SPECIAL NEEDS

THE SPECIAL NEEDS TEAM was formed to ensure the integration of persons with disabilities into the Hillside Church community. The team works to provide a way for groups of congregation members to give love, understanding, and encouragement to individuals and families with disabilities. 

The Special Needs Team Mission Statement

Recognizing that persons with disabilities bring unique gifts to the life and ministry of the church, we seek to promote the full inclusion, participation and contribution of all persons. To this end, our team will:

1.     identify areas of need and gifts;

2.     generate, share and coordinate ideas and resources; and

3.     educate, encourage, and enable each other

4.     advocate for those with special needs within the Hillside community

Members of Hillside can contact the following committee members if they are aware of a special need within our congregation:

Children with special needs living with family members
– Stephanie VanderVeen stephanieharlett@sbcglobal.net 656-1464

Middle school, high school/college-age young people with special needs living with family members
- open position (contact Stephanie VanderVeen for now)

Adults with special needs living in group homes or apartments
– Wayne Schaaf  wayne@itcetera.com  281-2155

Individuals with physical disabilities and physical rehab needs
- Lyn Jansen lrjan@sbcglobal.net 532-2250

Senior adults with permanent disabilities and long term illness
- open position (contact Lyn Jansen for now)

Individuals with drug and alcohol related challenges, and those with mental health issues (and other confidential concerns)
- Ken Visser kentermacvisser@gmail.com 891-8583

The Special Needs Team has organized to:

1. Assess and Monitor Needs and Gifts of members with disabilities and challenges through surveys, personal contacts, and encouraging members who know of a need to contact a team member by phone, email, or website form.
   
   
2. Evaluate and update, as needed, the church parking, building, stage, and seating access and special equipment to aid members who have physical impairments.
   
   
3. Arrange for individual opportunities for spiritual growth through individual mentoring, small group studies, transportation assistance, and helping individuals connect with other special needs- focused worship and bible study opportunities.
   
   
4. Research, publicize and purchase of books and media relevant to challenges to churches and individuals with disabilities.
   
   
5. Plan one or more social interaction activities between members with special needs and other church members to increase familiarity and friendships.
   
   
6. Promote awareness of team availability, specific disabilities, and related causes, publish monthly ads in the church bulletin, create related articles in each issue of the Inside Hillside Newsletter and the church website, and plan one focused disability awareness event each year.

For more information about their efforts, or to join this compassionate ministry, please contact Wayne Schaaf.