January Programs Update

Going into the new year, some parts of ACTS will continue from the fall but there are a few exciting changes ahead as well! Our kids had fun and learned so much from the 4 classes we offered last semester. Moving forward many families also expressed that they were missing the larger space for community and fellowship that is typically a part of any day at ACTS. We will now be offering times for kids to gather with their ACTS friends and leaders in our outdoor space at the ACTS house. These hangouts will be a time for fun, treats, and allow us to support our kids in a more relaxed setting that is still mindful of social distancing and COVID safety.Our first hangout was the drive up Christmas party in early January and it was so much fun! 

In addition to meeting kids in-person, we will continue to support them and their families while they are at home during the week. Snacks, meals, books and activities will be available for pick up. Late last year we also began coordinating drop offs to families that would benefit from food and activities but are unable to make it over to the ACTS house for a variety of reasons. As always we are grateful to Ms. Nancy and Ms. Deb for faithfully continuing to put together these snack/meal kits and activity packs! 

We also want to highlight someone who has been helping us with these kits over the last few months and has been a meaningful part of ACTS for an even longer time. Nate is the son of our beloved Ms. Deb who has helped ACTS on and off behind-the-scenes for years. Nate has been part of Jaime’s life since he was a child, before ACTS was even an official ministry. Now on his way into adulthood, we are so grateful to have Nathan go from a volunteer to a staff member on our team! Since April, Nate has been working with his mom to create “fun bags” that go out along with the other activities we have been sending home with kids. He has now taken on a more active role in brainstorming and creating the activities packs from start to finish. Starting in December we hired Nate to help with both activities and snack packs. Our staff noticed that it’s been harder than usual for adults with special needs to find work and volunteer opportunities during COVID. So it was important to us that Nathan have an opportunity to join us in a more official capacity. He has been a huge help to us and we are excited to see what activities he will create in the upcoming season!