Kids With Special Needs Get ‘Car Parade’ In West Orange – Yahoo News

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The group behind LifeTown in Livingston led a heartwarming “car parade” in West Orange last weekend to lift the spirits of children with special needs.

a unique facility for special needs education in Essex County – carried out their latest endeavor for local kids.” data-reactid=”13″>On Sunday, Friendship Circle – the group that spearheaded LifeTown, a unique facility for special needs education in Essex County – carried out their latest endeavor for local kids.

Traveling throughout West Orange and making sure to maintain social distancing, Friendship Circle volunteers teamed up with the West Orange Police Department and the West Orange Fire Department to bring a smile to dozens of faces.

According to a statement from Friendship Circle, the car parade was a way to mark Autism Awareness Month, which couldn’t be observed this year because of New Jersey’s shutdown amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“As hard as social isolation is for most of us during this pandemic, it is impossibly difficult for people with special needs,” Friendship Circle CEO Zalman Grossbaum said.

“Our parents report this has been devastating to their children, and that their behavioral challenges are greatly exacerbated by social isolation and disruption to their daily routine,” Grossbaum said. “What better way to ‘visit’ our families while ensuring social distancing than through a car parade with some of our local volunteers and law enforcement heroes?”

The organization also recently held a similar car parade in Livingston.

The parades are just one way that Friendship Circle has been adapting during the outbreak. According to the group:

“Friendship Circle has responded to the needs of the community by immediately pivoting to virtual platforms for service delivery while maintaining consistent contact with our families. Just a few examples include using web-based platforms to offer interactive programs, including social groups allowing for interaction with peers and all-day live programming, such as cooking classes, music, storytime, yoga and art programs. Supply packages are regularly delivered to each home to help facilitate the involvement. We expanded and adapted our flagship Friends@Home program, allowing teen volunteers to connect weekly with children through FaceTime, texts, WhatsApp and other platforms, while stay-at-home rules remain in effect. In addition to the opportunities for children, teens and adults with special needs, we are offering programs for their parents as well. Yoga, art and educational seminars give parents much-needed support during these challenging times.”

Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.” data-reactid=”27″>Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.

This article originally appeared on the West Orange Patch
” data-reactid=”28″>This article originally appeared on the West Orange Patch