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Start a Buddy Break

What is Buddy Break?

Start or Expand Your Special Needs Ministry

Buddy Break is a FREE Parents’ Day Out/respite program where kids with all types of special needs (VIP kids) have FUN while their parents get a BREAK. At Buddy Break, VIP kids and their siblings make new friends, play games, do crafts, hear children’s stories, enjoy music, and more! Meanwhile, parents get a break from their ongoing care-giving responsibilities, usually for three hours on a Friday night or Saturday morning. 

Watch the video below to learn how God uses Buddy Break to bless VIPs and their parents…

At Buddy Break:

Kids have FUN.

On Sunday mornings, your goal is to fit these VIP kids into your more structured program. At Buddy Break, activities are designed to meet the unique needs of VIP kids. It’s a place where they can experience the love of Christ, feel loved and accepted, and find a place to belong.

Parents get a BREAK.

Raising a child with special needs can be overwhelming. Caregivers and families of VIP kids are often isolated in a difficult life they did not choose, with more demands, daily stresses, little resources, and support than a “typical” family. Opportunities to get a break are rate, yet desperately needed to survive. Buddy Break provides VIP kids, and siblings, a safe place to have fun, so that their caregivers get a much-needed break.

Volunteers are TRAINED.

Recruiting and equipping volunteers can be challenging! People are fearful of what they don’t understand. Buddy Break is a great place to give your volunteers hands-on training with VIP kids as they have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and explore ways to work with these special kids. While your primary concern may be to build your Sunday morning team, Buddy Break can help you recruit and equip your volunteers and then use them anytime. IT WORKS! Volunteer Buddies must be at least 14 years of age, complete a 2-hour Buddy Training 101 program, and agree to have a background check run. No previous experience necessary!

Community is REACHED.

Buddy Break is a great local missions outreach that shows your community that you care! It will give your congregation a tangible way to reach families impacted by disability with the love of Christ as you offer that practical “cup of cold water.”

Buddy Break can be customized to fit your church’s size and facilities, and will be here to assist you every step of the way!

Your church can join our national network!

Nathaniel’s Hope partners with churches across the nation to start Buddy Break, a monthly Parents’ Day Out/respite program for kids with special needs (VIPs) and their siblings.

Get trained ONLINE!

We give you all the tools you need to execute Buddy Break. It’s turn-key and we’re with you every step of the way.

On-demand training now available!!!

Hear what one pastor has to say about Buddy Break…

Benefits to joining the Buddy Break Network:

  • Training for your Leadership Team and Volunteer Buddies
  • Tools to make Buddy Break a safe and sustainable ministry
  • Full access to all Buddy Break promotional materials
  • Quarterly leadership call-ins
  • Ongoing coaching and support
  • Membership in our national network

 

Our Network:                                        Buddy Break Start-Up Kit:

                 

Ready to get started??? There are 2 ways to join…

 

REGISTER FOR TRAINING NOW!

Want to Volunteer at Buddy Break?

Be a Volunteer Buddy at a local Buddy Break. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

  1. Find a Buddy Break location near you (Click here)
  2. Contact that location’s coordinator and schedule a time to go through a Buddy orientation!
  3. Register as a Volunteer Buddy HERE

 

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Our programs are FREE to VIP kids and their families BECAUSE OF the generosity of people like YOU.

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