What Makes Pause Different?

You could say that along with our kiddos, Pause is a little neurodiverse too! Pause has been fortunate enough to have the flexibility to do things a little bit differently to help fill in gaps that might be more difficult for typical programs to meet. We love our differences (see a theme here?) and use them to create change. With the launch of our own 501c3, we are gaining even more freedom to bring out the character of who we are.

How is Pause different?

1. We’re innovative. We know that special needs parenting isn’t just a 9-5pm job and sometimes what we need isn’t what professional services offer. A friend. A cup of coffee when we are bedside in a hospital. Maybe a mentor for a sibling who walks daily in this life too. Dinner delivered when it’s been a hard day or fun in a safe and sensory friendly way where practice and meltdowns can happen together. Because of CAN DO, we are able to meet families where they’re at and use creative solutions to help them find rest, support, connection or fun.

2. We’re sustainable. The Pause program is volunteer and community driven. Our staff makes up 3% of the people that make the work happen every day. This reliability helps families invest and trust our program to support their family long term - all thanks to YOU. The CAN DO community has been the driving force for getting family needs met and will continue to propel our success moving forward.

3. We believe in family voice. Everything provided by Pause is designed for families by families. We value feedback because we’re committed to growing to meet the needs of our Pause kids and caregivers. We believe that family voice should be represented in program wide decisions. That’s why the Pause Advisory Council and the Pause Board of Directors are 50%+ made up of members who have lived experience.

4. We’re relational. We’re about people and we value relationships. We want our kids and caregivers to feel seen, supported, and valued. We know it takes SO much courage for caregivers to trust us with their precious family and we don’t take that lightly. We start with our own vulnerability to make it a brave space for theirs.

These four differences define the heart of CAN DO. Just a short 4 years ago, we sat at the kitchen table of a new Pause mama and offered her 3 Pause wishes. She only wanted one thing. A friend to call at the end of a really hard day. Through the provisions the community has offered Pause, she now has a tribe of people waiting for her call. Even more than that, she has become that listening ear for new moms who sit at their own kitchen tables asking for the same wish.

You provide us with the financial support and volunteerism needed to make this program “pause-able.” You’re the genie in the lamp - and we think that’s pretty great.

This is CAN DO. This is COMMUNITY. This is YOUR SUPPORT.