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“Even the broken tablets were placed in the ark.” (Based on Talmud…Menakhot 99a) Caring for those with Special NeedsAhavat Ha-beriot When we help those who may be different from us, we are reminded of our responsibility to meet the needs of all those who face special challenges physically, intellectually, and emotionally.
AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) VIP Program (800) ALL-AYSO We provide a quality soccer experience for children whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. We use “buddies” or teen volunteers to assist and cheer these players both on and off the soccer field. Contact the local AYSO chapter in your community to obtain specific details.
Challenger Division/Little League National Junior Basketball “Hot Hoops” Division Contact: Darrell Burnett, PhD., Orange County District Commissioner (949) 495-3444 Need teen volunteers to assist as “buddies” with baseball and basketball programs for kids with special needs. There are Divisions of these programs all over Orange County. Call for more information on the local program in your area.
Blind Children’s Learning Center 18542-B Vanderlip Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92705 (714) 573-8888 Provides education, counseling, and developmental services to children with visual impairments Volunteer opportunities: assist with our summer camp; help with child care during evening classes; help with special weekend events
Fran Joswick Therapeutic Riding Center 26284 Oso Road San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 (949) 240-8441 Program provides horseback riding for children and adults with special needs. Age: 13 and up Volunteer opportunities: Horse care, helping with lessons
Guide Dogs for the Blind P.O. Box 151200 San Rafael, CA 94915-1200 (800) 295-4050 or MaryJo Egus at (949) 589-0668 Age: 9 years and older Volunteer opportunities: Become a “puppy raiser” and help raise future guide dogs. Puppy raisers housetrain the pups, teach them basic obedience, and socialize them to the world. Receive puppy when its 8 weeks old, and return to organization when its between 13 to 18 months old. Breeds used as guides are Labrador retrievers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Labrador/Golden Retriever crossbreeds. The dogs then go on to get specialized training to help guide visually impaired people in their daily lives.
Special Olympics Southern California 5875 Green Valley Circle, Suite 200 (310) 215-8380 Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) works to provide sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for Southern California children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing them with opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and share their gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Volunteer opportunities: We have a variety of volunteer opportunities from coaching to helping with events and office work. Go to our website to find the area director nearest you, and to view the many ways you can help us.
Braille Institute of America http://www.brailleinstitute.org/ Orange County Chapter 527 North Dale Ave. Anaheim, CA 92801 (714) 821-5000, 2113 The Braille Institute provides an environment of hope and encouragement for people who are blind and visually impaired through integrated educational, social and recreational programs and services. Age: 16 years or older Volunteer opportunities: work in our youth program with school age students—especially in summertime (field trips, help with computer skills, etc.); call by spring to put name on volunteer list
Recalling our own slavery in Egypt and caring for the strangers among us are at the heart and soul of who we must be as a people, and as a community. -- Jo-Ann Mort
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