The one thing you can do today to change the life of a child on the spectrum

Meet Eli, one of our preschool kids. He has had a hard time adjusting to online learning, and has started crying every time his teacher came on screen. He and his mom were struggling.

His dedicated teacher did not give up. She asked Eli’s mom to give him a favorite toy before turning on the computer screen and bring it with him to his sessions. That tactic helped calm him down. His teacher then took a screenshot of the toy and created an icon on the screen. Now, he points at the screen whenever he wants his toy. This helped build Eli’s communications skills as a way of requesting things.

Now, Eli can sit in a Zoom session up to 20 minutes before he starts crying and needs a break. 

There are hundreds more children like Eli who need your help.

This holiday season, please open your hearts and help us build a playground for children in need!

COVID-19 has devastated families with autistic, disabled, and special-needs children.

Parents working from home have to accommodate for their children's specific educational requirements while juggling their professional workload; heads of households have lost their jobs and are now struggling to provide their children with the special care they need.

With the holiday season approaching and during an economic crisis, Shema Kolainu - Hear Our Voices resumed offering quality treatment, education, professional training and mentoring to those in need.

You can help us provide our students with a safe educational environment and give these students a chance to succeed outside of the classroom.  Your immediate contribution will help build a state-of-the-art sensory rooftop playground and provide students with a lifetime of benefits.

Why a Playground?

Children need to spend time outdoors, especially those with autism. Their needs, however, are very unique: some children seek sensory experiences and others avoid them. Some are non-verbal, while others have no problem speaking. Children with autism may have a difficult time socializing and interacting with other children.

Playing outside:

• Improves cognitive and physical development
• Improves communication and social skills
• Promotes healthy release of pent-up energy
• Reduces fears and outbursts
• Offers positive sensory stimulation
• Boosts positive emotions

What's the Plan? 

Our rooftop playground will be specifically designed to meet the special needs of children with ASD and other related disabilities. 

Safety First
Our very own space, separate from the public and monitored by our trained caregiving staff, allowing us to provide additional safety to our children. Not only will we be able to make sure there is sufficient supervision during playtime, but we will also be able to add an extra layer of health-safety by limiting our children's exposure to other people. 

We plan on using sand and rubber safety-floors to protect children with balancing difficulties, and smooth surfaces to help maintain sanitary conditions. 

Year-Round Fun

Our playground will be domed, so our kids can enjoy it throughout the year. It will be made of high-grade, durable materials such as metal and quality plastic.

Accessibility

Ramps, guardrails, and pathways will all be part of our playground design. We will provide areas for social interaction as well as a quiet corner for children who need a moment to regroup. 

A Sensory-Rich Environment

Our playground will include many different textures, sounds, and things to look at. Spinning, swinging, jumping, climbing, and hanging will all be part of our space, and different sensory play panels will be incorporated throughout. 

Any Amount Can Help!

Chip in with what you can and make our dream playground a reality!

Donation Tiers

 

$10     Sandbox Guru

Buys 100lb of play sand for our sandbox

$20     Floor Philanthropist

Pays for one Square Foot of rubber safety-floor

$50     Roof Raiser

Buys us one Square Foot of ceiling

$100     Swing King

Purchases one play swing

$150     Merry Fairy

This amount will go towards purchasing a merry go round

$200     Ramp Hero

This amount will pay for an accessible ramp

$300     Sensory Sensei

Buys one sensory panel for our playground

$400     A-MAZE-ing!

This amount funds a maze element

$500     Musical Master

Helps us purchase a musical playground station

$100,000     Godsend Giver

Your donation will pay for a complete playground structure—swings, slides, and all!