Start Planning for Summer 2020

Start Planning for Summer 2020

It’s never too early to start planning for our upcoming 2020 summer intervention programs!

2020 Camp Dates:

  • Wauseon: June 01-26
  • Springfield: July 06-31

Sara’s Garden offers amazing summer intervention programs for children with disabilities. These month-long programs deliver inclusive therapies that provide interventions for individuals with a variety of conditions and disabilities.

Our caring and experienced staff of licensed therapists, conductors and paraprofessionals create unique, intensive therapy-based programs that are tailored to the needs of each participant and are designed to enhance your child’s developmental skills. This approach not only helps your child to work towards greater independence, it also keeps the regression of skills and development that typically occurs over the summer months at bay.

Goals of these programs include:

Improving Interpersonal Skills:
  • Relationship building
  • Responding to his/her name
  • Learning the names of peers
  • Basic conversation skills
  • Behavioral skill development
Improving Fine and Gross Motor Skills:
  • Range of motion
  • Sitting and standing
  • Walking and transfers
  • Self feeding
  • Independent living skills
Improving Language Skills:
  • Vocabulary knowledge and understanding
  • Basic concepts
  • Following verbally presented directions
  • Improving story comprehension
  • Improve Reading/Writing Skills
Improving Social Skills:
  • Greetings
  • Turn Taking
  • Initiating communication
  • Informing and directing others
  • Requesting

Our summer intervention programs also provide support for children who use augmentative communication systems (low tech or high tech) who have language and literacy skills and need more experience with peer to peer social skills.

We serve clients with (but not limited to): ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, CDKL5, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Near Drowning, Seizure Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders, Spina Bifida, Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Additional information is being compiled on potential funding and grant options for families in need of financial support.

For more information, please contact Ronda Rupp at 833.668.7272 or via email at rondar@sarasgarden.org.

2019 Summer Intervention Programs

2019 Summer Intervention Programs

As summer approaches we want to invite you to consider the summer intervention program opportunities for your student. These summer programs help with structure and retention of skills between school years.

June Program

  • The June program runs from June 3 – 28.
    • The Autism Intervention program runs from 8:00-11:00.
    • The Conductive Education program runs from 8:00-12:00.
  • With either the Autism or CE interventions, you can choose either a 2 day (Tues/Thurs), 3 day (Mon/Wed/Fri) or 5 day program.

July Program

  • The July program runs from July 8 – August 2.
    • The “Early Childhood” Conductive Education program runs from 8:00-10:00.
    • The “Young Walkers” Conductive Education program runs from 10:30-12:00.
  • Both July CE programs run 3 day a week (Mon/Wed/Fri).

Our group-based summer interventions schedule delivers inclusive programs that provide opportunities and interventions for individuals with a variety of conditions and disabilities. We serve clients with (but not limited to): ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), CDKL5, Cerebral Palsy (CP), Down Syndrome, Near Drowning, Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD), Spina Bifida and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Our caring and experienced staff of licensed therapists, conductors, and paraprofessionals create intensive therapy-based programs designed to enhance your child’s developmental skills. This approach not only helps your child to work towards increased independence, it also keeps the regression of skills that typically occurs over the summer months at bay.

Our programs provide education, fun, intervention, and socialization, in a safe, accepting and understanding environment while creating new opportunities for development for individuals with disabilities.

These month-long programs are designed to expand each child’s fine motor, gross motor and/or communication skills. As well as improving behaviors, increasing eye contact, socialization, self-care and/or emotional skills. Based on the needs of the child, time may be spent on ABA programs, academics, relationship building, conductive education, sensory activities, special activities of swimming, music, arts and crafts, outdoor projects and physical activities. This group-based program is designed for children ages 3 through 18.

We openly welcome any interested families regardless of diagnosis, or the absence of a diagnosis. If you have questions or would like any additional information regarding our summer camp program, please please call us as soon as possible at 419-335-7272 and speak with Matt Rychener or Ronda Rupp. Be sure to ask us about our sponsorship fundraising program! Registrations are due by May 20th.

Our staff would love to work with your student this June!

Recognizing Julian Giovarelli

Recognizing Julian Giovarelli

At our annual appreciation dinner for the members of the Sara’s Garden and New Horizons Academy boards, we recognized the dedicated service of Julian Giovarelli.

Julian has selflessly served as the Sara’s Garden Treasurer for the past 11 years. The time, talents and effort he has poured into this organization is beyond imagination and we could not be more grateful for him.

Julian is stepping down from his duties as Treasurer this year but will remain an active member of the Sara’s Garden board. Thank you Julian!

Summer Intervention Programs

Summer Intervention Programs

Sara’s Garden will once again be offering summer interventions programs for children with disabilities. This year’s group camp will begin on Monday, June 4th and run five days a week for four weeks. Come experience a summer camp program like no other and meet families from all across the country.

Our group-based summer interventions schedule delivers inclusive programs that provide opportunities and interventions for individuals with a variety of conditions and disabilities. We serve clients with (but not limited to): ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), CDKL5, Cerebral Palsy (CP), Down Syndrome, Near Drowning, Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD), Spina Bifida and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Our caring and experienced staff of licensed therapists, conductors, and paraprofessionals create intensive therapy-based programs designed to enhance your child’s developmental skills. This approach not only helps your child to work towards increased independence, it also keeps the regression of skills that typically occurs over the summer months at bay.

Our programs provide education, fun, intervention, and socialization, in a safe, accepting and understanding environment while creating new opportunities for development for individuals with disabilities.

This month-long program is designed to expand each child’s fine motor, gross motor and/or communication skills. As well as improving behaviors, increasing eye contact, socialization, self-care and/or emotional skills. Based on the needs of the child, time may be spent on ABA programs, academics, relationship building, conductive education, sensory activities, special activities of swimming, music, arts and crafts, outdoor projects and physical activities. This group-based program is designed for children ages 3 through 18.

Our July programs will once again feature individualized interventions designed to target each child’s specific goals and is tailored to the needs of each child and family. We work with families to determine what their goals are for their child to focus on.

We openly welcome any interested families regardless of diagnosis, or the absence of a diagnosis. If you have questions or would like any additional information regarding our summer camp program, please contact Val at 419-335-7272 or via email at valn@sarasgarden.org. Be sure to ask us about our sponsorship fundraising program!

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Over the years, the name “Sara’s Garden” has often caused confusion regarding who we are and what we really do… the Yellow Pages continues to list us in their Lawn and Garden section and people still call us about purchasing flowers and seeds.

While we are most certainly not a garden center, one thing is true… over the years, our amazing staff and volunteers have had the privilege of working with the clients we serve by “pouring” into them all of their time and talents. They have experienced the joy and satisfaction of watching these clients “bloom” in their independence and abilities. They are indeed “gardeners” of a sort!

Today, volunteers continue to play an essential role to our organization all year long in helping our staff “plant” specialized, comprehensive client services that “harvest” life-changing results!

Volunteer opportunities at Sara’s Garden are not for adults or retirees alone. We are able to provide valuable service experiences for young adults and teens as well. Community service for teens is often a requirement for graduating high school and it’s a great way for students to build their resumes and skill sets. More importantly, volunteer work for high school students can often be a life-changing experience that allows teens to expand their horizons, provide vocational direction, and foster meaningful relationships.

Whether you choose to support Sara’s Garden financially by making a gift online, or sharing your time and talent through our volunteer opportunities, we are so grateful for your involvement in our work to support the amazing clients, students and families we serve. Individual volunteer opportunities include the following:

  • Participating in before and after school programs
  • Reading books and stories to students
  • Preparing classroom resource materials and instructional games
  • Playing games with students at recess
  • Fundraising event support

In addition to the many individual volunteer opportunities there are also group volunteer projects available as well.

If you wish to volunteer for Sara’s Garden and contribute to our mission, please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn how your talents could be used to help our students and clients “grow“.

Expanded Summer Programming

Expanded Summer Programming

Sara’s Garden is offering a full slate of summer programming services to meet the individual needs of our clients.

This year’s summer skills camp will begin on Monday, June 5th and run five days a week for four weeks. Come experience a summer camp program like no other and meet families from all across the country. This group-based summer skills camp delivers inclusive programs that provide opportunities and interventions for individuals with a variety of conditions and disabilities. We serve clients with (but not limited to): ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), CDKL5, Cerebral Palsy (CP), Down Syndrome, Near Drowning, Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD), Spina Bifida and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Our caring and experienced staff of licensed therapists, conductors and paraprofessionals create intensive therapy-based programs designed to enhance your child’s developmental skills. This approach not only helps your child to work towards increased independence, it also keeps the regression of skills that typically occurs over the summer months at bay.

Our goal is to also serve the parents, caregivers and families that bring their children to Sara’s Garden for summer skills camp. We will be holding weekly workshops focused on assisting, equipping and empowering parents and caregivers. Below is a list of the topics we are planning to cover:

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) ~ Myths and Misconceptions
  • Taking CE & OT Home ~ Importance of Consistent In-Home Practice
  • Funding & Grants ~ Connecting Families to Valuable Resources
  • Understanding Applied Behavior Analysis ~ Intro to ABA

Programming in July and August will focus on individualized, one-on-one interventions and functional, skills-based mini-camps. These mini-camps will focus on a variety of topics and skills that are crucial to the children and families we serve.

  • Vocational Training
  • Social Skills
  • Life Skills
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication
  • Handwriting

Our programs provide education, fun, intervention and socialization in a safe, accepting and understanding environment while creating new opportunities for development for individuals with disabilities. Programs are tailored to the needs of each child and family. We work with the families to determine what their goals are for their child to focus on.

We openly welcome any interested families regardless of diagnosis, or the absence of a diagnosis. If you have questions or would like any addition information regarding our summer programs, please contact Val at 419-335-7272 or via email at valn@sarasgarden.org. Be sure to ask us about our sponsorship fundraising program!

Summer Camp 2017

Summer Camp 2017

A Summer Camp Like No Other! June 5 – 30, 2017

Sara’s Garden is once again offering a summer camp for children with disabilities.  This year’s camp will begin on Monday, June 5th and run five days a week for four weeks. Come experience a summer camp program like no other and meet families from all across the country.

Our group-based summer camp delivers inclusive programs that provide opportunities and interventions for individuals with a variety of conditions and disabilities. We serve clients with (but not limited to): ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), CDKL5, Cerebral Palsy (CP), Down Syndrome, Near Drowning, Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD), Spina Bifida and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Our caring and experienced staff of licensed therapists, conductors and paraprofessionals create intensive therapy-based programs designed to enhance your child’s developmental skills. This approach not only helps your child to work towards increased independence, it also keeps the regression of skills that typically occurs over the summer months at bay.

Our programs provide education, fun, intervention, socialization, and respite in a safe, accepting and understanding environment while creating new opportunities for development for individuals with disabilities.

This month-long camp experience is tailored to the needs of each child and family. We work with the families to determine what their goals are for their child to focus on. Based on the needs of the child, time may be spent on ABA programs, academics, relationship building, conductive education, sensory activities, special activities of swimming, music, arts and crafts, outdoor science projects and physical activities. Some families desire for their child to expand their fine motor, gross motor and/or communication skills. Others long for programming focused on improving behaviors, increased eye contact, socialization, self-care and/or emotional skills.

Our goal is to also serve the parents, caregivers and families that bring their children to Sara’s Garden for summer camp. We will be holding weekly workshops focused on assisting, equipping and empowering parents and caregivers.

We openly welcome any interested families regardless of diagnosis, or the absence of a diagnosis. If you have questions or would like any addition information regarding our summer camp program, please contact Val at 419-335-7272 or via email at valn@sarasgarden.org. Be sure to ask us about our sponsorship fundraising program!

 

Playground Bricks Still Available

Playground Bricks Still Available

Did you miss out on purchasing an engraved brick? Were you not aware that you could purchase one until it was too late?

Don’t worry. You’re not alone. We continue to receive comments from people who are disappointed that they did not get the opportunity to purchase a brick for the playground patio.

We have great news… it’s not too late! We will be selling brick indefinitely as we have a very large area for them to go.

For a tax-deductible donation, we will personalize your limited edition section of the patio. This program offers you the chance to honor family, friends, mentors, sports teams, clubs, organizations or businesses by purchasing a personalized brick paver.

“Buy a Brick” Donor Levels

  • $50.00 – 4″ x 8″ engraved brick space with 1-3 lines of text.
  • $75.00 – 8″ x 8″ engraved brick space with 1-6 lines of text.
  • $100.00 – 12″ x 12″ engraved brick space with 1-8 lines of text.

Inscriptions are in UPPERCASE lettering and are centered on the brick. You can have up to 18 characters per line engraved, including spaces, periods, commas, quotations, etc.

You can also customize your brick with decorative clip art and logo graphics for only $15.00 more. We can also engrave your own clip art or logo for the same price. Simply upload a black & white high resolution logo where specified when you place your order.

You may suggest placement of the graphics on our order sheet under the comments section. Sometimes however it is not possible to accommodate the suggested placement in the layout. In these cases the final design will be left up to our engravers.

Make a lasting memory while supporting the playground project and investing in student’s lives, one step at a time. Help support the students at New Horizons Academy and countless families from across Northwest Ohio that will benefit from this inclusive, handicap accessible playground.

If you would like additional information or need help placing your order, please call or email Matt Rychener at 419-335-7272 ext. 1001.

Thank You for the Caps!

Thank You for the Caps!

We are so thankful for the support we received throughout our “Bench for Caps” collection process. When the project started we were trying to collect 200 lbs. of plastic bottle caps in hopes of creating a single bench for our new playground. Never did we dream that we would end up collecting over 3,000 lbs. of caps! Thank you all so much!

We plan on loading all of the caps up in the upcoming weeks and hauling them down to Evansville, Indiana to Green Tree Plastics where they will be turned in for not only benches, but picnic tables and trash cans as well.

We are now done collecting caps for the project. We will let everyone know if this is something that we need to do again for other areas at the school… but for now, we’re going to take a well deserved break from the cap collection business.

Year End Thanks; New Year’s Hope

Year End Thanks; New Year’s Hope

We can hardly believe it! Another year has come and gone right before our very eyes. We stand at the forefront of 2016, yet somehow feel like it was just yesterday that we were opening our doors for the very first time. We feel so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to serve so many amazing clients and families. Since our inception, we have been blessed beyond measure with overwhelming donor generosity and community support that has allowed us to continue this mission.

2015 was an extremely busy year for Sara’s Garden and New Horizons Academy, and perhaps why we feel the year flew by so quickly. We’ve achieved new goals and faced new challenges, all while experiencing one of the most rewarding and fulfilling years in our history. We know none of this would be possible without the unending grace from our heavenly Father and the generous support from our donors, dedicated service from our staff and selfless sacrifice from our volunteers. We owe you all a warm and sincere thank you!

We are honored that so many of you have trusted Sara’s Garden with your gifts and donations! We know that many of you have made sacrifices this year in order to to continue supporting Sara’s Garden and for that we are so thankful. We consider you our partner in providing hope and changing lives. Please know that every single dollar that you contribute to Sara’s Garden is valued. It is our mission to use your gifts wisely to serve families and clients from across the country. Despite the economic challenges facing our country and its economy you have been faithful and have blessed Sara’s Garden and its mission.  We appreciate you more than words can express!

Because of your generous support, we are in a position to do something that we’ve been looking forward to for a very long time… Beginning January, 1 2016, we will be lowering our rates for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments from $110 per hour to $100 per hour. We want these treatments to be as affordable as possible. Our hope is that this reduction in rates will help to ease the financial stress on families raising money for these life changing treatments. 

On behalf of the entire team here at Sara’s Garden, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has helped make 2015 such a memorable year for us. Thank you for trusting in our ministry.  We treasure your partnership. You are instrumental in providing hope, help and healing to families from across the country!

From our family to yours, Thank You!

Matt Rychener CEO/Executive Director