Upcoming SOAR (Special Opportunities, Abilities and Relationships) Ministry at Grace Church! Please share with your friends! Please note that our next R&R night is on a WEDNESDAY – this is a new experiment for the summer and so many families and volunteers being gone on the weekends. Please let me know if you can attend OR if you are unable to attend this event. Our spots WILL fill fast.

SOARly Needed R&R (Refuel & Refresh)

• The Grace ministry for families with special needs (Special Opportunities, Abilities and Relationships) is hosting a night of respite for parents. Parents can enjoy a break while leaving their children (birth to 70 y/o) in the lovingly care of responsible volunteers. We know that every parent needs an occasional break from the 24-hour, 7-day-a-week care of their special needs child. This allows the parents or care givers a chance to go out, shop, or just relax, enjoying some much needed time to themselves. During this time, the children will enjoy crafts, movies, games, and other fun and awesome activities. This program is FREE and is open to anyone who has a need. Dinner will be provided to all children at no charge (pepperoni or cheese pizza). Children with food allergies and special diets are welcome to bring their own food items. Our volunteers will love your child and families in a safe and secure environment. Our staff of volunteers will include medical doctors, registered nurses, physical therapists, special-ed teachers, assistants/aides and many more loving supporters for your family. All volunteers have been thoroughly screened with background checks.
• This program is also opened to siblings (birth-8^th grade). All parents of a child with special needs know that the siblings of that child do not have a “normal” life, and may miss out on some special events because of the greater need of the sibling. We provide opportunities for kids to connect with their peers and share their unique journey in a safe and secure environment. This evening we will also focus on making a special evening for the sibling which will be fun, exciting, and a night that they can do “normal” things.

When: WEDNESDAY, July 10, 6 – 9pm

Where: Grace Church, 159^th and Antioch, Overland Park

How to Register: Registration is required for this program and space is limited (due by May 1). If you have attended previously, just email shunsley@graceks.org to reserve your place (please also include the siblings that will be coming). If you have not participated previously, please email shunsley@graceks.org and I will get the application to you.

SOAR Family Support Group

This support group is for families of special needs individuals. This is a place where parents can laugh, cry, and pray together. We often focus on topics that relate to raising a child with special needs and allow parents to share with one another. We try to meet on a monthly basis.

Our speaker is TBD. Child care is provided as the normal Children’s Ministry classes will be occurring at the same time.

When: Saturday, June 15, 6-7:15pm

Where: Grace Church, 159^th and Antioch, Overland Park, Rooms 113A and B

How to Register: Email shunsley@graceks.org (Please include if your kids are coming so we can plan accordingly).

If you haven’t already, please “like” our new Facebook page: SOAR Special Needs Ministry at Grace Church. We give multiple updates everyone with great resources for you as a parent and updates and what we are doing.

Please feel free to forward this information to any family who could benefit from it! I look forward to ministering to your family! Have a blessed day!

Doc

Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D.

SOAR Special Needs and People Care Pastor

Grace@Home Co-Director

Grace Church
8500 W. 159th Street
Overland Park  KS  66223
P: 913.814.7223   F: 913.851.0959
VisitGraceChurch.com
OWNit365.com

facebook.com/SoarSpecialNeedsMinistryAtGraceChurch

Hey SOAR families Please see the attached handout for the annual Special Needs Day event at the Overland Park Fire Department.  This event is geared to children of all ages that have special needs and to their families.  It is May 18, Saturday, from 9:30 – 2:00 p.m.  There is no cost involved in attending.  The families will be served a free lunch, have rides on the fire truck, watch demonstrations, and participate in many family friendly activities.   This was always a highlight for our family, I hope you can go. Don’t forget the SOAR Family Support Group that evening from 6-7 on Summer Camp Opportunities.

Special Needs Flier 2013

 Thanks Doc 

Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D.
SOAR Special Needs Ministry Director
Grace Church Children’s Ministry
8500 W. 159th Street
Overland Park  KS  66223
P: 913-814-7223
www.VisitGraceChurch.com
www.OWNit365.comwww.facebook.com/SoarSpecialNeedsMinistryAtGraceChurch

2013 InterHab Push Day Every year the Kansas legislature convenes a wrap-up session to work on a massive “omnibus” appropriations bill.  It is during this omnibus session that InterHab hosts its annual Push Day rally outside the Kansas capitol to demonstrate concerns for pressing issues affecting Kansans with developmental disabilities.   Please plan on joining us in Topeka on Wednesday, May 8th beginning at 10:30 a.m.for a rally to permamently carve out long-term DD care from Governor Brownback’s “KanCare” proposal.  Please see a complete schedule of events, parking information, and t-shirt order forms here.     If you would to attend please RSVP by Thursday, April 25th to Abby Hardwick at ahardwick@lakemaryctr.org and registration details will be provided.