Increasing literacy impacts society because literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities and influence their communities. Hearing stories provides access to new information and knowledge that will help people with special needs continue their journey on the path of life-long learning.
Special Needs In My City, along with United Cerebral Palsy of Stanislaus County, brings you Read Aloud, Spark Your Imagination, a reading and social club launched to give adults with developmental and intellectual challenges an opportunity to hear stories and socialize with their peers on topics of interest to them. Stories of interest to them are read aloud over Zoom. Small groups of adults will engage with their storytellers to help develop their social and communication skills.
The goal of this project is to increase their understanding of their environments while developing their social skills. Adults with special needs also have a desire to read, to know and to understand the world around them but find it very difficult in their everyday environment given their reading and visual impairments.
Amazing Progress: In the past two years since we launched this program, we have seen first hand each participant’s transformation. Our participants have come to trust this space to share their thoughts, feelings and doubts in the world they live in. Their extremely committed to the being part of this club and their attendance reflects it. We see their confidence, excitement and eagerness to share their interests and life happenings. Communication by each participant over zoom happens via chat, orally, visually or through sign language. Regardless of which way they choose to communicate, they keep coming back for more. They are humorous, genuine, excited, loving and incredibly insightful.
2024-2025 Read Aloud Sessions
Session 1 (January-March 2025)
Session 2 (April-June 2025)
*July Off
Session 3 (August-September 2025)
* Session 4 In-Progress (October-December 2024 ) October 6 to December 15, 2024
Time: Every Sunday from 4-5 PM (Pacific Coast Time, except for Sunday holidays or holiday weekends)
Where: on Zoom (you will get a link to the current reading session after you register and pay below)
For Ages: Adults 18 years and older with special needs.
* Want to have your adult try one of the sessions, just email us! No charge to try it. (angelinav@snimc.org)
How are the Sessions Conducted?
Sessions will be conducted by our storytellers. Each session is one hour long. Participants will hear stories of interest to them, improve their social skills by engaging with their peers guided by our storytellers while working on making new friendships. Your child will be asked and encouraged to share their interests and preferences on various subjects during the sessions in whichever way he/she feels most comfortable. We encourage all adults interested in hearing a story or spending time with their peers to join the Club!
This past year, it has been exciting to see our adults interact with their peers and initiate conversations during the session and cultivate friendships outside the sessions! Yes, it happens slower for some, but by attending each session, they come to desire it more and more and in the process meet new pals.
If you know of an adult who would love to join the read aloud program, please let them know!
For Volunteers:
Interested in volunteering to read aloud to participants? Or have questions, please contact: Angelina: angelinav@snimc.org
If you cannot volunteer, we ask you to consider supporting this very important program with a financial donation.
Your gift is needed, timely and precious. Your gift will affirm that we all benefit from being life time learners.
Here is the link: https://bit.ly/2WuN3Sw.
Get started today. Thank you for your consideration.
