Growing Up Included

What is Growing Up Included?

This is a program sponsored by The Arc of Midland in partnership with the Voluntary Action Center of Midland County.

This program promotes inclusive recreation in whatever activity your child with special needs might want to participate in. We help children with developmental disabilities become successfully included with their peers while having fun in their community.

We hope that you consider this an option for getting your child involved in the community.

The Voluntary Action Center of Midland recruits Volunteens in our area to fill requests that have been made to assist young people in our community with inclusive recreation opportunities. They provide us with names of those interested in helping individuals with special needs. The Arc of Midland is responsible for setting up the initial meeting and making the decision as to what will work best for individual families.

If your child with special needs is between the ages of 6-18 and has a developmental disability, he/she is eligible for this program. This is a year round program. Your child can participate any time of year.

Look at the Possibilities!

Our community offers a variety of inclusive recreation activities for all children of all ages. For example, gymnastics, Chippewa Nature Center, Midland Community Center, swimming, dance, West Midland Family Center, tennis, art programs, ice skating, roller skating, bowling, sledding, golfing, Library.

Tell us about your child...

It is important that we understand the needs of your child. We collect information about your child and their interests and then we look for the match that we feel fits your particular child. The more information you can provide the more successful the match.

This is what we have to offer!

Supporting the individual with developmental disabilities is what makes this program so successful. Many kids need a buddy to increase their involvement in community recreation. The Volunteens fill this need by providing the necessary support.

This program is also very rewarding to the Volunteens as they expand their understanding of developmental disabilities.

Parent Feedback

A parent of a child who participated in this program summed up their experience as follows:

"She helped my son by being a friend and keeping him included. Starting day camp with a Volunteen made him much more comfortable and ready to accept the new experience."

For more information...

Contact Laurel Bucci, Family Participation Associate, bucci@thearcofmidland.org