Trying something new

[Guest guest]

I haven't written in awhile because I have been busy trying to learn how to

start a non-profit organization for special needs children in my home area,

but I do read al l the posts. I wanted to share with the people that I have

come to think of as my far away friends and ask for your opinions on this new

adventure I am undertaking. I have already given notice to leave my job so

that I can devote more time to this dream of mine (although I will work

through a temp agency 'cause I still have to have a roof and food etc. ) I

have no idea how to put this together although I am researching and learning

everyday about the structure of putting together this organization. I have a

web page that I am working on and although it's not ready for the public yet

I wanted to s hare it with you guys and ask for your feed back (positive or

negative). What I am trying to do is to provide a service for parents to

give them a few hours respite when needed by organizing outings that their

children can attend, I also want to set up a hotline for parents to call just

to talk with someone who's been there done that, I want to be able to have a

list of referrals so that people won't have to go what I've gone through to

find agencies to help, I want to set up a lending service so that if someone

needs a wheelchair but can't afford one they can have a place to come and

borrow needed equipment(not limited to just wheelchairs) I am working on a

survey trying to find out what parents needs are that have not been addressed

by other agencies and I'm working with a transporation company who is willing

to provide transporation for those who need it. I realize I will have to

start slow and build up but my dream is to provide after school activites,

week end activites as well as offering support for parents with IEP's. Right

now where I live we don't have a parent support group, we have no day care

provider's in our immediate area and it's something that is badly needed.

Trisha has to travel anywhere from 45 mins to almost 2 hrs depending on how

many stops and where the stops are in taking her to camp and bringing her

home. Camp is over at 4 but she doesn't get home until 5:30 sometimes 6:00

in the evening. Please if you don't mind check out my webpage and then leave

suggestions, feed back or take the survey, I need all the input I can get so

that when I start applying for grants I have documentation to support the

needs of special needs families.

<A HREF= " http://empoweringyouths.homestead.com/index.html " >EmpoweringYouths</A>

Thanks,

Carol

Trishasmom