January 9, 2025 • 30 mins
Community DC Host Dennis Glasgow welcomes 'So Kids Soar' Executive Director Glenda Smith to talk about her non-profit, programs, events, volunteers, donations and much more!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Good morning and welcome to another edition of Community d C.
I'm your host Dennis Glasgow. This morning, we welcome back
to the program executive director for So Kids Sore, Glenda Smith.
It's a nonprofit in the DMV that works with anyone
from the ages of three to thirty with a disability
and creates an environment of fun and being active through
sports and many other events that are pretty exciting. Over
(00:21):
the next thirty minutes, you'll get to find out how
you can be involved in many different ways and hear
how So Kids Sore are changing lives in a very
positive way with their donors and local sports teams. Here's
my conversation with Glenda. I hope you enjoy it as
much as I did. Good morning, Glenda, Good morning Dennis.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Thank you again for having me on.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
It's my pleasure and welcome back to Community d SEE.
We've had you on a handful of times to talk
about SO Kids Sore and you do so many cool
things as executive director with your team, and I know
there are new things to talk about, like a podcast
ski trip, but I think we should educate all of
our listeners Glinda, who don't know about So Kids Sore
and how dare you everybody but or here for the
(01:00):
next thirty minutes to fill you in on all the
cool things that Glenna does with families and what they
actually do with with all the local charities and businesses
and sports teams and cool things to get people active.
And that's the really great thing. So let's do this.
Let's just tell everybody what so Kids story is. First.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Clinda Definitely so Goodsor is a five oh one c
three nonprofit based out of the DC area, and we
provide well we empower youth of disabilities to strive, own, achieve,
and realize their potential. That's where the soar acronym comes
from in our name. And we do this through three
different programs. The first are our adaptive clinics, which are
(01:39):
held once or twice a month.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
We also have a coinciding.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Virtual Adaptive clinic once a month as well, and these
are different activities from baseball to tennis to more recreational
like stem or a prom just a different type of
activity every month to get these kids engaged, get them
try new activities, letting them bond with volunteers that come
(02:04):
out to the clinics, and it's our way of showing
them that they can accomplish something on the field, or
on the core or in a classroom. If they can
do that, that they can accomplish anything in their.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Lives as well.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Our second program is our Holiday Celebration, which is at
the end of every year. It's an opportunity for our
participants to give back to the community, showing them the
ripple effects of what they can do and how they
can touch people, not only locally, but internationally as well.
So we'll partner with nonprofits in the area, but like
I mentioned, also other nonprofits that are not in the country.
(02:44):
One of the things we do at this event is
we wrap a lot of presents and those presents go
to a handful of organizations. I think this past year
we wrapped almost three hundred presents for homeless youth through
and we gave them to the d we See Metro
and Adoptive Foster Parent Association along with the Napkin Network.
(03:07):
We made dog treat balls for local animal shelters and
the kids also created English to Japanese flash cards for
a nonprofit in Japan that works with young adults with disabilities.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
So it's showing them.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
That even if they have a disability. No matter your
ability type, you can still make an impact in the community.
And finally, the program I'm most proud of is our
vocational Building program. It's a ten to eleven week curriculum.
We take up to ten young adults with disabilities. We
guide them through building a resume, mock interviewing, networking. They're
(03:46):
each assigned to mentors are volunteers of ours to really
build that social engagement and help them build their confidence
independence through the three months of the curriculum.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
And the goal is to really help them self sufficient,
help them find a job by the time they graduate
the program.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
But I'm proud to say that last I checked, we
have gotten about fifty percent of the graduates hired in
either full time or part time roles, internships, or they
are doing some type of extended education like a college course.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
You know, I love that you do that, and I'm
sure you've got everybody's attention about Jesus. So how do
I work with Glendon her team on all these cool
things We're going to tell you in just a minute.
But one of the nice things that I think you
do is that you take it to the next level
with your team. Not only are you assisting people with disabilities,
and we'll talk about criteria for everybody too, so everybody
understands when you call on Glenda, then you want to
be a part of something. You know, disabilities is a
(04:43):
really big word, or what does that mean? And how
do you get involved with Glendon and what does somebody
qualify for We'll talk about all that to make sure
we're very clear about it. But what you've done with
your team is that not only you've assisted people just
to be active, but you've gotten them to the next
level to maybe do a job or be productive. And
like all human beings, you know, whatever we have, we
want to make sure that we're productive. We want to
(05:05):
do things whatever your capabilities are. Some people might have limitations.
But I just love it that forward thinking that we're
trying to grow you as a human being, no matter
what is maybe holding you back from whatever is a
non disabled person. What we wanted to find that is
that you're going and I imagine when you hear from families
that they are just thrilled to death that not only
they get to work with you, but there is some
(05:26):
growth potential for everybody out there. And I love that
you do that.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
I mean, I think no matter what your ability level is,
everyone likes to feel needed, like that they're contributing something
to the world. And I think our participants have so
many unique talents that as I'm just trying to be
a conduit to helping them figure out what it is
and helping them progress. It's funny you mentioned that we
(05:51):
that we're helping these kids evolve and find the next
step in their lives. We actually hired one of the
graduates who she went through the program in twenty twenty too.
She is now our full time programs analysts and we're
a small team, we only have three full time staff
and she has been just doing wonderfully.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
With providing metrics. She has her own.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Little monthly I Guess column where she goes over the
statistics of the programs from that previous month. And just
this morning, we were recording our first ever so Kitsore podcast,
which was the brainchild of.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
One of our graduates.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
It wasn't even me who I Guess try to push
him to do it. He was the one who came
up with the idea asked me if I could help
him make it come to life, and I said, you know,
whatever you need, we will make it happen. And I
think the most important thing too, is just treating all
of these kids. It doesn't matter ability type like I mentioned,
(06:47):
but they are real people with something to offer to
the community, to the world, and making sure that they
know that they're special and they have these talents.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Well, congratulations on the podcast. And the final thought on
this is that I'm glad the acknowledgment is happening because
once again, I imagine families, the feedback you get is, you know,
we do have some challenges. It is hard, but you're
making things feel normalized. And I imagine that the feedback
you get is just in that direction that thank you
(07:16):
for just treating us normally and making us active and
getting our family to the next level when we have
all these daily challenges. So with that said, I think
we've got a lot of families attention about some of
the programs that you have. What's the criteria for somebody
just reaching out to you and being a part of
some of your programs.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Yeah, there is absolutely I mean, we welcome all youth
of disabilities age four to thirty. There's really no other criteria.
If you are ever questioning if our programs are a
good fit. I welcome you to just send me an
email and I'll hop on a zoom call to talk
more about it. But the only I think the only
(07:54):
criteria is really that we want a parent or guardian
to be on site with the purchaicipant when they come
so that we can really get acclimated to working with them.
But outside of that, you just have to go to
our website register for the individual clinics or if it's
for the vocation building curriculum. We release those applications in May,
(08:15):
so if you are listening and interested in that, you
can just shoot me an email and I can put
you on our list when that time comes around. And yes,
and for volunteers, you know, we have a small volunteer
recruitment process where I do a couple of screenings. But
outside of that, if you are interested in helping and
becoming a friend of one of our participants, we always
(08:37):
welcome that energy and we don't turn anyone really away.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
So you talked about partners, and this is kind of
wide ranging, and if anybody wants to follows Kids Sore
and what Glenn does with their team, you'll see the
Washington Capitals on there a lot, and I know you
have a special relationship with them, and they've been very
giving of their time and their rinks and their players
and everything. So I want you to talk a little
bit about that, but maybe some other people that you
partner up with that kind of giving an example of
(09:02):
people about this is how you can work with us
and so kids sort But why don't you talk about
the Washington Capital a little bit because I know it's
a pretty special relationship.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Yeah, thanks Dennis, that's a great question.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
The Capitals have actually been one of our longest standing partners.
We've been working with them before I took over in
twenty eleven.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
I think our first clinic with them.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Was in two thousand and nine, and every year we
host an adaptive ice hockey clinic with them, which allows
even paraplegic youth who might not be able to walk,
they're able to get on the ice feel the thrill
of being on the ice, fledding, getting pushed around by
a Caps player, and I think for the Caps, the
(09:43):
ones that do come, it's also a nice breadth of air,
fresh air for them to see the impact of them
giving back and also the kids that they the lives that.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
They're change And I think the two that.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
I really want to shout out to our Nick daut
and Charlie Lindgren. They have been super involved with our
organization for the past two years. They always make sure
they have FaceTime with each and every kid at our clinic.
But above that, they try to find different ways, whether
it be sending special invitations to games and doing a
(10:21):
meet and greet after, or volunteering their time with.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Some of our other programs which we're working on.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Having Nick or Charlie come to our vocational building program
and speaking with the youth in that program. It's really
exciting to see them invest in their community and these
kids as well. Some of the other great partners who
work with Washington Spirit. We host an adaptive soccer clinic
with them every year, and I mean they have this
been doing so well. Really excited about our women's soccer team.
(10:52):
But Nicole barn Barney, as she goes by, she has
been working with us for the past few years as
well as an so she'll come to the clinics really
lead the clinic. But above that, she also is an artist,
which I never knew, so we've talked about her possibly
running a virtual art clinic for us. But just more
(11:14):
recently she designed a T shirt that where sales went
back to benefit so gud Sore.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
So that was really.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Different but fun way to get to have her more
involved as well.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
This is a good segue to talk about funding you
because I know what's really important as a nonprofit. But
you've got these organizations and you mentioned two fine ones
with the Capitals and the Spirit. They have wonderful organizations,
great culture. The players are really cool too, as you mentioned.
If somebody has a business that you can have an
event app or if they want to donate money or
(11:47):
they want to be like an annual partner, can we
go through the process about how they reach out to
you and what exactly you're looking for, whether it's hosting
a clinic or being a partner for others, some kind
of an event or a function.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Yes, definitely, we have different ways to get involved, and
I like to also get creative.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
So you can always let me know if.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
What your budget is or you know how you want
to integrate your staff into the clinics. But for the
most part, we have clinics sponsorships or program sponsorships. One
of our title sponsorships which pandemic steriors. One of our
good friends and partners have done for the past two
years is they give to four different clinics each year.
(12:28):
So with that money, we're able to run for clinics.
I believe it's ice, hockey, baseball, prom and soccer that
we can run because of their funding. And that covers
all of the participants and volunteers, all the equipment and supplies,
everything basically for free for the participants and volunteers. And
(12:50):
that's another thing I didn't touch on earlier, but all
of our programming is one hundred percent free.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
We do not charge a single cent.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
We want parents to really come and just feel at ease,
give them a little bit of respite when they're at
our programs as well. But yeah, it just it's a
simple as reaching out to me. We have a sponsor
kit that we can send you. But I think it's
really a conversation because I want to make sure when
you invest in so goods Or that we are also
(13:18):
helping your organization grow too, whether it be through just
volunteer engagement being more active in the community. We want
to make sure it's a good fit between socods or
and the company that is providing that funding.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
We'll give the website a couple of times, which Glinda
is going to do that right now about how to
contact but you know there you can donate through there
in contact Glendon everything. But let's give the website to
everybody and also your socials as well too.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
Yeah, definitely, it's so kidsord dot org. That's s O
K I D S s O A R dot org.
My email is just my name in front of that,
Glenda G. L E N d A at sokitsor dot org.
And yeah, you can just go on there to donate,
to register for any of the programs, and just find
(14:04):
a little bit more information about us too.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
And I'll speak for Glenda that she'll be happy to
take your money. Okay. So yeah, so they could use
it like everybody else. It's hard work out there, man,
it really is.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
It is.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
And I think the one, uh, you know, we just
worked on our strategic plan this past year with our board.
One of the big things I want to focus on
over the next three to five years, it's hiring more
of our graduates, getting them more involved. I know employment
isn't easy for any of us, so if I can
just help out this group with you know, even if
(14:37):
it's part time doing stuff at our clinics, doing registration
or something more involved like performing at our fundraisers. We're
looking to really grow our part time team with our
graduates and hopefully hire another full time staff.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Member as well.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
I love that, and that's the first time I think
that I talked to you. I think you might have
been a staff of one. So you've growed by two
people now, which I think is a huge thing, especially
how hard you work. So you've got to having special
coming up that has to do with skiing, and if
you want to tease at and tell people about what
you're thinking about what you're working on. I know you're excited.
What is it? What's it all about?
Speaker 3 (15:10):
Definitely, we're very excited about taking our first I guess
road trip to a local ski ski facility and setting
up our first ever day long ski clinic. We're working
with a great organization out of Baltimore, and if it
goes well this year, we're really hoping to make it
(15:33):
a longer trip next year, maybe make it overnight where
it's not just doing the skiing, but also doing some
more community activities like maybe karaoke, altogether at night by
the by the fire, really creating a nice weekend where
the parents and their participant or their kids can get
away with us. So it's something we're we're hoping to
(15:57):
offer regularly starting next year. This year's our test run
and it should be around February ninth. We're still affirming
up the details, but very excited to have this come about,
and like you mentioned, we couldn't do without such great partners.
But we're also hoping if you're listening and you have
some ski background and would love to volunteer, we're definitely
(16:20):
open to.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
That as well.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Outside of just the ski trip, we do do water
skiing and tubing every year too, so we're always looking
forward to that clinic. I think, outside of the Capital's
ice hockey clinic, the water sports clinic is one of
our biggest, big events.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
You share, you know, the other thing that you do
that always surprises me, and I'm sure it's surprising some
of our listeners is that you do things that maybe
you think that maybe disabled kids and adults can't do,
and that's just not the case. And I love it
that you're coming up with all these different, really cool
things that people that are able body and don't have
any things that get in the way. I just love
(16:59):
it that you think that way, and that's kind of
the cool thing about the I think the overall mission
is just being active, having fun. We can do it
like everybody else. And that takes me to I'd love
to hear a story or two, because when you and
I have talked over the last couple of two three years,
you always have great stories. And you've been doing this
for a long time now as executive director, and I
imagine there's been a lot of challenges and if anybody
(17:22):
has ever been known to be working in a nonprofit
or know somebody the words, it's just hard work, folks.
It just is, especially when you have a small staff
like Glenda does. But with that said, I imagine that
there are so many families that give you great feedback
or just related do you do with what you do
with your team? Glenn, But maybe since we last talk,
is there anything special, a story or two that stood
out that really touched your heart? Because I know you
(17:42):
know you see some really tough things at times, but
also some really remarkable things. Can you share a story
or two with us?
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Also? I think these parents are such heroes.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
I really want to I want to spotlight this when
we actually interviewed her for the podcast this morning. Her
name's Pierre and her son Kai has been with us
since twenty fifteen.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
She's an incredible mother.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
She lost her daughter, Kay's sister a few years ago,
and just seeing what she has done to change her
life to make sure Kai has the best experience possible
that his sister's death isn't weigh on him has been
so beautiful and just such a message of strength.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
But she came in this morning.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
She's so eloquent, and I think the biggest story from
her is that when Kai first came to us in
twenty fifteen, he was very shy. He was not speaking
at all, he was nonverbal. He'd try the activities, but
he would be overall pretty.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Anxious as well. And it took a few years.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
But it's not just me and touching back on you
know how we talked about just treating them as equals.
You know, she said that the reason Kay's speaking now
is because I just talked to him like I talked
to anyone else.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
And I think that's important.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
I don't think I should change, you know, how I
speak to him no matter what his ability type, and
Pierre said that's been the one saving grace with helping
him really develop his communication skills, but also tapping into
what he likes. So when I taught to him, I
asked him questions. I don't want him to be the
(19:15):
only one asking me questions, but I also ask him
questions about what he likes. And he loves music, he
loves TV, and he is such an incredible wealth of knowledge.
He could probably name who was in a nineteen eighty sitcom,
all of the actors. It's amazing to see. But she
said it's because I asked questions about his life. And
(19:36):
I think that's not just me, but also the volunteer,
some of our board members that he even Kai said
this morning on the podcast that he's always remembered treated
him so kindly. Kyle our board member, Rachel our past
board chair. We always spoke to him like he was
a peer, and that's what his mom, Pierre said, has
(19:57):
really helped him communicate. And now he can't talking or
asking questions, and it's such a touching story, and given
what they've gone through over the last few years, it
makes me happy that she feels like we are a
safe place for her.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
That's so good sore is her family.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
You know, I'm glad you share that because it must
be an emotional journey, whether it's good or bad, of
what you see and what you do every day with
these families, knowing that they have some real struggles behind
the scenes. But I got to tell you, it's pretty
extraordinary that you worked with somebody who's nonverbal, and with
your hard work and your dedication and your love for
these families and these young adults, they are verbal now.
(20:38):
And I always ask people in this series about, you know,
what makes you get up every day and what kind
of turns you on. And it's a story like that
that I imagine, I know, you've got to keep on
moving because it's things are going quickly and you just
have to but you might have to just sit back
for a couple minutes because I know you have your
own family too, that it just must be extraordinary when
things like that happen, and just I mean, there's no
(20:59):
better words, the miraculous. My goodness.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
Yeah, it's it's so incredible.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
And he will he's starting to also just take social cues,
which I think is also developmentally something that is harder
to work on when you have different abilities, but he's
been really great at Like earlier today, when it was
his mom's turn to speak on the podcast, I told Kai,
I will hold your hand when it's your mom's turn
(21:24):
to speak, and you just have to take a pause.
And he understood that internalized and every time I held
his hand while we were recording, he stopped talking and
let his mom speak. It was it was really really
wonderful to see the impact we have on their family.
But a lot of that is his mom too.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Yeah, no doubt. I just I'm sure that she said,
you know, thank thank goodness for London her team to
bring this out, but it's just extortiny. So I'm glad
you shared that with us. I know when you talk
about the upcleaning, upcoming clinics, uh, you know when you
go on the website, which we'll give again, there's ways
to easily register. So if anybody's wondering, and I just
maybe you can take them through that, Glinda that you
(22:02):
know everything is on there, from you know what you do,
to the different programs and getting involved. I know a
media in a big fat red donate button that I
want everybody to take a look at head but when
you go on there, you can actually register online. So
everything's pretty accessible for families just to check out, write
and sign up and register.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Yep, there is next to that big red donate button,
I added a big red newsletter.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
I saw that.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
Yeah, yeah, so that is also the best way to
stay up to date on the programs that are coming
out on the registration site.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
And honestly, we in.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
Our newsletters we started spotlighting other ways to support our family.
So if you can't necessarily come out to a clinic
or a program, we will showcase some of where our
graduates work.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
So, for instance, over the holiday.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
Break, my board member Jay and I visited one of
our graduates, Olivia, who works at biddim Bo's in Annapolis.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
If you ever go out there. As for Olivia, she
she's a very so there.
Speaker 3 (23:01):
But yeah, in our newsletter, will spotlight other things that
are coming up. Kai just helped curate the music for
this Quansa celebration at the Kennedy Center two weeks three
weeks ago, So those are the kind of things will
spotlight also on the news that are outside of just
the registrations.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
One of the cool things that you do and I
kind of started off our conversation with this is about
social media and for a very small team, you guys
are really active and do a great job. I see
everything that you do, especially in IG stories. That's that's
the best part because I see all the video of
the cool things that you guys do, so families, if
you're wondering what Glenna and her team are doing, you
(23:38):
actually get to see it in real time, and it
is extensive. It's cool and fun. But the reason why
I bring that up is that I think people always
want to say, well, I want to see the proof
of the pudd and what's Glinna really doing with everybody?
And you're active and you're busy, So I'm just I
wanted to give you kudos to you and your team
that you're doing that, because I know we live in
a social media era right now, but you really do
it extensively to show all the families and everybody, Hey,
(24:00):
we're busy, we do a lot of fun and you
get to see it in real time. I just love
that you do that.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Thank you, Jess.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
You're like, you're one of our biggest supporters on social media.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Yes, I am. Yeah, I see the likes, I always
see the heart. Yeah, I think it's important.
Speaker 3 (24:14):
You know, we still, even though we have a lot
of families in our network, I know there's still more
that we have not touched yet. So you know, I
appreciate you bringing that up, and hopefully more people can
follow us, share our message, our mission, and our programs
so that we can hopefully gather more families into our
network over the next few years too. You know, we
(24:37):
love to deepen our connections to just a disability community.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
In this area.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
Even though we've been operating since two thousand and nine
and I've been doing this since twenty eleven, I still
feel like there's families out there that don't know about us.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Yeah, and that's why we're talking to you. So iHeart
can be a bit of a megaphone for so kids
sore and what you do. We only have about five
minutes left, so before we do kind of a recap
of our conver station. We talked about the skin that's
coming up. But is there anything that is percolating in
twenty twenty five that you think you might want to
do or that parents said, hey, why don't you do this?
Is there something that maybe you're thinking about that might
(25:11):
be exciting that you're just kind of working with an
idea now that you would like to do in twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Well, the podcast just to shine some light on that.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Again, we're very excited about Michael as our graduate who
came up with the idea.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
He designed the cover.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
For the I guess the podcast cover for when we
put it up on the sites, but he will.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
Be editing producing it.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
We just record our first to two episodes.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Give us some grace our first time doing this.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
I don't know how you do this all the time, Dennis,
It's really it.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Takes a lot of talent.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
But we were hopefully going to put out at least
one episode every month, and we will involve some of
our some of those players I talked about before, we're
hoping to have them come on with Michael interviewing them.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
And then outside the Ski Trip.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
We we are hoping to just have another full year
of programs.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
I think the Ski Trip and.
Speaker 3 (26:05):
The podcast are the two biggest exciting things for twenty
twenty five, but we are also working on I think
our prom every year is a big hit. So and
we partner with Saint Albans on that event. We're hoping
to create something prom like for the summer for later
(26:27):
in the summer as well, more of like a social mixer.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
So that will be a new project for us.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
But the neat thing about that is our programs Anna Skierra,
who's a.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Graduate of ours.
Speaker 3 (26:39):
She will be the one really taking the lead on it,
and I'm just going to be sitting on the sideline.
So I'm more excited for her to take it on
and see all of her dreams come to fruition with that.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Just to be factual what I've seen, Glenna really doesn't
really sit on any sideline. She's always active doing something,
so she's being generous about that. But that's very kind
of you to say when it comes to her and
what she's doing. So let's do this. We only have
about a couple minutes left. I want to kind of
recap everybody with the website, registering, signing up, what's available
(27:10):
to them, the criteria, what people can do, and what
you're working on. So the floor is yours, clind to
go ahead, Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Well.
Speaker 3 (27:18):
First off, our website is so kidssore dot org.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
You can find my email on there as well.
Speaker 3 (27:24):
Please reach out if you have any questions, but you
can register for all of our programs there, whether you're
a participant, a parent, or a volunteer. You can also
donate there, sign up for our newsletter there. That's where
all of our information really comes out, and it's biweekly.
And then outside of that, we run pretty much a
different clinic, a different activity every month for kids to
(27:47):
try out new skill or just work on ones that
they might have. We also have a holiday program at
the end of every year where our.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Participants give back to the community.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
And finally, we have a vocational building program called Your
Past Success. Those applications go out in May, so if
you're interested, please just send me a message.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
We're looking for at least five, but up to ten awesome.
Speaker 3 (28:12):
Young adults with special abilities that want to take hold
of their future. And yeah, I think that's the whole spiel,
but thank you so much, Dennis.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
Well, you're welcomer. And then and then also we do
want to remind people that you're still looking for volunteers
and also anybody that wants to donate, building their time
or be a part of a clinic, you're also taking
those two. We want to make sure that that's available
to people to reach out to you for that too.
Speaker 3 (28:36):
Right, Definitely, everything no idea is a poor idea. So
if there's any way you'd like to contribute, it doesn't
have to just be with money, although we welcome donations.
But if you have a facility, equipment, or you just
have knowledge in some activity like skiing or you know,
water skiing or music, we'd love to engage you in
(28:59):
some way. So yeah, please reach out. We'd love to
have you grow with us and volunteer.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
All right, outstanding Glen and she's all doing this, folks,
with balancing her own crazy household too, so imagine what
that's like on a three person nonprofit team. And then
your own family is an incredible as a dad, and
I have a twenty two year old. Now, I've been
through it, but I haven't had multiple kids. But my gosh,
Glinda is working and burning the midnight oil. Everybody. It's
nice to catch up with you again because I know
(29:27):
we talk about every six months. I'm glad that the
organization continues to grow. I know it's a lot of
hard work, but as I watch you on social media,
I see just all the amazing cool things that you
and your team are doing, and your incredible partners like
the Capitals and the Washington Spirit and many others that
we haven't mentioned that either donate their time, they volunteer,
or they have a facility. I know that everybody's been
(29:48):
very generous and that's due to your hard work and
forging these great relationships. So continue success. Thank you so much.
We'll check in with you during the summertime, and we
really appreciate you joining us on Community DC.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Yes, thank you so much. Javis
Good morning and welcome to another edition of Community d C.
I'm your host Dennis Glasgow. This morning, we welcome back
to the program executive director for So Kids Sore, Glenda Smith.
It's a nonprofit in the DMV that works with anyone
from the ages of three to thirty with a disability
and creates an environment of fun and being active through
sports and many other events that are pretty exciting. Over
(00:21):
the next thirty minutes, you'll get to find out how
you can be involved in many different ways and hear
how So Kids Sore are changing lives in a very
positive way with their donors and local sports teams. Here's
my conversation with Glenda. I hope you enjoy it as
much as I did. Good morning, Glenda, Good morning Dennis.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Thank you again for having me on.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
It's my pleasure and welcome back to Community d SEE.
We've had you on a handful of times to talk
about SO Kids Sore and you do so many cool
things as executive director with your team, and I know
there are new things to talk about, like a podcast
ski trip, but I think we should educate all of
our listeners Glinda, who don't know about So Kids Sore
and how dare you everybody but or here for the
(01:00):
next thirty minutes to fill you in on all the
cool things that Glenna does with families and what they
actually do with with all the local charities and businesses
and sports teams and cool things to get people active.
And that's the really great thing. So let's do this.
Let's just tell everybody what so Kids story is. First.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Clinda Definitely so Goodsor is a five oh one c
three nonprofit based out of the DC area, and we
provide well we empower youth of disabilities to strive, own, achieve,
and realize their potential. That's where the soar acronym comes
from in our name. And we do this through three
different programs. The first are our adaptive clinics, which are
(01:39):
held once or twice a month.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
We also have a coinciding.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Virtual Adaptive clinic once a month as well, and these
are different activities from baseball to tennis to more recreational
like stem or a prom just a different type of
activity every month to get these kids engaged, get them
try new activities, letting them bond with volunteers that come
(02:04):
out to the clinics, and it's our way of showing
them that they can accomplish something on the field, or
on the core or in a classroom. If they can
do that, that they can accomplish anything in their.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Lives as well.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Our second program is our Holiday Celebration, which is at
the end of every year. It's an opportunity for our
participants to give back to the community, showing them the
ripple effects of what they can do and how they
can touch people, not only locally, but internationally as well.
So we'll partner with nonprofits in the area, but like
I mentioned, also other nonprofits that are not in the country.
(02:44):
One of the things we do at this event is
we wrap a lot of presents and those presents go
to a handful of organizations. I think this past year
we wrapped almost three hundred presents for homeless youth through
and we gave them to the d we See Metro
and Adoptive Foster Parent Association along with the Napkin Network.
(03:07):
We made dog treat balls for local animal shelters and
the kids also created English to Japanese flash cards for
a nonprofit in Japan that works with young adults with disabilities.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
So it's showing them.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
That even if they have a disability. No matter your
ability type, you can still make an impact in the community.
And finally, the program I'm most proud of is our
vocational Building program. It's a ten to eleven week curriculum.
We take up to ten young adults with disabilities. We
guide them through building a resume, mock interviewing, networking. They're
(03:46):
each assigned to mentors are volunteers of ours to really
build that social engagement and help them build their confidence
independence through the three months of the curriculum.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
And the goal is to really help them self sufficient,
help them find a job by the time they graduate
the program.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
But I'm proud to say that last I checked, we
have gotten about fifty percent of the graduates hired in
either full time or part time roles, internships, or they
are doing some type of extended education like a college course.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
You know, I love that you do that, and I'm
sure you've got everybody's attention about Jesus. So how do
I work with Glendon her team on all these cool
things We're going to tell you in just a minute.
But one of the nice things that I think you
do is that you take it to the next level
with your team. Not only are you assisting people with disabilities,
and we'll talk about criteria for everybody too, so everybody
understands when you call on Glenda, then you want to
be a part of something. You know, disabilities is a
(04:43):
really big word, or what does that mean? And how
do you get involved with Glendon and what does somebody
qualify for We'll talk about all that to make sure
we're very clear about it. But what you've done with
your team is that not only you've assisted people just
to be active, but you've gotten them to the next
level to maybe do a job or be productive. And
like all human beings, you know, whatever we have, we
want to make sure that we're productive. We want to
(05:05):
do things whatever your capabilities are. Some people might have limitations.
But I just love it that forward thinking that we're
trying to grow you as a human being, no matter
what is maybe holding you back from whatever is a
non disabled person. What we wanted to find that is
that you're going and I imagine when you hear from families
that they are just thrilled to death that not only
they get to work with you, but there is some
(05:26):
growth potential for everybody out there. And I love that
you do that.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
I mean, I think no matter what your ability level is,
everyone likes to feel needed, like that they're contributing something
to the world. And I think our participants have so
many unique talents that as I'm just trying to be
a conduit to helping them figure out what it is
and helping them progress. It's funny you mentioned that we
(05:51):
that we're helping these kids evolve and find the next
step in their lives. We actually hired one of the
graduates who she went through the program in twenty twenty too.
She is now our full time programs analysts and we're
a small team, we only have three full time staff
and she has been just doing wonderfully.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
With providing metrics. She has her own.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Little monthly I Guess column where she goes over the
statistics of the programs from that previous month. And just
this morning, we were recording our first ever so Kitsore podcast,
which was the brainchild of.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
One of our graduates.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
It wasn't even me who I Guess try to push
him to do it. He was the one who came
up with the idea asked me if I could help
him make it come to life, and I said, you know,
whatever you need, we will make it happen. And I
think the most important thing too, is just treating all
of these kids. It doesn't matter ability type like I mentioned,
(06:47):
but they are real people with something to offer to
the community, to the world, and making sure that they
know that they're special and they have these talents.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Well, congratulations on the podcast. And the final thought on
this is that I'm glad the acknowledgment is happening because
once again, I imagine families, the feedback you get is, you know,
we do have some challenges. It is hard, but you're
making things feel normalized. And I imagine that the feedback
you get is just in that direction that thank you
(07:16):
for just treating us normally and making us active and
getting our family to the next level when we have
all these daily challenges. So with that said, I think
we've got a lot of families attention about some of
the programs that you have. What's the criteria for somebody
just reaching out to you and being a part of
some of your programs.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Yeah, there is absolutely I mean, we welcome all youth
of disabilities age four to thirty. There's really no other criteria.
If you are ever questioning if our programs are a
good fit. I welcome you to just send me an
email and I'll hop on a zoom call to talk
more about it. But the only I think the only
(07:54):
criteria is really that we want a parent or guardian
to be on site with the purchaicipant when they come
so that we can really get acclimated to working with them.
But outside of that, you just have to go to
our website register for the individual clinics or if it's
for the vocation building curriculum. We release those applications in May,
(08:15):
so if you are listening and interested in that, you
can just shoot me an email and I can put
you on our list when that time comes around. And yes,
and for volunteers, you know, we have a small volunteer
recruitment process where I do a couple of screenings. But
outside of that, if you are interested in helping and
becoming a friend of one of our participants, we always
(08:37):
welcome that energy and we don't turn anyone really away.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
So you talked about partners, and this is kind of
wide ranging, and if anybody wants to follows Kids Sore
and what Glenn does with their team, you'll see the
Washington Capitals on there a lot, and I know you
have a special relationship with them, and they've been very
giving of their time and their rinks and their players
and everything. So I want you to talk a little
bit about that, but maybe some other people that you
partner up with that kind of giving an example of
(09:02):
people about this is how you can work with us
and so kids sort But why don't you talk about
the Washington Capital a little bit because I know it's
a pretty special relationship.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Yeah, thanks Dennis, that's a great question.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
The Capitals have actually been one of our longest standing partners.
We've been working with them before I took over in
twenty eleven.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
I think our first clinic with them.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Was in two thousand and nine, and every year we
host an adaptive ice hockey clinic with them, which allows
even paraplegic youth who might not be able to walk,
they're able to get on the ice feel the thrill
of being on the ice, fledding, getting pushed around by
a Caps player, and I think for the Caps, the
(09:43):
ones that do come, it's also a nice breadth of air,
fresh air for them to see the impact of them
giving back and also the kids that they the lives that.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
They're change And I think the two that.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
I really want to shout out to our Nick daut
and Charlie Lindgren. They have been super involved with our
organization for the past two years. They always make sure
they have FaceTime with each and every kid at our clinic.
But above that, they try to find different ways, whether
it be sending special invitations to games and doing a
(10:21):
meet and greet after, or volunteering their time with.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Some of our other programs which we're working on.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Having Nick or Charlie come to our vocational building program
and speaking with the youth in that program. It's really
exciting to see them invest in their community and these
kids as well. Some of the other great partners who
work with Washington Spirit. We host an adaptive soccer clinic
with them every year, and I mean they have this
been doing so well. Really excited about our women's soccer team.
(10:52):
But Nicole barn Barney, as she goes by, she has
been working with us for the past few years as
well as an so she'll come to the clinics really
lead the clinic. But above that, she also is an artist,
which I never knew, so we've talked about her possibly
running a virtual art clinic for us. But just more
(11:14):
recently she designed a T shirt that where sales went
back to benefit so gud Sore.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
So that was really.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Different but fun way to get to have her more
involved as well.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
This is a good segue to talk about funding you
because I know what's really important as a nonprofit. But
you've got these organizations and you mentioned two fine ones
with the Capitals and the Spirit. They have wonderful organizations,
great culture. The players are really cool too, as you mentioned.
If somebody has a business that you can have an
event app or if they want to donate money or
(11:47):
they want to be like an annual partner, can we
go through the process about how they reach out to
you and what exactly you're looking for, whether it's hosting
a clinic or being a partner for others, some kind
of an event or a function.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Yes, definitely, we have different ways to get involved, and
I like to also get creative.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
So you can always let me know if.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
What your budget is or you know how you want
to integrate your staff into the clinics. But for the
most part, we have clinics sponsorships or program sponsorships. One
of our title sponsorships which pandemic steriors. One of our
good friends and partners have done for the past two
years is they give to four different clinics each year.
(12:28):
So with that money, we're able to run for clinics.
I believe it's ice, hockey, baseball, prom and soccer that
we can run because of their funding. And that covers
all of the participants and volunteers, all the equipment and supplies,
everything basically for free for the participants and volunteers. And
(12:50):
that's another thing I didn't touch on earlier, but all
of our programming is one hundred percent free.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
We do not charge a single cent.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
We want parents to really come and just feel at ease,
give them a little bit of respite when they're at
our programs as well. But yeah, it just it's a
simple as reaching out to me. We have a sponsor
kit that we can send you. But I think it's
really a conversation because I want to make sure when
you invest in so goods Or that we are also
(13:18):
helping your organization grow too, whether it be through just
volunteer engagement being more active in the community. We want
to make sure it's a good fit between socods or
and the company that is providing that funding.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
We'll give the website a couple of times, which Glinda
is going to do that right now about how to
contact but you know there you can donate through there
in contact Glendon everything. But let's give the website to
everybody and also your socials as well too.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
Yeah, definitely, it's so kidsord dot org. That's s O
K I D S s O A R dot org.
My email is just my name in front of that,
Glenda G. L E N d A at sokitsor dot org.
And yeah, you can just go on there to donate,
to register for any of the programs, and just find
(14:04):
a little bit more information about us too.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
And I'll speak for Glenda that she'll be happy to
take your money. Okay. So yeah, so they could use
it like everybody else. It's hard work out there, man,
it really is.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
It is.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
And I think the one, uh, you know, we just
worked on our strategic plan this past year with our board.
One of the big things I want to focus on
over the next three to five years, it's hiring more
of our graduates, getting them more involved. I know employment
isn't easy for any of us, so if I can
just help out this group with you know, even if
(14:37):
it's part time doing stuff at our clinics, doing registration
or something more involved like performing at our fundraisers. We're
looking to really grow our part time team with our
graduates and hopefully hire another full time staff.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Member as well.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
I love that, and that's the first time I think
that I talked to you. I think you might have
been a staff of one. So you've growed by two
people now, which I think is a huge thing, especially
how hard you work. So you've got to having special
coming up that has to do with skiing, and if
you want to tease at and tell people about what
you're thinking about what you're working on. I know you're excited.
What is it? What's it all about?
Speaker 3 (15:10):
Definitely, we're very excited about taking our first I guess
road trip to a local ski ski facility and setting
up our first ever day long ski clinic. We're working
with a great organization out of Baltimore, and if it
goes well this year, we're really hoping to make it
(15:33):
a longer trip next year, maybe make it overnight where
it's not just doing the skiing, but also doing some
more community activities like maybe karaoke, altogether at night by
the by the fire, really creating a nice weekend where
the parents and their participant or their kids can get
away with us. So it's something we're we're hoping to
(15:57):
offer regularly starting next year. This year's our test run
and it should be around February ninth. We're still affirming
up the details, but very excited to have this come about,
and like you mentioned, we couldn't do without such great partners.
But we're also hoping if you're listening and you have
some ski background and would love to volunteer, we're definitely
(16:20):
open to.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
That as well.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Outside of just the ski trip, we do do water
skiing and tubing every year too, so we're always looking
forward to that clinic. I think, outside of the Capital's
ice hockey clinic, the water sports clinic is one of
our biggest, big events.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
You share, you know, the other thing that you do
that always surprises me, and I'm sure it's surprising some
of our listeners is that you do things that maybe
you think that maybe disabled kids and adults can't do,
and that's just not the case. And I love it
that you're coming up with all these different, really cool
things that people that are able body and don't have
any things that get in the way. I just love
(16:59):
it that you think that way, and that's kind of
the cool thing about the I think the overall mission
is just being active, having fun. We can do it
like everybody else. And that takes me to I'd love
to hear a story or two, because when you and
I have talked over the last couple of two three years,
you always have great stories. And you've been doing this
for a long time now as executive director, and I
imagine there's been a lot of challenges and if anybody
(17:22):
has ever been known to be working in a nonprofit
or know somebody the words, it's just hard work, folks.
It just is, especially when you have a small staff
like Glenda does. But with that said, I imagine that
there are so many families that give you great feedback
or just related do you do with what you do
with your team? Glenn, But maybe since we last talk,
is there anything special, a story or two that stood
out that really touched your heart? Because I know you
(17:42):
know you see some really tough things at times, but
also some really remarkable things. Can you share a story
or two with us?
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Also? I think these parents are such heroes.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
I really want to I want to spotlight this when
we actually interviewed her for the podcast this morning. Her
name's Pierre and her son Kai has been with us
since twenty fifteen.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
She's an incredible mother.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
She lost her daughter, Kay's sister a few years ago,
and just seeing what she has done to change her
life to make sure Kai has the best experience possible
that his sister's death isn't weigh on him has been
so beautiful and just such a message of strength.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
But she came in this morning.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
She's so eloquent, and I think the biggest story from
her is that when Kai first came to us in
twenty fifteen, he was very shy. He was not speaking
at all, he was nonverbal. He'd try the activities, but
he would be overall pretty.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Anxious as well. And it took a few years.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
But it's not just me and touching back on you
know how we talked about just treating them as equals.
You know, she said that the reason Kay's speaking now
is because I just talked to him like I talked
to anyone else.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
And I think that's important.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
I don't think I should change, you know, how I
speak to him no matter what his ability type, and
Pierre said that's been the one saving grace with helping
him really develop his communication skills, but also tapping into
what he likes. So when I taught to him, I
asked him questions. I don't want him to be the
(19:15):
only one asking me questions, but I also ask him
questions about what he likes. And he loves music, he
loves TV, and he is such an incredible wealth of knowledge.
He could probably name who was in a nineteen eighty sitcom,
all of the actors. It's amazing to see. But she
said it's because I asked questions about his life. And
(19:36):
I think that's not just me, but also the volunteer,
some of our board members that he even Kai said
this morning on the podcast that he's always remembered treated
him so kindly. Kyle our board member, Rachel our past
board chair. We always spoke to him like he was
a peer, and that's what his mom, Pierre said, has
(19:57):
really helped him communicate. And now he can't talking or
asking questions, and it's such a touching story, and given
what they've gone through over the last few years, it
makes me happy that she feels like we are a
safe place for her.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
That's so good sore is her family.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
You know, I'm glad you share that because it must
be an emotional journey, whether it's good or bad, of
what you see and what you do every day with
these families, knowing that they have some real struggles behind
the scenes. But I got to tell you, it's pretty
extraordinary that you worked with somebody who's nonverbal, and with
your hard work and your dedication and your love for
these families and these young adults, they are verbal now.
(20:38):
And I always ask people in this series about, you know,
what makes you get up every day and what kind
of turns you on. And it's a story like that
that I imagine, I know, you've got to keep on
moving because it's things are going quickly and you just
have to but you might have to just sit back
for a couple minutes because I know you have your
own family too, that it just must be extraordinary when
things like that happen, and just I mean, there's no
(20:59):
better words, the miraculous. My goodness.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
Yeah, it's it's so incredible.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
And he will he's starting to also just take social cues,
which I think is also developmentally something that is harder
to work on when you have different abilities, but he's
been really great at Like earlier today, when it was
his mom's turn to speak on the podcast, I told Kai,
I will hold your hand when it's your mom's turn
(21:24):
to speak, and you just have to take a pause.
And he understood that internalized and every time I held
his hand while we were recording, he stopped talking and
let his mom speak. It was it was really really
wonderful to see the impact we have on their family.
But a lot of that is his mom too.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Yeah, no doubt. I just I'm sure that she said,
you know, thank thank goodness for London her team to
bring this out, but it's just extortiny. So I'm glad
you shared that with us. I know when you talk
about the upcleaning, upcoming clinics, uh, you know when you
go on the website, which we'll give again, there's ways
to easily register. So if anybody's wondering, and I just
maybe you can take them through that, Glinda that you
(22:02):
know everything is on there, from you know what you do,
to the different programs and getting involved. I know a
media in a big fat red donate button that I
want everybody to take a look at head but when
you go on there, you can actually register online. So
everything's pretty accessible for families just to check out, write
and sign up and register.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Yep, there is next to that big red donate button,
I added a big red newsletter.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
I saw that.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
Yeah, yeah, so that is also the best way to
stay up to date on the programs that are coming
out on the registration site.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
And honestly, we in.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
Our newsletters we started spotlighting other ways to support our family.
So if you can't necessarily come out to a clinic
or a program, we will showcase some of where our
graduates work.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
So, for instance, over the holiday.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
Break, my board member Jay and I visited one of
our graduates, Olivia, who works at biddim Bo's in Annapolis.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
If you ever go out there. As for Olivia, she
she's a very so there.
Speaker 3 (23:01):
But yeah, in our newsletter, will spotlight other things that
are coming up. Kai just helped curate the music for
this Quansa celebration at the Kennedy Center two weeks three
weeks ago, So those are the kind of things will
spotlight also on the news that are outside of just
the registrations.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
One of the cool things that you do and I
kind of started off our conversation with this is about
social media and for a very small team, you guys
are really active and do a great job. I see
everything that you do, especially in IG stories. That's that's
the best part because I see all the video of
the cool things that you guys do, so families, if
you're wondering what Glenna and her team are doing, you
(23:38):
actually get to see it in real time, and it
is extensive. It's cool and fun. But the reason why
I bring that up is that I think people always
want to say, well, I want to see the proof
of the pudd and what's Glinna really doing with everybody?
And you're active and you're busy, So I'm just I
wanted to give you kudos to you and your team
that you're doing that, because I know we live in
a social media era right now, but you really do
it extensively to show all the families and everybody, Hey,
(24:00):
we're busy, we do a lot of fun and you
get to see it in real time. I just love
that you do that.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Thank you, Jess.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
You're like, you're one of our biggest supporters on social media.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Yes, I am. Yeah, I see the likes, I always
see the heart. Yeah, I think it's important.
Speaker 3 (24:14):
You know, we still, even though we have a lot
of families in our network, I know there's still more
that we have not touched yet. So you know, I
appreciate you bringing that up, and hopefully more people can
follow us, share our message, our mission, and our programs
so that we can hopefully gather more families into our
network over the next few years too. You know, we
(24:37):
love to deepen our connections to just a disability community.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
In this area.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
Even though we've been operating since two thousand and nine
and I've been doing this since twenty eleven, I still
feel like there's families out there that don't know about us.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Yeah, and that's why we're talking to you. So iHeart
can be a bit of a megaphone for so kids
sore and what you do. We only have about five
minutes left, so before we do kind of a recap
of our conver station. We talked about the skin that's
coming up. But is there anything that is percolating in
twenty twenty five that you think you might want to
do or that parents said, hey, why don't you do this?
Is there something that maybe you're thinking about that might
(25:11):
be exciting that you're just kind of working with an
idea now that you would like to do in twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Well, the podcast just to shine some light on that.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Again, we're very excited about Michael as our graduate who
came up with the idea.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
He designed the cover.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
For the I guess the podcast cover for when we
put it up on the sites, but he will.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
Be editing producing it.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
We just record our first to two episodes.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Give us some grace our first time doing this.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
I don't know how you do this all the time, Dennis,
It's really it.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Takes a lot of talent.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
But we were hopefully going to put out at least
one episode every month, and we will involve some of
our some of those players I talked about before, we're
hoping to have them come on with Michael interviewing them.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
And then outside the Ski Trip.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
We we are hoping to just have another full year
of programs.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
I think the Ski Trip and.
Speaker 3 (26:05):
The podcast are the two biggest exciting things for twenty
twenty five, but we are also working on I think
our prom every year is a big hit. So and
we partner with Saint Albans on that event. We're hoping
to create something prom like for the summer for later
(26:27):
in the summer as well, more of like a social mixer.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
So that will be a new project for us.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
But the neat thing about that is our programs Anna Skierra,
who's a.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Graduate of ours.
Speaker 3 (26:39):
She will be the one really taking the lead on it,
and I'm just going to be sitting on the sideline.
So I'm more excited for her to take it on
and see all of her dreams come to fruition with that.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Just to be factual what I've seen, Glenna really doesn't
really sit on any sideline. She's always active doing something,
so she's being generous about that. But that's very kind
of you to say when it comes to her and
what she's doing. So let's do this. We only have
about a couple minutes left. I want to kind of
recap everybody with the website, registering, signing up, what's available
(27:10):
to them, the criteria, what people can do, and what
you're working on. So the floor is yours, clind to
go ahead, Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Well.
Speaker 3 (27:18):
First off, our website is so kidssore dot org.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
You can find my email on there as well.
Speaker 3 (27:24):
Please reach out if you have any questions, but you
can register for all of our programs there, whether you're
a participant, a parent, or a volunteer. You can also
donate there, sign up for our newsletter there. That's where
all of our information really comes out, and it's biweekly.
And then outside of that, we run pretty much a
different clinic, a different activity every month for kids to
(27:47):
try out new skill or just work on ones that
they might have. We also have a holiday program at
the end of every year where our.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Participants give back to the community.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
And finally, we have a vocational building program called Your
Past Success. Those applications go out in May, so if
you're interested, please just send me a message.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
We're looking for at least five, but up to ten awesome.
Speaker 3 (28:12):
Young adults with special abilities that want to take hold
of their future. And yeah, I think that's the whole spiel,
but thank you so much, Dennis.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
Well, you're welcomer. And then and then also we do
want to remind people that you're still looking for volunteers
and also anybody that wants to donate, building their time
or be a part of a clinic, you're also taking
those two. We want to make sure that that's available
to people to reach out to you for that too.
Speaker 3 (28:36):
Right, Definitely, everything no idea is a poor idea. So
if there's any way you'd like to contribute, it doesn't
have to just be with money, although we welcome donations.
But if you have a facility, equipment, or you just
have knowledge in some activity like skiing or you know,
water skiing or music, we'd love to engage you in
(28:59):
some way. So yeah, please reach out. We'd love to
have you grow with us and volunteer.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
All right, outstanding Glen and she's all doing this, folks,
with balancing her own crazy household too, so imagine what
that's like on a three person nonprofit team. And then
your own family is an incredible as a dad, and
I have a twenty two year old. Now, I've been
through it, but I haven't had multiple kids. But my gosh,
Glinda is working and burning the midnight oil. Everybody. It's
nice to catch up with you again because I know
(29:27):
we talk about every six months. I'm glad that the
organization continues to grow. I know it's a lot of
hard work, but as I watch you on social media,
I see just all the amazing cool things that you
and your team are doing, and your incredible partners like
the Capitals and the Washington Spirit and many others that
we haven't mentioned that either donate their time, they volunteer,
or they have a facility. I know that everybody's been
(29:48):
very generous and that's due to your hard work and
forging these great relationships. So continue success. Thank you so much.
We'll check in with you during the summertime, and we
really appreciate you joining us on Community DC.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Yes, thank you so much. Javis
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