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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!

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