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Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and more! Our Programs Special Olympics Basketball Team Basketball - Team basketball consists of 5 on 5 team competition. We currently have 2 co-ed teams who have practice/play games 1-2 nights a week from November-January. Individual Skills Basketball - Athletes develop the basic basketball skills of dribbling, passing, catching and shooting in this event. Read More Special Olympics Bocce Athletes may play individually, in doubles or on a team. Bocce is one of the Special Olympics sports that offer unified play. Unified sports combine a Special Olympics athlete and a person without a disability for competition. At practices, athletes will play practice games where the rules of bocce and strategy of the game are emphasized. Read More Bowling Special Olympics Bowling Team - Athletes have the opportunity to work on their bowling skills, as well as, spend time with friends and make new friends. Athletes may bowl individually, in doubles or on a team. Bowling League - Our bowling league is an 8-week league that meets every Tuesday, typically from August-October, at Echo Lanes in Morris. Read More Special Olympics Golf Individual Skills Golf - Athletes learn and practice all the shots required to play on the course- wood, iron, pitch, chip, and sand shots, as well as putting. 3 and 6 Hole Golf- Golfers may play 3 or 6 holes for competition. In hole play, shot making, etiquette and the rules of golf are emphasized. 9 Hole Unified Golf- In 9-hole unified golf, a Special Olympics athlete and a peer without disabilities play together as a team for competition. Read More Special Olympics Swimming Athletes may swim 2 individual and 1 relay event for competition. Free style, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly events are offered at different distances for individual competition. Read More Special Olympics Athletics Athletes may compete in 2 individual events and 1 relay event for athletics (track and field). There are a variety of field events (softball throw, shot put, standing or running jump, etc.), as well as walking and running events at different distances. Read More Special Olympics Snowshoe Athletes may compete in 2 individual race events and 1 relay event for snowshoe, a winter equivalent to track. Athletes practice once a week from October through the regional competition in December. Read More Fitness Class Our fitness class provides participants the opportunity to develop and build balance, coordination, strength and endurance through stretching, movement and resistance training. Read More Social/ Leisure Activities Special Connections offers a variety of social and leisure activities throughout the year, including bingo, bowling, arts 'n crafts, movies, games, picnics, parties and dances. Read More Community Activities It is vital for our participants to be involved in their community. Watch here for details about programs and activities available to people with special needs in our community, outside of Special Connections. Read More

Meet the Special Connections Board of Directors! Board of Directors Heidi Prewitt PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD Heidi is excited to serve on the board of Special Connections! She is a tenured Risk Management and Insurance professional, with special focus on Non Profit Social Service organizations. Read More Valerie Frazier BOARD MEMBER Special Connections has helped to give me the opportunity to serve those in our community who are differently abled by letting me share my love of a healthy lifestyle and fitness training! Read More Angelia Echeverria TREASURER I have been involved with Special Connections for over 10 years with my daughter Heather, who unfortunately passed away in 2019. I have continued my commitment to Special Connections to honor her memory. Read More Janna Siron BOARD MEMBER I have been employed at the Grundy County Special Education Cooperative for 23 years. Read More Hannah Boswell BOARD MEMBER I am honored to serve on the Special Connections Board! I have had a lifelong passion for making a positive impact in the lives of people with disabilities. My journey began at the age of 15 when I discovered my calling as a camp counselor for people with disabilities in Carlinville, IL. Fast forward to 2009, I joined Illinois Valley Industries, a not-for-profit service provider for adults with disabilities where I am now the Assistant Director. I have over 16 years of direct care experience in addition to my master's degree in Rehabilitation Administration and Services. My journey is not just a career but a testament to the belief that with passion, dedication, and the right resources and support, we can create positive change in the lives of people we serve! Read More Brent Newman VICE PRESIDENT Brent is a passionate advocate of people with disabilities and has served on the Boards of Directors for numerous national, state and local non-profits, focusing his efforts in the areas of civil rights, economic empowerment, the alleviation of poverty, and the provision of social services. Read More Allie Keinath BOARD SECRETARY I currently teach at Seneca High School as a self-contained math and resource teacher. Aside from teaching, I also am the assistant varsity volleyball coach. After graduating from Coal City High School, I attended Illinois State University. I have obtained a Special Education degree focusing on Learning and Behavior (LBSI) and a Master’s in Special Education. Read More Rob Fisher BOARD MEMBER I am an attorney with Hanson & Fisher Law Offices and focus on giving social security disability clients the voice they so deserve in a process that can be difficult. Read More Paula Mercer BOARD MEMBER I have worked at Busey Bank in Morris in the Treasury Management Dept since 2019, and have been in banking since 1998. Read More Kelly Thompson BOARD MEMBER As a founding member, former Executive Director and current Board member for Special Connections, Kelly is passionate about our Mission and providing individuals with special needs opportunities to engage in social, leisure and recreation activities in their community. Kelly is currently a teacher with the Grundy County Special Education Cooperative at Minooka Junior High School and has worked with individuals with special needs for more than 30 years. "I have witnessed the growth of the individuals served and Special Connections over the years and am excited to see what the future will bring." In her free time Kelly enjoys any time spent with family, sports and traveling. Read More

The latest in news about Special Connections of Grundy County in the News Exelon's Generation's 'Fishing for a Cure' Raises $41,000 for Special Connections of Grundy County Braidwood Station’s ‘Fishing for a Cure’ charity bass fishing tournament was canceled earlier this year due to COVID-19, but that didn’t stop employees at the Exelon Generation nuclear plant from giving generously to a local charity. Read More Special Connections earns grant The Community Foundation of Grundy County has selected Special Connections of Grundy County as the 19th recipient of... Read More D'Arcy Chevy Buick donates van Terry D’Arcy and D’Arcy Chevrolet Buick Cadillac of Morris recently presented board members of Special Connections of Grundy County with a 14-passenger van and... Read More Costumed 5K to benefit Special Connections Runners will be encouraged to dress up for the 9th annual Run The Beat 5K at Goold Park in Morris on Oct. 19 at 10 a.m., sponsored by The Morris Police Department... Read More Century 21 raises cash for Special Connections The agents at Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby recently held their annual Steak Fry for Charity. This year’s beneficiary is Special Connections of Grundy County for their Special Olympics program... Read More Knights of Columbus donate to charity On May 30, the St. Mary’s Minooka Knights of Columbus distributed checks of $547.32 to each of these organizations and their representatives... Read More CrossFit teams row for charity Kara Hamilton and her nine teammates set a goal of two hours and 48 minutes to finish a 26.2-mile marathon... Read More 'Dueling Tonys' to take stage The dueling pianos of Tony DeBlois and Tony Kidonakis will return to Morris on Jan. 6 to raise money for Special Connections of Grundy County... Read More Rikki Kirsch Wins Gold! In June, the 20-year-old Shorewood swimmer won two gold medals in the Special Olympics 2014 USA Games in New Jersey. One was in the team… Read More Coleman-Hornsby For more than 10 years, Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby has held a steak fry to benefit a local charity. This year the beneficiary was Special Connections… Read More Trinity Services New Lenox-based Trinity Services Inc. has teamed up with Special Connections of Grundy County to extend services and provide a physical presence in the area.… Read More State Swim Team At a typical Special Connections Swim Team practice, coach Lynda Kirkman can be heard blowing her whistle and calling out the team’s next workout, while… Read More Charity Concerts Despite the snowy weather, Morris Police Chief Brent Dite said they raised a little more than $3,000 that will be split evenly between Special Connections… Read More Fuzz defeat Faculty A smaller-than-normal crowd gathered Saturday at Morris Community High School for the sixth annual Faculty vs. The Fuzz charity basketball game. Despite the snowy weather… Read More

Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and more! Special Olympics Swimming Athletes may swim 2 individual and 1 relay event for competition. Free style, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly events are offered at different distances for individual competition. Swimmers practice 1-2 times per week beginning in October to prepare for time trials in February and the regional competition in March. Gold medal winners advance to the Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games in June and continue practicing to prepare for the state competition. Program Gallery < Previous Program Next Program >

The mission of Special Connections of Grundy County is to connect people with disabilities to their community through social interactions, education, recreational opportunities and shared information. We promote an environment of inclusion, self-determination and knowledge. Contact Our Mission The mission of Special Connections of Grundy County is to connect people with disabilities to their community through social interactions, education, recreational opportunities and shared information. We promote an environment of inclusion, self-determination and knowledge. About Get In Touch Special Connections of Grundy County PO Box 289 Morris, IL 60450 Tel: (815) 230-1877 info@specialconnections.org All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged and are tax-deductible. Donate with PayPal Submit Thanks for submitting!

Get in touch with Special Connections of Grundy County Get In Touch Special Connections of Grundy County PO Box 289 Morris, IL 60450 Tel: (815) 230-1877 info@specialconnections.org All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged and are tax-deductible. Donate with PayPal or with Credit Card Submit Thanks for connecting with us!

Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and more! Special Olympics Basketball Team Basketball - Team basketball consists of 5 on 5 team competition. We currently have 2 co-ed teams who have practice/play games 1-2 nights a week from November-January. During that time, the athletes develop their basketball skills and learn team concepts through individual drills, team drills, scrimmages, and practice games while preparing for a regional competition at the end of January. Teams who win a gold medal at the regional competition advance to the Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament held in March and continue with practices 1-2 nights per week until the state competition. Individual Skills Basketball - Athletes develop the basic basketball skills of dribbling, passing, catching and shooting in this event. Competition consists of a target pass, 10 meter dribble and spot shooting and points are awarded based on the athlete’s ability to perform each skill. Practices occur once a week from November-January to prepare for the regional competition in January. Individuals who win a gold medal at the regional competition advance to the Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament held in March and continue practices until the state competition. Program Gallery < Previous Program Next Program >

Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and more! Social/ Leisure Activities Special Connections offers a variety of social and leisure activities throughout the year, including bingo, bowling, arts 'n crafts, movies, games, picnics, parties and dances. These activities allow for participants to build and maintain friendships, learn new skills and hobbies, and enrich their physical and mental health. Visit our events page for upcoming activity details and registration information. Program Gallery < Previous Program Next Program >

Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and more! Bowling Special Olympics Bowling Team - Athletes have the opportunity to work on their bowling skills, as well as, spend time with friends and make new friends. Athletes may bowl individually, in doubles or on a team. At practice and competition, athletes bowl 3 games (ramp bowlers bowl 2 games). Practices occur once a week from June through the regional competition in August. Gold medal winners advance to the sectional competition in October and must win a gold medal at sectionals to advance to the Special Olympics Illinois State Bowling Competition in December. Practices continue for athletes who advance to each level of competition. Bowling League - Our bowling league is an 8-week league that meets every Tuesday, typically from August-October, at Echo Lanes in Morris. Participants are grouped in teams of 4 and bowl 2 games each week against other teams. League bowling is a great opportunity to see friends, meet new friends and continue to work on bowling skills. Watch our events calendar for other opportunities to bowl throughout the year. Program Gallery < Previous Program Next Program >

Meet the Special Connections Board of Directors! Allie Keinath BOARD SECRETARY I currently teach at Seneca High School as a self-contained math and resource teacher. Aside from teaching, I also am the assistant varsity volleyball coach. After graduating from Coal City High School, I attended Illinois State University. I have obtained a Special Education degree focusing on Learning and Behavior (LBSI) and a Master’s in Special Education. Now I, along with my husband and daughter, live back in the area and love being part of Special Connections again. My brother, Jason, was my reason for getting into teaching Special Education and after having the opportunity to meet more individuals with special needs, it has become my passion to make the world a better place for each of them. Special Connections does an amazing job of creating opportunities for each individual to branch out and enhance their day to day lives, which is why I love being part of the board.

Meet the Special Connections Board of Directors! Brent Newman VICE PRESIDENT Brent Newman is originally a native of Appalachian Ohio. Newman attended The Ohio State University and Capital University Law School, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and his Juris Doctor, respectively. For nearly 20 years he has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Grundy County Housing Authority, an independent Illinois municipal corporation charged with providing affordable homes and programming for low income people in Grundy County, Illinois. While at the Grundy County Housing Authority his responsibilities include Board, staff, resident, and public relations; budgeting; policy formulation and development; as well as day to day operations of the organization. During Newman’s tenure GCHA has consistently been designated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development as a High Performing Agency. The team led by Brent created first in the nation entrepreneurial activities and revenue generation models, making the Grundy County Housing Authority a leader in providing affordable housing and the most awarded agency in the history of the Illinois Association of Housing Authorities. Brent is a passionate advocate of people with disabilities and has served on the Boards of Directors for numerous national, state and local non-profits, focusing his efforts in the areas of civil rights, economic empowerment, the alleviation of poverty, and the provision of social services.