Multi-Sensory Room for Dream Oaks
Donation protected
We are aiming to fundraise and gain support for a project based on filling a sensory room that we are constructing for a non-profit organization located in Bradenton, FL. This organization is called Foundation for Dreams. Foundation for Dreams serves children ages 7-17 that have any mental, physical, developmental or chronic disabilities. This foundation creates programs for children throughout the year and in the summer months. It gives children an exceptional camping experience, while fostering social skills, independence and relationship-building.
Along with the strengthening of skills, another major aspect of the mission of Foundation for Dreams is the provision of respite for parents of children with special needs. This organization provides quality daytime and overnight care. Parents have a full time job, and they often do not receive the essential breaks that they need. Foundation for Dreams not only gives parents that break, but it also gives children some of the best experiences, friendships and memories to treasure for the rest of their lives.
Foundation for Dreams is never lacking in quality staff or quality programs, but one thing that is lacking is the current amount of sensory equipment available to the children attending the programs. Our goal is to write a series of grants, fund raise, and gain support in order to construct a small building and fill this building with sensory equipment and technology that will be to every child's benefit.
Why a sensory room? Sensory input and output is important for many children with special needs, especially children on the Autism Spectrum. 1 in every 68 children in the United States are currently diagnosed with Autism. Due to this growth in the current diagnoses, a vast number of the children served at Foundation for Dreams are diagnosed with Autism. Because of sensory sensitivities, or the lack of sensitivities often seen in children on the spectrum, many children who do not receive the proper sensory input/output partake in self-injurious behaviors. We want to avoid this self-harm and problematic behavior.
Fulfilling these sensory requirements is very important to the children that Foundation for Dreams serves. We want to make sensory needs more readily available for every child. Although this is a lofty project, it is an essential one. We can't do this all on our own. We need your help to make this project a reality.
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Who are we? We are three girls attending Grove City College and majoring in Special Education. We have been touched by so many with special needs. We want to give back, and we want to make a substantial difference in any way possible. Here is a little more about each of us:
Jessica's story:
I grew up with a brother that was diagnosed with Autism at an early age, and due to experiencing his trials, I knew that I wanted to serve other children that were alike. I am currently pursuing a degree in Early Elementary Education and Special Education. I am hoping to go to graduate school to study Autism and Early Intervention in the near future. I have been involved in various organizations serving children with special needs, one these organizations being Foundation for Dreams. I have had the unique privilege and opportunity of working with this foundation throughout the summer months. It has completely changed my life. I have a desire to serve children for the rest of my life, and this project is just a small stepping stone that will have a lasting impact on Foundation for Dreams, as well as my life.
Olivia's Story:
Growing up, I have always had a special place in my heart for special needs children and young adults. Every year, I would volunteer at my local YMCA Special Olympics swim meets. Every time I would leave that meet, I would feel like I have gained the biggest reward just from watching the participants cheering each other on, giving countless hugs and high-fives, and showing humongous smiles. Because of this, I am pursuing an Elementary and Special Education career at Grove City College. After brainstorming ideas for our project, it was clear that helping build a sensory room at Foundation for Dreams was going to be the one. Just knowing that you did something to help students with special needs and seeing their smiles light up because of that is definitely going to be the best accomplishment.
Julie's Story:
I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher from a young age. I have always connected well with children and I know that I have been given a gift to be able to work with children. I decided to go to Grove City College for an Elementary/Special Education degree. As I have had more experiences working with children who have special needs, I have realized that is where my heart lies. Seeing those children make even the slightest gains and seeing how excited they get when they learn a new concept is so awesome to see. Knowing that sensory rooms are so beneficial for kids with special needs, especially those with Autism, makes me so excited for this project. If we can make just a small impact on the lives of these children, it will be so rewarding.
____________________________________________________________
Along with the strengthening of skills, another major aspect of the mission of Foundation for Dreams is the provision of respite for parents of children with special needs. This organization provides quality daytime and overnight care. Parents have a full time job, and they often do not receive the essential breaks that they need. Foundation for Dreams not only gives parents that break, but it also gives children some of the best experiences, friendships and memories to treasure for the rest of their lives.
Foundation for Dreams is never lacking in quality staff or quality programs, but one thing that is lacking is the current amount of sensory equipment available to the children attending the programs. Our goal is to write a series of grants, fund raise, and gain support in order to construct a small building and fill this building with sensory equipment and technology that will be to every child's benefit.
Why a sensory room? Sensory input and output is important for many children with special needs, especially children on the Autism Spectrum. 1 in every 68 children in the United States are currently diagnosed with Autism. Due to this growth in the current diagnoses, a vast number of the children served at Foundation for Dreams are diagnosed with Autism. Because of sensory sensitivities, or the lack of sensitivities often seen in children on the spectrum, many children who do not receive the proper sensory input/output partake in self-injurious behaviors. We want to avoid this self-harm and problematic behavior.
Fulfilling these sensory requirements is very important to the children that Foundation for Dreams serves. We want to make sensory needs more readily available for every child. Although this is a lofty project, it is an essential one. We can't do this all on our own. We need your help to make this project a reality.
___________________________________________________________
Who are we? We are three girls attending Grove City College and majoring in Special Education. We have been touched by so many with special needs. We want to give back, and we want to make a substantial difference in any way possible. Here is a little more about each of us:
Jessica's story:
I grew up with a brother that was diagnosed with Autism at an early age, and due to experiencing his trials, I knew that I wanted to serve other children that were alike. I am currently pursuing a degree in Early Elementary Education and Special Education. I am hoping to go to graduate school to study Autism and Early Intervention in the near future. I have been involved in various organizations serving children with special needs, one these organizations being Foundation for Dreams. I have had the unique privilege and opportunity of working with this foundation throughout the summer months. It has completely changed my life. I have a desire to serve children for the rest of my life, and this project is just a small stepping stone that will have a lasting impact on Foundation for Dreams, as well as my life.
Olivia's Story:
Growing up, I have always had a special place in my heart for special needs children and young adults. Every year, I would volunteer at my local YMCA Special Olympics swim meets. Every time I would leave that meet, I would feel like I have gained the biggest reward just from watching the participants cheering each other on, giving countless hugs and high-fives, and showing humongous smiles. Because of this, I am pursuing an Elementary and Special Education career at Grove City College. After brainstorming ideas for our project, it was clear that helping build a sensory room at Foundation for Dreams was going to be the one. Just knowing that you did something to help students with special needs and seeing their smiles light up because of that is definitely going to be the best accomplishment.
Julie's Story:
I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher from a young age. I have always connected well with children and I know that I have been given a gift to be able to work with children. I decided to go to Grove City College for an Elementary/Special Education degree. As I have had more experiences working with children who have special needs, I have realized that is where my heart lies. Seeing those children make even the slightest gains and seeing how excited they get when they learn a new concept is so awesome to see. Knowing that sensory rooms are so beneficial for kids with special needs, especially those with Autism, makes me so excited for this project. If we can make just a small impact on the lives of these children, it will be so rewarding.
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Organizer
Jessica Mancini
Organizer
Bradenton, FL
