1. What is Special Life Network?
- a. A Christian-led 501c3 non-profit organization.
- b. Incorporated in April 2005. Founded and headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
- c. A 100% volunteer organization led by parents, professionals, volunteers and church leaders.
- d. We serve the "entire community" with no exclusions.
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2. What's so Special?
- a. We are a unique organization that helps to integrate children, teens and adults into the church and /or broader community, thus building a richer community...a SPECIAL LIFE® Community.
- b. A SPECIAL LIFE Community is one where all children, teens and adults with disabilities are proactively engaged, embraced and accepted.
- c. A SPECIAL LIFE Community includes parents/caretakers, family members, siblings, church leaders, community organization leaders, volunteers, professionals, educators, service providers, etc. in addition to children, teens and adults with a disability.
3. Who Can Benefit?
The entire SPECIAL LIFE community benefits when children, teens and adults with disabilities are properly integrated and proactively accepted into church and/or community activities, services and events.
4. What Do We Do?
- a. Four core strategies drive our services and what we do:
- i. Increase awareness,
- ii. Network community knowledge and resources,
- iii. Provide education and training,
- iv. Transform Lives.
5. How Do We Do it?
- a. Awareness events like "Message from the Heart" with Chris Tomlin held May 13, 2006 with the support of The Woodlands United Methodist Church.
- b. Quarterly SPECIAL LIFE Networking Meetings...now 18 churches have participated.
- c. E-Community Web site linking future SPECIAL LIFE communities across the country. This first of its kind website provides Best Practice Document Library, an Event Calendar, helpful web links and more.
- d. Training including American Sign Language, Disability Ministry Start-up support and Volunteer training.
- e. Networking opportunities with churches and community organizations that results in growth of Special Needs Ministries and Adaptive Programs.
- f. Participation in resource fairs and other disability related events.
6. What Results have been achieved?
- a. The number of churches with known Special Needs Ministries in The Woodlands have more than doubled in the past four years. Existing Special Needs Ministries have also grown significantly.
- b. Collaboration with the local YMCA has resulted in more adaptive programs being offered in the community. Special Life Network helped to support the installation of a wheel chair lift at the Conroe Family YMCA facility off loop 336. Adaptive swimming programs are now held there.
7. How do I Connect to Special Life Network?
- c. Call 713-493-2580 or Email us at
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At Special Life Network, Every Life is Special®
www.speciallife.org
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