Rodney Lough Jr. Gallery Opening

Legendary Photographer, Rodney Lough Jr., has opened his newest gallery and is Celebrating by Hosting an event for Unicorn Children's Foundation.

Come join him and others for this magical event with 20% of all proceeds of the night going to the charity to help kids with special needs excel in their communities.

RSVP: http://unicornchildrensfoundation.org/Rodney

NEWS UPDATE: Unicorn Village Academy

The focus of Unicorn Village Academy is on the “whole student” (Life skills, Academics, and Employment), encouraging independence, self-advocacy, and preparation for life.

http://www.unicornvillageacademy.com/

Rose + Ouzo Bay

Time is running out to secure your tickets for Rose!

When you purchase your VIP Ticket, you will be invited to Ouzo Bay - Boca Raton​'s Grand Opening Celebration which includes hors d'oeuvres and beverages.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to help kids with special needs excel in their communities.

http://miznerparkculturalcenter.com/events/rose-unicorn-childrens-foundation-benefit-performance/

Special Needs Advisory Coalition of Palm Beach County's Inaugural Special Needs Housing Solutions Summit is a BIG Success!

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Jupiter, Florida (November 28, 2017) – The Special Needs Advisory Coalition of Palm Beach County, in partnership with Els for Autism Foundation at The Els Center of Excellence, hosted their inaugural Special Needs Housing Solutions Summit November 17th & 18th in Jupiter, Florida with nearly 100 attendees. Parents of adults with disabilities frequently ask, "Who will take care of my loved one, and where will they live when I’m gone?" The summit was designed to specifically equip family members of such adults to respond to this multi-faceted question. To do this, agencies with residential and support services and housing providers from throughout Florida and the U.S. attended to share their expertise and experience through educational workshops and panel discussions. Attendees ranged from those just learning what questions to ask to those who understand the gaps and wanted to collaborate with other parents and providers to piece together supportive housing solutions. Thirty-two of our attendees signed-up to serve on a special task force that will take information learned from the Summit, specifically outcomes of our Palm Beach County Special Needs Housing SWOT analysis, and determine follow-up actions and activities to be launched in 2018.   

The Summit agenda started with an opening night reception on Friday November 17th in the El’s Center’s newly opened Pavilion and Sensory Arts Garden. The all-day Summit on Saturday, November 18th, featured nearly thirty (30) presenters and speakers leading workshops and conversations about housing issues that matter to our community. The Summit also offered local and national keynote speakers, seventeen (17) break-out sessions/workshops, lunch to attendees and an opportunity for the community to come together and collaborate.

"The Summit was a top priority of the Special Needs Advisory Coalition's Housing Task Force", said Sharon Alexander, CEO, Unicorn Children's Foundation. "The Summit was made possible by the extremely talented and dedicated members of our SNAC Housing Task Force, as well as, generous sponsors, volunteers and partners. A tremendous Thank You to everyone who played a role in making the Special Needs Housing Solutions Summit a reality and a huge success!" said Ms. Alexander. Kerri Morse, EdD, Adult Services Manager at the Els for Autism Foundation and Summit Chairperson said," It is a pleasure working with families and community members that are ready to change the discussion from, “What housing options are available for adults with special needs” to “Let’s create housing options for adults with special needs.”  "We can’t just look for answers, we need to begin creating them".

Plans are already being made for another Special Needs Housing Solutions Summit in the fall of 2018, creating another exciting opportunity for the community to come together and collaborate. More information about the Summit and presenters/speakers may be found at www.snachousingsummit.org.

About SNAC of Palm Beach County

In 2014, Unicorn Children’s Foundation (UCF) initiated a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment (CNA) supported by a mix of public and private sponsors (Autism Project of Palm Beach County, Autism After 21, Children’s Services Council, Els for Autism Foundation, Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County (including the Youth Services and Community Services Departments), Quantum Foundation, Ruth and Norman Rales Jewish Family Services, and The Taft Foundation).  Based on extensive public participation, The State of Special Needs in Palm Beach County highlighted the absence of a comprehensive, integrated system of care to meet the changing needs of the estimated 12% of the county’s population with disabilities throughout their lifespan.

This resulted in the formation of the Special Needs Advisory Coalition (SNAC) in 2015, a group whose 260 representatives of 100 participating organizations formed task forces to address:

• Transitioning
• Respite
• Employment
• Housing
• Advocacy
• Future Planning

This Housing Solutions conference is a top priority of the Housing Task Force, along with a consulting Housing Navigator to identify options and provide guidance to family members and individuals in need here in Palm Beach County.

​

For more information about SNAC and how to get involved, please contact Tony Beall, SNAC Facilitator & Strategist at Tony@all4civicengagement.org

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive, integrated system of care which supports and connects individuals with special needs and disabilities and their families to community- based services and opportunities.

Our vision is a community that comes together to enhance the lives of individuals with special needs and disabilities and provide opportunities for meaningful engagement throughout Palm Beach County.

More Than 1 Way to Celebrate Giving Tuesday

There's More Than 1 Way to Give Back!

Today is #GivingTuesday! #GivingTuesday is a celebration of America’s greatest traditions: generosity, entrepreneurialism, community. Everyone has something to give. You can give time or expertise, monetary donations large or small, simple acts of kindness, or simply spreading the word.

Remember, if you are looking to maximize your tax savings before the end of the year, please consider donating during #GivingTuesday. Giving money or goods to a tax-exempt charity, such as Unicorn Children's Foundation, before December 31 can usually be deducted on that year’s federal income tax return.

You can help children and young adults with special needs excel in their communities.

www.UnicornChildrensFoundation.org

Donate Now: https://www.giveffect.com/checkout/5787

Purchase the perfect holiday gift, and 15% of the proceeds will benefit Unicorn Children's Foundation 

RSVP: http://donate.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/campaigns/5786-holiday-birthday-party

Please join us for a special benefit performance of ROSE. 50% of the proceeds will benefit Unicorn Children's Foundation 

Purchase Tickets: http://miznerparkculturalcenter.com/events/rose-unicorn-childrens-foundation-benefit-performance/

Learn More: http://www.unicornvillageacademy.com/

Learn More: http://www.211palmbeach.org/special-needs

Learn More: https://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/snac.html

Learn More: https://getcaughtbeingkind.org/

Learn More: https://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/esdm.html

Learn More: https://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/mobileclinic.html

Dena Lyons Couture will donate 20% of proceeds back to Unicorn Children's Foundation when you shop for blouses, bow ties, cashmere scarves and more!

Shop Now: http://denalyonscouture.com/coupon/giftunicornfoundation

When you use checkout code UNICORN, you will receive 20% off your order, and 20% will benefit Unicorn Children's Foundation!

Shop Now: https://mammothcoffeeroastingco.com/shop/

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to The Unicorn Children's Foundation whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.

Shop Now: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/57-1168205

Become a Volunteer!!

Sign Up Now: http://donate.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/charities/4565/volunteer_application

#GetCaughtBeingKind

Show your compassion and support for kids with special needs.

As a child, no one wants to be viewed as “different”, but I can tell you that 1 of 6 children will be labelled as damaged because 1 of 6 children is diagnosed with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodiversities. And if it is your child or grandchild, just imagine how they are suffering…being bullied by peers…being called lazy by teachers…being alone… Unicorn C.A.R.E.S. and we need you to be part of our C.A.R.E.S. program to ensure that these children and so many families here in our community do not remain isolated and underestimated.

Connecting to resources
Advocating for inclusive opportunities
Respecting differences
Empowering individuals
Supporting communities

Bracelets are 100% Medical Grade Silicone and Latex-Free. Post your selfie with #GetCaughtBeingKind and tag us @ucfoundation

Buy a Bracelet: https://getcaughtbeingkind.org/products/getcaughtbeingkind-bracelet

The #UNselfie, or the selfless selfie, is a powerful way to show how and why you are giving. Take a “selfie” with our sign. Add the hashtags #UNselfie and #GivingTuesday. Post it to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat - share far and wide & get your friends to join you!

Halloween Masquerade Video

Relive the magic of the Halloween Masquerade at Lips - Fort Lauderdale on 10/29/17 courtesy of Eye On South Florida! 

http://www.eyeonsouthflorida.com/unicorn-childrens-foundation-drags-out-awareness/

It's Cyber Monday!

Shop Amazon Smile today and EVERY time you shop Amazon to help kids with special needs excel in their communities!

That's right - when you go to smile.amazon.com/ch/57-1168205, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price back to to The Unicorn Children's Foundation.

Bookmark this link and support us every time you shop! Every little bit makes a BIG difference.

Small Business Saturday

Drink Coffee and Help Kids with Special Needs this Small Business Saturday!

20% of all sales directly benefit Unicorn Children's Foundation when you buy delicious coffee from Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co.! #ShopSmall

https://mammothcoffeeroastingco.com/shop/

Black Friday 2017

Support us when you shop on Black Friday. Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/57-1168205 and Amazon donates to The Unicorn Children's Foundation!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We all have a reason to be thankful. Our reason is you! 

Thank you for your continued support as we work to inspire and empower individuals with neurodiversity to lead productive and fulfulled lives.

We wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Grandma's Place​ Family Support Program

ROSE

Unicorn Children's Foundation is so THANKFUL to benefit from this special performance of ROSE: An Intimate Portrait of Rose Kennedy!

By Best-Selling Author Laurence Leamer

Directed by Steve Scott

Starring Linda Reiter – Winner of Best Actress Award – Off-Broadway and Chicago!

Rose is an intimate portrait of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, Camelot’s “queen mother,” as she retraces the rise and fall of her great family. Based on never-before-heard interviews compiled by distinguished Kennedy biographer Laurence Leamer, returning to the stage after a sold-out Chicago and Off-Broadway run!

http://miznerparkculturalcenter.com/events/rose-unicorn-childrens-foundation-benefit-performance/

4th Annual Bartender's Battle Photos

The photos from our 4th Annual Bartender's Battle are now online!

View them here

Join Us for a a Special Benefit Performance of ROSE

ROSE, presents an intimate portrait of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, Camelot’s “queen mother,” as she retraces the rise and fall of her great family. Set in 1969 at the Kennedy’s Hyannis Port compound, one week after Teddy Kennedy’s infamous car accident on a bridge in Chappaquiddick, Mass, Rose reflects on her life and her family’s triumphs and tragedies.

http://miznerparkculturalcenter.com/events/rose-unicorn-childrens-foundation-benefit-performance/

It's Special Needs Supportive Housing Awareness Week!

Did You Know...

This week was Special Needs Supportive Housing Awareness Week?

That's right - it's official! November 12-19, 2017 was proclaimed by Mayor Burdick at the Board of County Commissioners meeting this month!!

Thank you to all who participated in our 2017 Special Needs Housing Solutions Summit this weekend!

Thank You for Supporting our 4th Annual Bartender's Battle!

Our 4th Annual Bartender’s Battle was a huge success!!! Thank you to our AMAZING Bartenders: Joey Giannuzzi and Nancy Stewart, Gregory Fried and Marilyn Blanco-Corey, Logan Skees and Corey Reichbach, and your Champions, Sarah and Melissa Hassan!!!!

We are so grateful for our Event Sponsor, Farmer's Table Boca for ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised helps kids and young adults with special needs excel in the community. Thank you to our Media Sponsors Simply The Best Magazine and Eye On South Florida!!

We were so fortunate to have Top-Ten Billboard Dance Artist Kendra Erika perform 3 songs!!!! Wow!!!!

Most of all, thank you to everyone who voted and came out to raise a glass for the awareness of Neurodiversity.

Congratulations Sarah and Melissa!

Congratulations to your 4th Annual Bartender’s Battle Champions, Sarah and Melissa Hassan!!!!!!