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.

Meet the Special Connections Board of Directors! Janna Siron BOARD MEMBER I have been employed at the Grundy County Special Education Cooperative for 23 years. I started teaching in an elementary life skills program and then transitioned to teaching students with autism. Currently, I am a program coordinator working with both our elementary life skills and autism programs. In my free time, I love spending time with my husband and two children, boating, and traveling.

Meet the Special Connections Board of Directors! Valerie Frazier BOARD MEMBER I am a wife and mother of 3 girls. I have been a hair dresser for 32 years and still practice. I am a personal trainer and am very passionate about how food, nutrition and exercise can change one's life. I have a 23 year old who is differently abled, and changing her lifestyle was life changing for our whole family. 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! I am so blessed to be a part of Special Connections and to help promote our mission in the community!

Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and 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. Gold medal winners advance to the Special Olympics Illinois State Winter Games in February and practices continue to prepare for the state competition. Program Gallery < Previous Program Next Program >

Meet the Special Connections Board of Directors! 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. I grew up in Joliet and then Morris. I graduated from Morris High School and attended Joliet Junior College. I currently live in Channahon, and have 2 kids Zachary, age 19 and Gwyneth, age 16. My husband, Tim Mercer, and I enjoy time with our family, enjoy watching sports and love to travel when we can. When the opportunity came up to join the board at Special Connections, I felt honored to join this great group of individuals that help create and promote so many avenues for our community members that have special needs. I look forward to being a part of the positive impact that Special Connections has in our community.

Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and 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. Athletes practice once a week in March and April to prepare for the regional competition held at the beginning of May. Gold medal winners advance to the Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games in June and practices continue to prepare for the state competition. Program Gallery < Previous Program Next Program >

Special Connections Merchandise Is Here! Special Connections of Grundy County is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing social activities for people of all ages and all disabilities in and around Grundy County, Illinois. We are very pleased to now make available some wonderful merchandise to help you show your pride in Special Connections, and help us provide these important opportunities. All you need to do is download our new merchandise order form, fill it out and send it to our address at the top of the form. This year we have been able to bring some very exciting new things: Our t-shirts and sweatshirts now come in gray for both adults and youth! We now have BPA Free Acrylic cups with a straw for cold beverages and travel mugs for both hot or cold beverages! Download the Order Form and Get Your GREAT Stuff Today! Order Form

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Meet The Team Amy Carmack Executive Director Amy became the Executive Director of Special Connections in late March of 2023. She and her life partner, Gary, moved to Morris in 2021 from Kankakee, IL. Amy had served as the Director of Development at Good Shepherd Manor in Momence, IL for the past 15 years. Her role at Good Shepherd included donor stewardship, special event fundraising, grant writing and building the endowment program. Amy also has an extensive background in nonprofit Board management and training. Over the years she has provided workshops for many nonprofit and for profit organizations focusing on strategic planning, goal setting and teambuilding through her company, LeaderVersity Resources. On a personal note, Amy is Mom to three adult children (and their spouses) and Mimi to eight beautiful grandkids! Two of her three kids live in Iowa, where she is originally from, and the third lives in Wheaton. Amy states, "Being a part of organizations that serve individuals with disabilities has been an honor and privilege during my career. Special Connections is a wonderful organization that is having such an impact in the lives of our participants and their families. I look forward to working with everyone to grow and nurture this very worthy organization!" Tina Nall Special Olympics Program Coordinator I am a mother to my son Dominic and daughter-in-law Bekah, and my son Marcus who is a special needs adult with multiple diagnoses. Previously living in Minooka since 2005, we recently moved to Garner. I have 15 years of experience driving a school bus for students of all abilities, and 14 years of management experience in food service retail settings. Besides spending time with my family and helping Marcus to learn and grow to be a valuable member of our community, I enjoy traveling, riding my motorcycle, and spending time with our dogs. Marcus has benefitted since 2011 from the Special Olympics sports and activities that Special Connections offers. His favorite sport is swimming! I have always enjoyed volunteering for various organizations, so it was natural for me to start helping as an assistant coach and to eventually become the head coach of Track and Field. In 2018 I became the Program Coordinator for Special Connections. My main purpose is to oversee all of the Special Olympics sports that we offer. I love working with and helping to provide social and fitness opportunities for those with special needs, as well as inviting community members to become involved whether by coaching or being a Special Olympics Unified Partner. I have big dreams and goals in mind as Special Connections continues to grow, and I'm honored to be a part of such exciting times in a wonderful organization!

IPADD Unite (IL Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities) Join the group The Arc of Illinois Learn More They Deserve More Learn More Family Support Network Learn More Illinois Valley Industries Learn More Service Inc. -Our county DHS agency Learn More Together for Choice Learn More Trinity Services Learn More Grundy Area Special Needs Network Learn More Contact your local legislators to help advocate for disability services: Representative Welter Senator Rezin Representative Kinzinger

Meet the Special Connections Board of Directors! 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!