We get by with a little help for our friends

Club Kangaroo continues to roll along, with each Sunday bringing new teaching and learning experiences for all of us. It is so uplifting and satisfying to watch our younger helpers (5/6th grade) take on the responsibility of assisting kids with special needs. As the weeks go by, the confidence grows in each of these helpers as does their love for "their" kids. However, it only starts there. The club kids themselves, especially those on the spectrum, have all shown "improvement" in the classrooms and in their interactions with their buddies. The parents are more at ease because they can go into service and not worry about their child; further, when they pick up their child, they aren't hearing the "negative". Of course there are tough times, but when we step back and look at it as a whole, it is so exciting!

So, since things are going well, it's time to take the next big step - it's time for outreach. We could come up with 100 excuses, but it's time to actively invite the community around our church to enjoy the benefits of Club Kangaroo. We've already seen parents come who had previously not gone to church because they didn't believe there was a place for their child. How wonderful it would be to meet more families like this and really give them a place of respite each week.

Speaking of respite, we work with Green Pastures who brings churches in the area together who are serving those with disabilities/special needs. We had a great meeting last night in which several churches shared how their ministries are growing, how the kids are doing, how the helpers doing, and so on. And of course, we all shared our ever-present need for more volunteers. We also heard from Joni and Friends about their family summer camps; if you need to get away with the whole family, check it out!

Green Pastures hosts a respite event each month at a local church - here are the next few:
March 10, 1-5, at First Baptist in San Mateo

April 14 at Grace Lutheran in Palo Alto

May 5 at Saratoga Federated in Saratoga

June 2 at Los Altos United Methodist

If you live in the South Bay and would like an afternoon of respite, please feel free to email me, or contact Green Pastures to reserve a spot.

Also, if you are in the South Bay and would like to go to church - your child is welcome! Please feel free to come to Bethel Church in San Jose. Here are some of the other churches in the area with similar ministries (that we know about):
Great Exchange Covenant Church (Santa Clara, CA)
Saratoga Federated (Saratoga, CA)
Crosswinds Church (Dublin, CA)
Calvary Church (Los Gatos, CA)
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship (Mountain View, CA)