BREATHE for special needs children

ABOUT BREATHE

BREATHE is a program that provides respite care for children with special needs, over the age of 2, along with their siblings. All children will enjoy a supervised evening of food and fun, while parents and caregivers enjoy a night to relax. During the 3 hour event, children enjoy fun activities such as arts and crafts, games, yoga, therapy dogs, and special entertainment.

Each child attending (called a buddy) is paired up with a volunteer for the evening. Breathe is staffed with doctors, nurses, and many professionals experienced in working with children that have special needs. Breathe is a peanut free environment and close attention is given to understanding the needs of those attending.

Breathe is typically held four times a year in the community room at Holy Angels between 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 

Upcoming Breathe Events:

If you are interested in your child attending a Breathe event at Holy Angels Church then you will need to fill out the registration forms for the event. Please download the forms, print them out and return to Holy Angels Church. Mail to 18205 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 or drop off in the Parish Office.

Questions about registering or if you need more information, contact Karen Sunderhaft at (440) 279-7617 or email: habreathe@gmail.com

Last minute cancellations – Karen Sunderhaft (440) 279-7617
 

DONATIONS

If you would like to donate Oreo cookies, Rice Krispie treats, vanilla wafers, juice boxes, mini-marshmallows or pretzels, please place these items in the box marked “Breathe” in the Coat Room in the Gathering Area. If you would like to contribute a monetary donation, please drop off in the Parish Office.

VOLUNTEER

We hope that adults and youth will feel called to help at Breathe events. Spending an evening with these amazing children will have a huge impact on you. There are many different volunteer opportunities and they include:

• Food Team: Prepare, serve and clean up the food area for the children and volunteers. This area is best served with 4 volunteers.
• Medical Team: Physicians and nurses to assist with any emergency needs that arise. Our Breathe events will not run without at least one medical doctor and nurse present.
• Buddy Team: Work one-on-one with a child with special needs or with a typical sibling. This requires are highest number of volunteers!
• Craft Room: Assist children with crafts and help keep things organized. This area is best served with 2-3 volunteers.
• Safety Team: Rotating team of volunteers to stand by all church exit doors, stairways, and activities for safety and security. This area is best served with a team of 6-8 volunteers.
• Floating volunteers: pitch in where needed, help supervise buddies or activities. Clean up toy areas during the event.
• Set up/Clean up before or after the event: Volunteers are needed to help set up materials and arrange the space on event days.  Others help with kitchen prep in the afternoon the day of an event.  Volunteers are also needed to help move light equipment and boxes to and from the storage barn on Fridays and Mondays.
   

All volunteers are required to attend training and must be over
the age of 13, unless they are accompanied by an adult.
If you are older than 18, and a NEW volunteer, you will need to stop by Holy Angels Church at least a WEEK PRIOR to the event to complete a FREE BACKGROUND CHECK.
Contact Alex Yates at alex@holyangelschurch.com to schedule. 

Training Videos on YouTube –  click here for more information

We are always looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please fill out the Online Volunteer Form

Download  Volunteer Background Check Form
Download  Volunteer Privacy Form