Buddy Break is a FREE kids/respite program designed to give caregivers of kids with special needs (VIP kids) a break from their ongoing care-giving responsibilities for three hours. Each VIP kid at Buddy Break is paired up with a Buddy friend for one-on-one attention as everyone has fun playing games, hearing and seeing great children's stories, videos, music and more while giving the caregivers a much needed break! Siblings have fun too!
VIPs are kids with special needs, which include any physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, or those who are medically fragile. This program is for VIP children birth ages: 2-16 years old, and their siblings: 4 years old to 5th grade. Some Buddy Break locations expand their program based on their ability to serve a wider age range.
Buddies are friends of VIPs. No previous experience with VIP kids is necessary to be a Buddy, just a loving heart, open arms, and a willingness to learn. Screened volunteer Buddies are paired one-to-one with a VIP kid. Buddies must be at least 14 years of age, complete a two-hour Buddy Training 101 program, and agree to have a background check run. Doctors, nurses, therapists, and special education teachers are invited to participate.
The weight and stress of finding proper doctors, teachers, and financial resources for a VIP child's care can be overwhelming. Those responsibilities, as well as the never-ending demands for daily care-giving, are squeezed into days already filled with the usual routine of caring for a household, siblings, and self. Opportunities for caregivers to take time for themselves, run errands, or plan special one-on-one outings with children or a spouse are rare yet desperately needed to survive. Buddy Break provides a safe place for VIPs and their siblings to have fun and establish meaningful friendships with other kids and adults while their caregivers get a break.
Oftentimes, kids with disabilities and their families are missed by today’s society. Most people don’t realize:
VIP kids are more than statistics though, and it is our goal to make sure that VIP families are cared for and encouraged. Because we treasure each child’s uniqueness, we require that parents attend an orientation and fill out a detailed questionnaire about their child. This helps our Buddies to give specialized care.
This program is held in partnership with churches in various locations across the nation. See the link below for exact locations and dates. New locations will be added to this website as they are started.
It’s easy to get started! Choose from a button below or on the left menu buttons, choose if you are a VIP, a Buddy, or if you want to start a Buddy Break at your church.
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