So...I have spent much time with families and children that have special needs. As a foster parent and adoptive parent I've become familiar with the struggle, the feeling alone, the lack of knowledge on resources in the area and the list can go on and on...
Living in these small towns can make you feel alienated if you have a child with special needs. So many providers for your child are a long drive to Atlanta or Athens, etc. So many families put tons of miles on their vehicles, hours in their day and time away trying to get their children the help they need.
Connections for Special Parents is a wonderful resource we have in our small towns. They provide a summer camp for those older teens, a week long camp for the Elementary school kids, a Christmas party and three monthly meet ups for parents, one is a breakfast, one is a lunch and one is a dinner. Most of these meal meetups are covered by programs but it's such a nice break when a church opens it's doors for parents once a month and provides a meal and a space for parents to connect (bonus points if there's also childcare)
This past month First Methodist Church in Hartwell sponsored a meal and fellowship for CSP and on September 24th Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Toccoa will sponsor a meal for them as well. If you have a child with special needs, if you are a caregiver for a child with special needs, please come out and join them.
Now if you are a church, they would love to hear from you. They would love to fill their calendar for the next year with one church a month willing to provide a simple meal and a place to sit together and break bread, share conversation, help any new parents that are struggling with their child, etc. It's also great that these churches are spread throughout Hartwell, Royston, Elberton, Lavonia and Toccoa since some parents have a hard time leaving their kids with a sitter for too long. It's not always necessary to offer childcare but it is awesome if it is provided.
If you are a church interested in hosting a dinner or if you are a special needs parent and are looking to get connected to the community, please send an email to cspnega@gmail.com and they will get back to you!
