Mission & Vision

WHO ARE WE?

Pause for Parents, Play for Kids, Inc. provides rest, support, connection and fun to families with differing needs to build resilience and increase hope. We support families who have children (ages 0-24) with developmental disabilities, mental/behavioral health challenges (including complex trauma), chronic medical conditions, children with IEPs/504s and those in foster or kinship care. By giving families space to share their story and use their voice, Pause serves as the bridge to stronger relationships, better outcomes and more inclusive communities.

WHAT’S OUR VISION?

Each child will be valued, loved and appreciated for their individual gifts and abilities and will be given the opportunity for fun and connection.

Each family will be given the space to share their family’s joys, hardships, areas of growth and the opportunity to partner with Pause for better outcomes in caregiver stress, family functioning and resilience.

Each volunteer and community partner will see the capacity to make a difference and to be part of the solution of support for Pause families.

WHAT ARE OUR STRATEGIES?

Rest so caregivers can re-charge and move from surviving to thriving.

Support by assessing our families’ unique needs and connecting them to resources and each other.

Connection & Fun with in-person and virtual events that build family relationships and connections with other Pause families.

Train & Equip volunteers and community partners to understand the challenges of the families we serve and maximize their resources, talents and gifts to find the role that best fits them.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

  • Special needs parents can spend an additional 35-40 hours a week in care alone of a child with complex needs. Most suffer from physical fatigue, emotional stress and/or emotional upset or guilt.

  • Respite is a preventive strategy that strengthens families, protects family health and wellbeing, decreases feelings of isolation and improves the family’s ability to cope with daily responsibilities.

  • Respite can: allow individuals to remain in their own home, prevent costly out-of-home placements, keep all family members safe & stable, and preserve family unity by decreasing pressures that might lead to abuse/neglect, institutionalization and divorce.

Data provided by: National Respite Coalition Task Force.