Search Results

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!

Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and 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. Practices take place once a week from August until the regional competition in October. Gold medal winners advance to the Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games in June the following year. Practices resume for state qualifiers in the spring and take place once a week until the Summer Games. Program Gallery < Previous Program Next Program >

Meet the Special Connections Board of Directors! 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. I currently host an annual movie night for Special Connections participants and family and assist with Unified Bocce. I am a resident of Seneca, Illinois for the past 23 years and have been employed by Manlius Township as the office manager and bookkeeper for 22 years.

Meet the Special Connections Board of Directors! 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.

All contributions to Special Connections will be gratefully acknowledged and are tax-deductible. 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. All contributions to Special Connections will be gratefully acknowledged and are tax-deductible. We Need YOUR Support

Meet the Special Connections 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. She currently works as a Territory Manager for a national insurance carrier, in their Specialty Care division. In her career, she has worked with organizations throughout the US, whose missions are all focused on human and social services. She is a former Aquatics coach for the local area, and has had the privilege of celebrating many milestones with the team—some her most cherished memories. Heidi is married to Paul, and they reside in the area with their super dog, Bean. The trio enjoys traveling—especially for west coast sunsets!

Get Involved Special Connections of Grundy County recruits volunteers through local schools, civic organizations, clubs, churches, and the community. Regardless of where our volunteers come from or why they volunteer, each volunteer will leave with an experience that will enrich both their lives and the lives of their participants. What are the benefits of volunteering with Special Connections? When you volunteer with Special Connections, you are getting a valuable work experience, as well as gaining exposure to a fun and exciting diverse group of individuals. The biggest benefit is that you will have improved the quality of life for someone else, if even for an hour. And we hope that you learn something about yourself that you can use in other aspects of life. Contact us today! Get In Touch Special Connections of Grundy County PO Box 289 Morris, IL 60450 Tel: (815) 230-1877 info@specialconnections.org Submit Thanks for submitting!

Forms Annual Registration Forms Sign up to participate in Special Connections programs/ activities/ transportation. New Participant Returning Participant Participant Code of Conduct To establish a standard for participant behavior that will ensure the safety and well being of all involved. Athlete Consent Form Valid consent form is mandatory for all Special Olympics athletes. Athlete Medical Form Valid medical form is mandatory for all Special Olympics athletes Out of gallery

Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and 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. Activities are adapted to meet the individual needs of each student. Daily fitness and healthy life choices are also discussed and encouraged. The class meets once a week throughout the year. Program Gallery < Previous Program Next Program >

Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and 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. The Forte Arts Center Magical Moments dance class is dedicated to bringing an outstanding experience in the art of dance to the Special Needs Community in the area. This program is unique in offering classes that are specifically designed with their students with special needs in mind. Dance boosts memory, improves flexibility, reduces stress, strengthens your heart, improves balance, increases energy and builds confidence. They offer a class that is fun, upbeat and positive. Visit the Forte Arts Center website for class details and registration information. http://forteartscenter.com/programming-dance-classes.html Program Gallery < Previous Program Next Program >

Learn more about the Special Connections Programs - Basketball, Boccee, Bowling and 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. In competition, they are required to perform all the shots listed and are awarded points based on their ability to do so. Athletes practice once a week in May-early July to prepare for the regional competition. Gold medal winners in the regional competition advance to the State Special Olympics Illinois Outdoor Sports Festival in September and continue with practices until the state competition. 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. Practice consists of playing the course and working at the driving range and practice putting green. Athletes practice once a week, from May-early August to prepare for the regional competition. Gold medal winners in the regional competition advance to the State Special Olympics Illinois Outdoor Sports Festival in September and continue with practices until the state competition. 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. Each golfer plays 9 holes and keeps their own score. At the end of the round, the scores are combined for a final unified score. With their partners as a guide, athletes learn etiquette, club selection, shot making, scoring and the rules of golf. Unified golfers practice once a week from May-early July at the driving range and putting green or on the course. Golfers are also expected to play the course with their unified partner outside of practice time for additional work. Gold medal winners in the regional competition advance to the State Special Olympics Illinois Outdoor Sports Festival in September and continue with practices until the state competition. Program Gallery < Previous Program Next Program >