We provide resources and awareness to amplify the love and understanding of special needs families.
As a special needs family - we can be honest – we just don’t always have the answers.
At CRF, we AMPLIFY the offerings typically available to K-12 students in four key areas, helping to create a more robust, lifelong network of opportunities for developmental growth:
1) Post Secondary College Programs
The Need
Many individuals with Intellectual Disabilities are just as capable of participating in meaningful employment and independent living as any of us. But they need a bit more help to get there!
Transitional, post-secondary programs have grown in number and sophistication at institutions across the country. They teach individuals to live more independently and productively in a University experience, all the while providing the general student population exposure to inclusion in action. The programs that CRF partners with include living in traditional campus housing and apartments, a tailored curriculum and personal development plan, and employment training.
Our Goals for Post-secondary Life
Create relationships w/ post-secondary programs in the Carolinas.
Work with programs to understand their growth objectives and fund strategic initiatives to increase enrollment and expand offerings.
Help Carolinas programs become best in class in their own unique ways.
3) Camps and Family Support Programs
The Need
Camps and other “after hours” programs for special needs individuals and families allow unique individuals come together to grow in exciting, challenging, and inclusive environments that build social skills, confidence and independence.
They also offer a chance for families to trust others with the care of their child, allowing respite or bonding with siblings.
Our Goals for Family Support Life
Partners with Carolinas based camps and similar programs that provide unique family experiences or fund opportunities for respite.
Fund grants to support attendance to existing camps for individuals.
Partner w/ Camp Royall and others to continue their growth and create strategic initiatives to make the Carolinas a national hotbed for these caps.
2) Employment Skills and Networks
The Need
Therapy for individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities often starts Day One - and will likely continue throughout their lives. Yet, resource availability in the early years can be difficult to understand, and varies greatly from location to location. Parents are often left asking: Where should my child be right now? Am I doing the right thing?
Therapeutic preschools can be a one stop shop for a variety of therapies (physical, occupational, speech, developmental). Coupled with essential social interactivity, they can be game changers for growth and development in the early years.
Our Goals for Employment Skills
Establish a place-based job training and placement program in SouthPark, Charlotte
Establish initiative partners (Lifespan Services) to create and implement a training program for individuals and businesses in SouthPark
Create an employment training / social hub space in SouthPark for CREST
Work with SouthPark Community Partners on innovative transportation initiatives
Grow a network of 10, 20, 50 employers over the first 5 years!
4) Adaptive Sports
The Need
Adaptive sports have opened up incredible opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, providing meaningful ways to participate in physical activity, build confidence, and connect with others. Sports like golf, tennis, and basketball have been adapted through modified rules, equipment, and supportive coaching to meet the needs of athletes at all ability levels. Beyond the physical benefits, these sports foster social inclusion, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging that extends well beyond the playing field.
Our Goals for Adaptive Sports
Partner with existing adaptive sports programs throughout the Carolinas to grow access, enrollment numbers and visibility to the community.
Create partnerships in Charlotte for all major adaptive sports categories along with linkages to professional teams as appropriate.
The Overarching Mission: Spreading Awareness and Understanding
What are Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities? What is it like to play with a child with Down Syndrome - or an Autistic classmate? How do I talk to my child about including children with disabilities in their activities? What is a day in the life like for someone with IDD - or their parents and caregivers?
These are things that most people don’t think about…until they need to think about them.
Our overlying mission at CRF is to get the word out, share our story, and the stories of other families - their everyday triumphs, struggles and resources that make an impact in their lives. By exposing our networks - and their networks - to CRF, we are creating a greater love and understanding in everything that we do.