I’ll be heading down to Orlando next week for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry meetings…which brought to mind one of the leading lights of the disability ministry movement-Marie Kuck.

Marie is Co-Founder of Nathaniel’s Hope, a rapidly growing national ministry dedicated to sharing hope and encouragement with kids with special needs (VIP Kids) and their families, as well as educating and equipping local churches with tools and opportunities so that even the most inexperienced people can “be a a buddy” and reach out and minister to these families.

Nathaniel’s Hope has developed many programs to assist families, including a  growing respite program called Buddy Break. Buddy Break is a free kids/respite program done in partnership with local churches that provides a free “break” for caregivers of kids with special needs.  Marie and her husband (Tim) hope to build a national network of 1,000 churches to support VIP families with respite care.  Other programs offered by Nathaniel’s Hope include Caroling for Kids, a National VIP Birthday Club, Keep ‘m Smiling, Hall of Hope, and an Online Resource Center.  Last June, Nathaniel’s Hope hosted their 11th annual Make ‘m Smile festival at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando to honor and celebrate VIP kids, hosting over 10,000 people…including 1,500 VIP kids!

In Marie’s presentation from Inclusion Fusion 2012, she shares creative ways that churches…and the most fearful, inexperienced volunteer in the church-can serve kids with special needs and their families using fun, meaningful outreach opportunities. Nathaniel’s Hope has engaged thousands of “green” volunteers thru their annual Make ‘m Smile festival, Christmas Outreach and respite care program.

Here’s Marie’s presentation…

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