It's not too late to sign up for Parent Chats!

We are here for you when you need someone to talk to!

It's not too late to sign up:

https://donate.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/ge/chat

Unicorn Children’s Foundation to Host a Series of Chats for Parent of Children and Adults with Special Needs

The Unicorn Children’s Foundation is delighted to announce weekly parent chats for parents of children and adults with special needs.  While the burdens of educating your children are lifted as the school year ends, there is still a need to stay connected.  These parent chats will provide an informal opportunity for parents of similar-aged children to socialize, share challenges, and exchange tips and strategies.

These programs are an addition to the virtual Unicorn Connection Center’s support and resource offerings for people with special needs and their families by providing access to information, guidance, learning, and social opportunities.  Sharon Alexander, CEO of Unicorn Children’s Foundation, states “We recognize that often we learn best from others with lived experience.”  These parent chats will be moderated by individuals with expertise in special needs and special education.  If needed, subject matter experts may be brought in as guest speakers to address more specific concerns and questions.

• Pre-K (2-5 years of age) meets weekly on Thursdays from 12-1pm beginning June 4.
• Elementary (6-10 years of age) meets weekly on Mondays from 5:30-6:30pm beginning June 1.
• Pre-Teens (11-13 years of age) meets weekly on Mondays from 6:30-7:30pm beginning June 1.
• Transitioning Youth and Emerging Adults (14-22 years of age) meets weekly on Sundays from 5:30-6:30pm beginning June 7.
• Adults (23 years of age and up) meets weekly on Sundays from 6:30-7:30pm beginning June 7.

There will be a maximum enrollment of 10 participants per parent chat group, so register early to secure your spot.  To register, visit https://donate.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/ge/chat or email info@unicornchildrensfoundation.org.  Be sure to sign up for the Unicorn Children’s Foundation newsletter to ensure that you are updated as we continue to expand our virtual program offerings at the virtual Unicorn Connection Center.  We continue innovating to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society have opportunities to find meaning and purpose as engaged members of the “virtual” community until we can re-open the doors of our physical location. 

June Virtual Support Group for Parents of Special Needs

In an effort to stay connected after school is out, while still recognizing people's need for some time off, we will meet weekly to exchange ideas and support one another during the COVID pandemic.

https://donate.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/ge/chat

Unicorn Children’s Foundation Announces Mindfulness Workshop for People with Special Needs and The Community

The Unicorn Children’s Foundation is delighted to announce 2 upcoming workshop series on Mindfulness Stress Reduction during May Mental Health Awareness Month.  These offerings are an addition to the virtual support and resource offerings for people with special needs and their families by providing access to information, guidance, learning, and social opportunities.

Iris Neil, M.Ed., facilitator of the workshops shared “With the bombardment of news about disasters, pandemics, crime, and uncertainty, our minds can create an unease, elevating stress and anxiety. Mindfulness based stress reduction helps to calm the chatter in our minds which is a crucial skill in the world we live in today. Mindfulness helps to build skills needed to manage stress, build resilience and cope with changes.”

The workshops will be offered weekly during the month of May.  One workshop will be geared to emerging adults, aged 16 – 30, who have one or more identified special needs.  These sessions will be conducted each week on Thursday from 3-4pm beginning on May 7.  There is a $10 required deposit which can be refunded upon completion of the program.  A second workshop will be open to the general public for a $150 “buy one, give one” fee that allows the Foundation to offer the workshop to students with special needs for free.  These sessions will be conducted each week on Wednesday from 3-4pm beginning on May 6.  There will be a maximum enrollment of 10 participants per workshop, so register early to secure your spot.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, is an effective-research based program for reducing physical and psychological stress. Research has shown that the benefits of mindfulness meditation increases the ability to cope with chronic pain, develops self-awareness, effective communication skills, and most importantly a non-judgmental awareness that enables us to respond with greater clarity, stability and understanding to life’s stressors, rather than reacting in unhealthy ways.

To register, visit https://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/mind.html or email info@unicornchildrensfoundation.org.  Be sure to sign up for the Unicorn Children’s Foundation newsletter to ensure that you are updated as we continue to expand our virtual program offerings at the virtual Unicorn Connection Center.  We continue innovating to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society have opportunities to find meaning and purpose as engaged members of the “virtual” community until we can re-open the doors of our physical location. 

Unicorn Children’s Foundation is Seeking Partners to Provide Virtual Support for People with Special Needs and Their Families

Thank you The Boca Raton Tribune!!!

https://www.bocaratontribune.com/bocaratonnews/2020/04/unicorn-childrens-foundation-is-seeking-partners-to-provide-virtual-support-for-people-with-special-needs-and-their-families/

Unicorn Children’s Foundation is Seeking Partners to Provide Virtual Support for People with Special Needs and Their Families

In response to the “stay at home” orders affecting so many worldwide, The Unicorn Children’s Foundation is pivoting to provide virtual supports and resources to people with special needs and their families.  The Foundation is seeking partners to provide virtual programs to a population who typically suffer from social isolation.  Now is the time to take advantage of technology and ensure families have access to information, guidance, learning, and social opportunities.

Sharon Alexander, CEO of the Unicorn Children’s Foundation, shared “So many families urgently need our help as students with special needs are no longer in school, adults with special needs have lost jobs, and families are struggling to help their child(ren) continue to progress.”

The Unicorn Children’s Foundation is requesting proposals for presentations from individuals who would be willing to participate in the virtual Unicorn Connection Center.  Prospective partners may have a special skill or hobby to offer as a social/recreational program (art, crafts, cooking, sewing, etc.) or have a specialized certificate/license to provide therapeutic/educational programs (early interventionist, teachers, social workers, attorneys, estate planners, etc.).  The Foundation will provide the technological infrastructure and marketing supports for any partners.  Interested parties should visit https://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/partner.html to complete the online proposal.

During these unprecedented times, we must innovate to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society have opportunities to find meaning and purpose as engaged members of the “virtual” community.   For more information and to register, visit: https://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/partner.html or email info@unicornchildrensfoundation.org.