. For our in-person events, we include a complimentary dinner and childcare too. #PauseFamilyFavorite
6. Thrive for Community. At Pause, we are dedicated to connecting families to the community in which they live, work and play. Thrive for Community brings community professionals and special needs families together in the same space to continue the conversation of inclusion. We believe coming together for meaningful conversations has the power to shift culture. It creates an opportunity for all of us to learn, grow perspective and build relationships that propel our families, our neighborhoods and our businesses forward.
7. Pause Family Fun Events. Our way to capitalize on good old fashioned family bonding in a safe and practical way. Sounds great, right? It is. Our Family Fun events include professional sports games, virtual game nights, our annual Back to School Bash, the Holiday Shoppe and more. Some of our favorite benefits: creates happy memories, builds self-esteem and strengthens family bonds.
8., 9., 10….ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING SOON! (No click-bait - no membership fees - we promise big news is coming in May!)
When you make a donation to Pause, you are allowing a Pause family to receive events, resources, and support for FREE. Did you know that the Pause program only costs us $99 per participant? Each dollar you give translates into rest, support, connection and fun for a caregiver, a child with disabilities or a sibling who has their own needs specific to this life. AND, we make your dollar stretch farther by building relationships with community organizations and businesses who donate space, resources and time!
THIS is what makes Pause work. Grassroots initiatives, real people and compassion.
THIS is CAN DO. This is community. This is YOUR support.
