Every Saturday, fifteen special needs children show up at the Edge Sports in Fitness in South Burlington eagerly anticipating Run Vermont’s Mini-Miler program. Unlike typical Mini-Milers programs, this particular program has been designed to help those children who have special needs engage in a program that has been adapted to meet their needs. No matter their disability; autism spectrum, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and other neurological conditions they all courageously make their way around the track. And right beside each child is a local high school student, assisting the individual throughout the program and sharing their excitement and feelings of accomplishment. Without the help of the numerous high school volunteers the program would not be possible and I want to specifically recognize them for their efforts.
This program relies on mentors. The children participating in the program need someone to help guide them in activities, encourage them to run, make sure they are safe and are having fun! It should not be a parent or care-taker but someone different – someone special, more of a peer than a responsible adult and only for the purpose of this activity. Consequently, finding mentors for the program as I put the program together was one of my greatest concerns. High school students seemed like the obvious and best choice but what high school student would want to give up an hour of time each Saturday for six weeks, especially when two are during spring vacation and one on a SAT testing day? And would spring sports schedules prohibit me from getting volunteers who were athletes?
It turned out that I needed not worry. Many high school students have given up their Saturdays to volunteer their time and although some of the conflicts I was concerned about did cause issues, whenever I was scrambling to find kids to fill in, new volunteers would show up! Some students showed up every single Saturday, while others juggle other commitments and make it as often as they can. One particularly difficult week, I advertisement on Front Porch Forum for additional volunteers and had four more students helping that next Saturday!
The students come from all over the greater Burlington area – South Burlington High School, Essex High School, CVU, Christ the King School, and Rice. Every one of these students show up on time with patience and enthusiasm. They are usually paired up with one child who participates in Mini-milers but sometimes they are paired with two children. They are engaging in games with the child, running laps around the track, cheering them on, and sitting with them when they take a break. The volunteers amplify the positive energy at the Mini-milers program, filling the track each week with cheers, high fives, and laughter. That many come to help for a Saturday morning and request to keep coming back tells me that the program is a resounding success for all involved.
The vision of Kayla’s Directory is to help children participate in local events that will have a positive impact on them, their families and the greater community as a whole. We have clearly met our vision in this program. A special thank you to all the students who have volunteered their time to have a positive impact on children with special needs. This program would not be possible without them. And also a hearty congratulations to all the special needs participants for bravely challenging themselves, continually demonstrating such positive and supportive attitudes and for being willing to share their experiences with local high school students for the good of all involved.
Rice: Caroline Breen, Lizzy Hunt, Patrick Tousignant, Phillip Tousignant, Bella Singer, Cate Beattie, Amy Donahue, Lilly Boardman, Chris Aslien
South Burlington: Lauren Liscinsky, Ellie Rienle, Aland Rinehart, Jackson Hauman
CVU: Shannon Hellman Essex: Parker Ryan CKS: Rachel Beaudin Others: Hillary Arthur, Rachael Oberst