Kids to kids Blog
THANK YOU MENTORS!
k2K Board developed programs for our kids on Zoom. Mentors have all been a huge part of making it a successe!!
https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/local/how-we-live/families-children/2020/06/15/kids-to-kids-k-2-k-peer-mentorship-morristown-nonprofit/5344002002/
K2k Goes Virtual
We are aware of how difficult the time is for our kids and K2K is trying to be supportive.
WE ARE ALSO RECORDING SESSIONS FOR YOU TO USE ANYTIME!
Topic: Thursday Yoga
Start Time : Apr 9, 2020 03:50 PM
You should have received an email for registration- if not go to “Get Involved” and register
| Schedule:
Monday: Skype Hangout 4:15-5pm Monday: Zoom Yoga 6:30-7:30pm Tuesday: Skype Dance Class 4:15-5pm Wednesday: Skype Hangout 4-5pm (Puzzles) Thursday: Skype Yoga Class 4:15-5pm Friday: Skype Hangout 4-5pm (Movies, through screen sharing) Friday: Zoom Dance 3pm-4pm Saturday: Skype Hangout 11-12pm (Coloring) Saturday: Zoom Dryland (exercise) 5:15-6:16 Sunday: Skype Dryland 2-3pm The activities are not necessary, just prompts to make conversation flow easily. |
Mendhan HS IBCP Donation
Students in the International Baccalaureate Career Development Program selected K2k to be the core of the learning about Not for Profits, culminating in an actual fundraiser. Big thanks to Lucie Antonius, Alex Vilot, and Morgan Robertson. They raised $688.00!
The Philanthropy Project is a guided program that introduces students to the world of service and skills necessary to create an independent Service Learning Project. Students identify their philanthropic interests, research charitable organizations and demonstrated a similar mission through an analysis of that organization.
Els for Autism and the NJ Golf Foundation Event
Els for Autism held their annual golf event for special needs children at the Trump National Golf Bedminster NJ,
The NJ Golf Foundation Pro’s ran a golf clinic for the participants. Chris Hunt, Executive Director of the Foundation also provided gifts to all participants.
Kellogg Club Donation to K2k
Kidstokids is the recipient of the Kellogg Club’s annual donation to a local Not for Profit Organization which is making a significant contribution to the Community.
The Kellogg Club is described as one of the unique treasures of Morristown. It is best known for its Historical Preservation of the Colles Mansion but is much more. It offers year-round social and cultural programs.
Little known is their philanthropic work in supporting the community at large with an annual donation.
This year’s significant donation to Kidstokids goes beyond the financial, as 22 of the volunteers at Kidstokids are also Kellogg Club members.
Thanks, Kellogg Club for your donation! This award will support the 9 programs and over 150 families Kidstokids serves!!
K2K Recipient of the ARC of Morris Award 2019
K2k and especially our Founding Board are the recipients of the 2019 ARC of Morris Distinguished Community Service Award!!
Swim Meet Feb 2019
Kids2Kids Makes A SPLASH!
By Stephanie Crowley
February 9, 2019
The Morristown High School pool filled with a roaring crowd this past Saturday–but with a twist! The Kids2Kids Special Needs Mentoring Program bi-annual swim meet just might be the most exciting event of the season!
After 7 years of her work with Kids2Kids, Juliana Scerbo, a senior from Mountain Lakes High School and K2K Board Member, said the best thing about the meet “is seeing all the new faces of swimmers each year and the joy on parents’ faces as they witness their child’s abilities.”
Every Saturday at the Morristown High School pool, special needs swimmers are paired with a teen mentor who teaches mechanics and helps swimmers conquer fears in the water. The K2K swim meet consummates weeks of practice and swimmers get so excited to show all they’ve learned; sometimes surprising themselves!
Zoe Antonius, a senior at Mendham High School and K2K Board Member, reflected on the day’s events and noted how many success stories there are–from swimmers learning to dive in at the start of their race to swimmers like Brian, age 10, who swam his first full lap in competition.
The meet is held like any official swim meet: starters, judges, heats of freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. Only this meet you will see mentors lined along the pool edge cheering for their swimmer, parents taping every race, and therapists monitoring behaviors and actions. “This is result of what is possible when teens use their talent and empathy. The program could not exist without all of our teen mentors who give so much of their time to share with our special needs kids. As a parent of a special needs child, we have to work so hard to find the right environment and appropriate programs for our kids to participate in. Kids2Kids has filled this void”, says Dave May, father of Ryan who swims on Morristown High School swim team and is a current student at the school. “Many of our K2K special needs swimmers also participate in our other programs that run weeknights at other locations in the school district. The K2K program, lead by some amazing teens, has spun into so many more activities that provide a safe place for our special needs kids.”
Dawn Gaita, mother of 12 year old Erik, has witnessed incredible growth and new abilities in her Down’s Syndrome son who also has a few additional diagnoses. “We have come to K2K programs for the past 7 years. There is no judgement here and my son can be active and involved in a sport at his level. There is so much peer interaction and no competition to participate–my son is accepted and not ‘cut’ because of his inability or speed.” Both Dawn and Erik’s mentor, Morristown High senior Sean Manning, were so proud to witness Erik push past his limitations and complete his first full lap of competition. Mentors build trust with swimmers over time and then the breakthrough results in some big accomplishments! Erik’s smile proved to the crowd how special this program truly is.
K2K offers additional classes in Yoga, Golf, Running, Art, Theater, and Tae Kwon Do. For more information on how to become a teen mentor for K2K or to join this network of special needs families, visit our website at: www.kidstokids.us
k2k Golf Program Featured
Big Thanks to the Essex Golf Center and the NJ Golf Foundation for their support and sponsorship!
Kali’s Mitzvah Project
One of our wonderful swim mentors, Kalanit Krasner-Cohen is celebrating her Bat Mitzvah. As one of her Mitzvah Projects she had donated swim caps and goggles for our special needs swim program.
Thank you Kali!!
COACH G ADVOCACY AWARD
Coach Donna Gelegonya, physical education teacher and head swim coach at Morristown High School in New Jersey, has been producing excellence for over 20 years.
K2K is forever indebted to Coach G for being a champion of our programs and we recognize her for her Advocacy, Passion and Dedication for all kids- especially our special kids.
Presenting the award are Meghan Crowley and Justin Viotto, Founding Board Members of K2k and senior swimmers for Coach G.
THANKS G!!
