Zach's Place Respite Care Center
Donation protected
Did you know that Zach's Place program at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center (a program of Special Kids Special Families) is the ONLY licensed respite childcare center in the Pikes Peak region and one of only two in the whole state of Colorado! The Center is a lifeline for families raising children with disabilities.
A note from Founder and Executive Director, Linda Ellegard: It has been my privilege to be the founder of Special Kids Special Families , and I would like to share a little of my story and history. In 1990, my friend Linda Rivera and I were both raising children with special needs. As mothers, we realized the limited resources available to assist parents and family members of individuals with disabilities. We experienced first-hand the struggles and stress. I am sad to share with you that both of us suffered the loss of our children, but shortly thereafter, we took the first steps to create Special Kids Special Families as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to fill the critical needs we saw for support of families and individuals with disabilities.
In 1998, we opened Zach’s Place Center , a respite and childcare facility. Since that time Special Kids Special Families has expanded its reach filling the growing needs in this community. In 2001, we launched a therapeutic foster care program, and in 2005, we added programs for adults with disabilities and host home services (adult foster care).
Zach's Place NEW facility at 4795 Granby Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
The mission statement for Special Kids Special Families is to promote, strengthen and support individuals with disabilities and their families. Throughout our organizational growth, we have been committed to providing at holistic approach to supporting families that include a child or adult with developmental disabilities and special needs.
Today, we seek your support as we move to purchase a new larger facility for our Zach’s Place program that will allow us to meet the increasing demand for respite care and add preschool programming to our menu of program options.
When a family is told their child has special needs - it changes their lives forever. The dreams they had for their child are suddenly challenged and they realize this child is going to need care for the rest of their life. The physical and emotional needs of caring for a special needs child is overwhelming, but doesn’t mean they love their child any less… these families need help.
The services provided by Zach’s Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center are an answer to helping these families. Providing customized care and short-term breaks, relieves stress, prevents child abuse and helps families stay together when the only other option might be out of home institutional placement.
Our goal is to greatly increase the number of children and families we can help. Owning the Zach’s Place center building and keeping overhead costs low is an important facet of our long-term financial stability, which will help us provide respite care for years to come.
Help us fund Zach’s Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center and make it possible to serve the children and families that need our help. Help us change lives - we would be so grateful.
THANK YOU for your support!
Click here for more information about Zach's Place.
Your donation helps us provide families with specialized childcare and valuable respite giving them relief from the 24/7 care that needs to be provided to their loved one with a disability or special need.
By donating, you care truly making a difference in the lives of these families! Read more family testimonials of how Zach's Place has made a HUGE difference...
A note from Founder and Executive Director, Linda Ellegard: It has been my privilege to be the founder of Special Kids Special Families , and I would like to share a little of my story and history. In 1990, my friend Linda Rivera and I were both raising children with special needs. As mothers, we realized the limited resources available to assist parents and family members of individuals with disabilities. We experienced first-hand the struggles and stress. I am sad to share with you that both of us suffered the loss of our children, but shortly thereafter, we took the first steps to create Special Kids Special Families as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to fill the critical needs we saw for support of families and individuals with disabilities.
In 1998, we opened Zach’s Place Center , a respite and childcare facility. Since that time Special Kids Special Families has expanded its reach filling the growing needs in this community. In 2001, we launched a therapeutic foster care program, and in 2005, we added programs for adults with disabilities and host home services (adult foster care).
Zach's Place NEW facility at 4795 Granby Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
The mission statement for Special Kids Special Families is to promote, strengthen and support individuals with disabilities and their families. Throughout our organizational growth, we have been committed to providing at holistic approach to supporting families that include a child or adult with developmental disabilities and special needs.
Today, we seek your support as we move to purchase a new larger facility for our Zach’s Place program that will allow us to meet the increasing demand for respite care and add preschool programming to our menu of program options.
When a family is told their child has special needs - it changes their lives forever. The dreams they had for their child are suddenly challenged and they realize this child is going to need care for the rest of their life. The physical and emotional needs of caring for a special needs child is overwhelming, but doesn’t mean they love their child any less… these families need help.
The services provided by Zach’s Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center are an answer to helping these families. Providing customized care and short-term breaks, relieves stress, prevents child abuse and helps families stay together when the only other option might be out of home institutional placement.
Our goal is to greatly increase the number of children and families we can help. Owning the Zach’s Place center building and keeping overhead costs low is an important facet of our long-term financial stability, which will help us provide respite care for years to come.
Help us fund Zach’s Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center and make it possible to serve the children and families that need our help. Help us change lives - we would be so grateful.
THANK YOU for your support!
Click here for more information about Zach's Place.
Your donation helps us provide families with specialized childcare and valuable respite giving them relief from the 24/7 care that needs to be provided to their loved one with a disability or special need. By donating, you care truly making a difference in the lives of these families! Read more family testimonials of how Zach's Place has made a HUGE difference...Organizer and beneficiary
Pat Sksf
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO
Jessica Shubert
Beneficiary
