Promote, strengthen and support individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers

JUNE 2019
FOSTER FAMILY APPRECIATION
May was a busy month for promoting Foster Care Awareness and Special Kids Special Families was there to recognize our foster families during our annual Foster Family Appreciation luncheon held at the Hotel Elegante. We honored several foster families for their contribution in caring for children in need. We'd like to thank the following businesses for donating to the luncheon and making it a success!


Congratulations to the Martinez family!
May 20th at 8am Raymond James Matthew and Tiana Nicole Angel became official members of the Martinez family. Raymond and Tiana have been in the Martinez home for 2 years and 9 months. This was their second adoption hearing. The first was denied – which was especially difficult for the children who were very upset, fearing that they wouldn’t be adopted and that somehow it was their fault. Today was a great day of celebration for all the family members. ”It’s wonderful and the whole family is glad the fight is over,” said Mrs. Martinez. “It’s like a weight has been lifted and all the stress went away.” The family stressed the importance of having a strong Child Placement Team at SKSF to support them during these past years, and knowing they are a part of a bigger family! Everyone at  Special Kids Special Families  wishes them the very best!
A VISIT TO ZACH'S PLACE
Steve Nesselhuf, Sales Manager at  Brady Industries  in Denver, visited Zach’s Place where staff, clients and board members thanked him for the “Brady Shines” $2,000 grant to support the program. Thank you cards were made by the kiddos to present to the Brady team! Thanks for your support!
SKSF IN THE NEWS

Take a listen. SKSF staff members, Jon Karroll & Maria Herald talk with  Mountain Country  this morning about the need for foster parents in our area - great information! If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, visit our website at  www.sksfcolorado.org  or call our Child Placement offices at 719-345-1735.

SKSF Foster Parent Kristen Longshore and  Jon Karroll SKSF   Development & Communications Manager joined Jill Bradley from El Paso County Department of Human Services and Mary Gerlach from Colorado DHS on "The Extra" radio program with host Renae Roberts on KRDO NewsRadio. The topic was National Foster Care Month. Kristen gave a nice perspective as a parent of four foster children all placed through SKSF. We discussed the process to become a foster parent, the benefits, and busted a few myths!

(Photo: L-R Jill Bradley, Jon Karroll, Mary Gerlach, Kristen Longshore).
EVENTS & COMMUNITY
FOSTER CARE INFORMATION
If you are considering fostering a child, come to our Orientation meeting & we'll answer all your questions! Tuesday, June 4th from 5:30pm-6:30pm at our SKSF Child Placement offices, 620 Southpointe Court, Ste. 155, Colorado Springs.

Special Kids Special Families offers this informational meeting to answer all your questions the first Tuesday of every month! Contact Sandra to RSVP or for more information (719)244-5113 or email at sdunlap@sksfcolorado.org . Print event flyer
QMAP TRAINING
Special Kids Special Families is a Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) Approved Training Entity and offers QMAP courses monthly for Support Staff and Host Home Providers caring for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Next open class is Friday, July 19th 8am.  All classes include Universal/Standard Precautions. End time depends on class size (usually 4pm). Classes limited to 10 persons.
NIGHT OF COMEDY FUNDRAISING MEETING
We are starting to work on the Special Kids Special Families Night of Comedy signature fundraising event - the BEST one yet! All proceeds help support Zach's Place center for children with disabilities and special needs.If you are interested in volunteering, JOIN US for our first committee meeting:
Tuesday June 11th | 5:30-6:30pm
SKSF Adult Services Conference Room, 3450 N. Nevada Ave, Suite 110

We are seeking people who can volunteer their time once a month to attend meetings and bring their ideas to the table. We'll need volunteers to help with obtaining sponsors, silent auction items, arranging silent auction packages, helping with decoration, ushers, registration, etc...

Interested? Contact Susan Saksa, Event Coordinator 719-651-7749
susanesaksa@gmail.com OR Jon Karroll, Development & Communications Manager 719-447-8983 x42 | jkarroll@sksfcolorado.org
CHARITY GOLF EVENT
T he  Colorado Springs Country Club  will once again be hosting their Annual Charity Golf Tournament and donating their proceeds to  Special Kids Special Families ! Don't miss this event on Sunday September 15th!

Sign up today as space is limited. Seeking sponsorships.

Special Kids Special Families sponsored the Arc Pikes Peak Growing Together 2019 Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration ! Photo shown - the SKSF  crew at the awards dinner - all smiles - great people making a difference for our community! Inclusiveness and acceptance for ALL people with varying abilities. It was a FUN time!
A $2,500 check was presented by  Walmart Colorado Springs - E Woodmen Rd to  SKSF  during a grand re-opening following an extensive remodeling. As part of the ceremony, they presented checks to a half-dozen local organizations through their Charity Giving program. Thanks so much for your continued support throughout the years!
SKSF Zach's Place Center Assistant, Brandi Jordan accepts a check of over $4,000 from Rebecca Armenta,  EastSide Eagles #3260 Fraternal Order of Eagles  member and other members. She raised money specifically for the SKSF Zach's Place program through monthly pizza dinners, bingo, and writing grants to their national organization! Thank you!
VOLUNTEERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
A group of student volunteers from  The Classical Academy  Hight School in Colorado Springs cleaned buses and helped prep the garden at our Adult Services Joey’s Place program. They also assisted Zach's Place staff and brought the kids to the park and created thank you cards for Brady Industries for the recent grant received. What a fantastic group of youth - making a difference in our community! Thank you!

If you are interested in volunteering with Special Kids Special Families, contact Julia at 719-447-8983 or visit our website for more volunteer opportunities.
GRANTS AWARDED TO SKSF
We'd like to thank the following foundations and grantors for their generous donations to support our programs for individuals with disabilities and their families!

Myron Stratton Foundation
Marson Foundation
Luther T. McCauley Charitable Trust
Turn your Father's Day shopping into a force for good! When you shop Amazon.com be sure to log in with this link: smile.amazon.com/ch/84-1476535  and Amazon donates to Special Kids Special Families! It's that easy!
Thank you for your support!