|
Here's What's Coming Up!
February was an exciting month as we officially kicked off our Spring and Summer programming and what a success it was! We’re thrilled to see new programs added to our calendar and hope you are just as excited about all the opportunities ahead. February also marked our very first Spirit of Connection event, where participants enjoyed a Valentine’s Day-themed gathering focused on meeting new people and building meaningful connections. It was wonderful to see new friendships beginning to bloom!
March brings even more exciting events and new programs. First up is the Spirit of Inclusion Expo, featuring an incredible lineup of vendors and community partners such as ReCreate Yourself, A Voice For All, Special Olympics of NC, and many more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in two educational workshops: one on IEPs presented by Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center and another on mental health presented by National Alliance on Mental Illness. Our hope is that everyone leaves feeling informed, empowered, and supported with valuable resources and connections.
We are also looking forward to the return of the Egg-ceptional Zone at our annual Easter Eggstravaganza! This year, we will be relocating from the field by the historic barns to the nearby Performance Garden. Our goal in moving to this more enclosed space is to create a more inclusive, accessible, and less stimulating environment for participants. We’re also adding a few new elements to the zone that we hope you will enjoy!
Lastly, March marks the start of many of our new programs. Be sure to check out what’s coming up, we can’t wait to see you there!
| | |
Spirit of Inclusion Expo
Saturday, March 21 | 11 am-2 pm
Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road
Free and open to everyone, our Spirit of Inclusion Expo is a one-day event dedicated to connecting individuals with disabilities and their families with valuable resources and services.
Our expo aims to provide information, support, and opportunities to enhance the quality of life for attendees. This event will feature a diverse range of vendors, organizations, and experts dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities.
We hope to see you there!
| |
Egg-ceptional Zone
Saturday, March 28 | 9:30-10 am
E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road
Join us for an EGG-citing Easter Eggstravaganza!
An Egg-ceptional Zone will cater to children with disabilities and their families from 9:30-10 a.m.
The purpose of this zone is to provide a fun, safe, family-friendly environment that allows children who may have difficulty participating in a traditional egg hunt the opportunity to pick up Easter eggs at their own pace. Bring a buddy to help if needed.
The Egg-ceptional Zone will be in the Performance Garden beside the historic barns.
| | |
You're invited to to join our SPIRIT Wake Forest Facebook group!
Current and future SPIRIT program participants and their family members are invited to join our “SPIRIT Wake Forest” group on Facebook!
Within this group, we share useful information on upcoming SPIRIT Wake Forest programs, services, and special events.
Our group also serves as a forum for members to support one another, ask questions, and share insights on how we can best serve you as a member of the SPIRIT Wake Forest community.
To join, simply click on the button below!
| | |
Brain Power Bistro: Adaptive Cooking
Friday, March 20 | 10:30 am-Noon
JPCC, 701 Harris Road
Join our adaptive cooking group, Brainpower Bistro, where we simplify delicious recipes for individuals with neurological challenges (brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injuries, etc).
In each session, you'll master easy, nutritious dishes tailored to meet diverse needs, and best of all, we'll savor our culinary creations together.
Come cook, connect, and enjoy the journey to culinary independence with us!
*Caregivers encouraged to accompany students if needed.
**Upon registration, please email laura@recreateyourselfllc.com with any dietary restrictions. We will do our best to accommodate but cannot guarantee all food will meet your needs
| |
CuidArte
Monday, March 9 | 5:45-6:45 pm
JPCC, 701 Harris Road
¿Eres un cuidador que dedica tiempo y amor para apoyar a un familiar? ¿Deseas poder conectarte con otras personas que entiendan las alegrías y los desafíos del cuidado? CuidArte es un espacio acogedor donde los cuidadores se reúnen una vez al mes para compartir experiencias, explorar recursos útiles y participar en conversaciones significativas en su idioma natal. Ya sea que tengas experiencia como cuidador o estés comenzando, aquí encontrarás comunidad, apoyo y ánimo. Juntos cuidamos nuestro bienestar para poder seguir dando lo mejor a quienes cuidamos y también a nosotros mismos.
| | |
Destination Discovery
Fridays | March 6 & 20 | 6-7:30 pm
JPCC, 701 Harris Road
Play = Fun + Learning! Destination Discovery supports the development of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills and language through purposeful play and peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program also brings families together to share experiences and build relationships.
Starts March 6 and March 20 and continues every first and third Fridays of each month.
| |
Lifeology 101
Tuesdays | March 10-31 | 9-10:30 am
JPCC, 701 Harris Road
Lifeology 101 is a program designed to empower individuals to build confidence, develop practical skills, and lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Rooted in the idea that life is something we can all study, practice, and master. This program provides hands-on practical learning with real-world experiences to promote greater independence, confidence, and self-determination.
Transportation is not provided for these outings.
| |
Smiling While Sending Hope Spring Fling Dance
Saturday, March 14 | 5-7 pm
JPCC, 701 Harris Road
Get ready to dance the night away at our Spring Fling Dance hosted by Smiling While Sending Hope!
Join us for an evening full of fun, music, and smiles as we celebrate friendship, inclusion, and the joy of spring. The event will feature dancing, light refreshments, photo opportunities, and special surprises for all guests.
This is a great chance to make memories, meet new friends, and enjoy a night filled with positivity and hope!
| | |
Abilities Tennis Clinics
Saturdays | March 7-May 2 | 4-5 pm
Heritage High Park, 1150 Forestville Road
Abilities Tennis clinics provide free tennis instruction for athletes with intellectual disabilities ages 8 and up.
Participants will learn the fundamentals, play games and have fun! Parents and/or caregivers are asked to stay during the clinic.
No experience necessary. Equipment (if needed) and volunteer buddies provided. Please note: There will not be practice on April 4.
| | |
ASPIRE Respite Day Program
Wednesdays & Thursdays | 9 am-noon
JPCC, 701 Harris Road
Designed for people ages 18 and older, Aspire is our adult day program for individuals with disabilities in the Wake Forest community.
Our goal is to provide a much-needed break for caregivers.
Participants have fun making new friends, exploring new activities, unfold their creativity through arts and crafts, and stay physically active by engaging in games which get them on their feet and moving. Most importantly we provide a safe place where they are free to be themselves, give them a sense of belonging and to socialize among friends.
| |
Boundless Buddies
Monday, March 9 | 4-5:30 pm
JPCC, 701 Harris Road
Join us at our March Boundless Buddies, as enjoy an evening of fun surprise.
We are going to be doing a Riddles Scavenger Hunt! Come hangout with new friends with a fun evening getting competitive.
If you haven’t already be sure to register for this event!
| |
Caregiver Kindred
Wednesday, March 11 | 5:30-6:30 pm
JPCC, 701 Harris Road
Kindred embodies connectivity, similarities, and familial connections.
Are you a parent or care provider for an individual with a disability? Do you crave to connect with others to have fruitful discussion about the opportunities, resources, and hurdles faced in your daily life when providing care to your loved ones?
Caregivers Kindred will be the place where we will join each other once a month to discuss topics, gain resources, and connect with those walking in similar shoes. Whether you consider yourself the expert or the novice, we are all kindred here and are eager to learn from one another.
| |
Smiling While Sending Hope Ability Club
Tuesday, March 17 | 6-7:30 p.m.
JPCC, 701 Harris Road
Smiling While Sending Hope Ability Club is where youth will have the opportunity to explore and engage with STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics through hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and creative problem-solving.
The program is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and encourage innovation in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Join Smiling While Sending Hope Instructor Katie Haynes for a wonderfully fun evening!
| | |
Calendar of Events
Click on the calendar to view a larger version of our March 2026 calendar of events.
| | |
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to lead Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). The annual campaign highlights how people with and without disabilities come together to form strong communities.
NACDD’s 2025 theme, We’re Here All Year, emphasizes that community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day not just in March.
This month reminds us that individuals with developmental disabilities are valuable members of our communities and deserve full participation in all aspects of life, including education, employment, recreation, and civic engagement.
| |
Dyscalculia Awareness Day 2026
Dyscalculia Day (3rd March) aims to raise awareness and bring attention to the challenges faced by those with dyscalculia, provide educational resources, and promote understanding in schools, homes and workplaces.
It aims to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for better support and accommodations for people with dyscalculia.
People with dyscalculia may struggle with number sense, arithmetic, understanding patterns, dealing with money and telling the time.
This day is part of a broader effort to improve access to learning and support for people with various learning differences.
| |
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness
March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and push for better research, treatment, and support.
Cerebral palsy (CP) affects movement and muscle control, making everyday tasks more challenging for the more than 1 million people in the U.S. living with it.
| |
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month during March encourages support for the nearly 400,000 people diagnosed in the United States with this unpredictable disorder. It is a disease of the central nervous system, affecting the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Each day, those living with multiple sclerosis do everything they can to push forward. Despite all the challenges they face, they persevere and often, with treatment, you and I wouldn't know the struggles they overcome.
| |
National Trisomy Awareness Month
Trisomy is the presence of an additional, or third, chromosome in a human cell that typically has just two chromosomes. This extra chromosome can cause many types of developmental disabilities.
During Trisomy Awareness Month in March, many national family advocacy organizations try to raise awareness about the cause, evaluation and treatment of these genetic disorders, especially trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13.
| | |
What is SPIRIT Wake Forest?
SPIRIT Wake Forest is our way of identifying the initiatives, activities and events offered by the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department's Specialized Programs & Inclusion. It stands for Specialized Programs and Inclusion Resources for Individuals Throughout Wake Forest.
Our staff has a wide variety of experience working with people of all physical, emotional, and cognitive abilities.
We offer fun, adaptive, and inclusive recreation opportunities in our community including adaptive sports, social and fitness programs, and after school activities - with more on the way.
| | |
You have received this e-mail because you are subscribed to E-Notifier – part of the Town of Wake Forest’s e-mail subscription service. E-Notifier keeps you up-to-date on Town of Wake Forest news, information, and special events. If you believe you have been subscribed in error, or would like to cancel your subscription, you may unsubscribe below.
If you have questions or comments about the Town of Wake Forest website or E-Notifier, please contact Bill Crabtree by email or call 919-435-9421.
|
| | | |
