Community Life: Religious Resources (Parents/Family Members)

The College Success Program for Students Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder provides targeted support, practical knowledge, and cultural awareness to students living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is designed to maximize students’ potential as they live and learn within a caring Christian community.

The Disabilities Inclusion Learning Center is made possible by a partnership between the Union for Reform Judaism and the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Reform professionals, lay leaders, youth, clergy, educators and congregants are invited to use the study sessions and resources on this site to develop additional skills, strategies and understanding to make possible the full participation of people with disabilities in early childhood education, B’nai Mitzvah, youth group, congregational trips, worship and every other area of congregational life.

Available to Jewish students ages 6-18 with various special needs. The classes will teach Jewish history, culture, holidays, blessings, Israel and bible stories. Hebrew will be taught by ability, and the program is run by special education professionals along with teen aides.

Through the Roof Ministry offers a special service called Take A Break, which is a respite event for the families of a child (ages 6+) or adult with disabilities. Take A Break provides 4 hours of free time for families to do whatever they want – whether taking in a movie, going shopping, or going out to dinner – providing these families with a way to rejuvenate and recharge their batteries. Call the contact phone number to be placed on the waiting list.

Meets on one Saturday each month from 5 PM to 9 PM in the Activity Center. See dates below.

This evening event at Grace Church is for children, teens and adults ages 6 and over with disabilities.

Dates for 2018
January 13 May 5 September 8
February 3 June 2 October 6
March 3 July 7 November 3
April 7 August 4

This is a new online resource designed to provide hands-on training guidance and support for camp staff seeking to create or expand inclusion programs.

It is designed for use by camp directors, inclusion specialists, directors of a disabilities camping program, counselors, or activity specialists. It offers basic information on the history of disabilities camping, models of camping for people with disabilities, benefits of camping for both campers with disabilities and the typical camp community, overviews of various disabilities, and many useful tools and program ideas for day-to-day work with campers.

JFSA is guided by traditional Jewish values of communal responsibility and social justice. They offer several programs to assist teens and adults with disabilities with residential services, employment services, community inclusion, and family advocacy.

The Horvitz YouthAbility program offers volunteering and job training opportunities for disabled and at-risk youth and young adults.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services help people prepare for employment based on their skills and interests.
Adult Day Program offers group and individual day respite activities.

Offers a wide range of training and resources for pastors, volunteers and ministry leaders who seek to service families affected with disabilities.

Also hosts free respite services for families through various churches.

Welcoming Christian church services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their friends, family and other supports.

Services are held in two different locations in the Cleveland Area:
1st Saturday of each month, 5:30pm:
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church — Hudson

3rd Saturday of each month, 5:30 pm:
First United Methodist Church – Cuyahoga Falls

Overall Program Brochure

RISE is a support group that encourages and supports family members living with a loved one with a disability. They enourage learning from each other and from experts, and offers spiritual inspiration and practical tools to use at home.

Childcare is provided at support group meetings, with a suggested donation of $1 per child.

Assists families in placing disabled children into Jewish day schools in the Cleveland area.
SEGULA also provides special education teachers, equipment and trained aides to support those children.

Pairs teenage volunteers and children with special needs for social opportunities.
There are several programs, including social activities, respite services, parent support events, a sibling support group, an Asperger’s family support group, and winter camps.

VIP supports and encourages children, siblings, families and individuals challenged by disabilities. It provides an appropriate and supportive Christian setting for children and students with special needs so parents can comfortably attend worship.

Kids can be placed in the traditional Grace Church POWER Kids with one-on-one assistance, as needed (VIP Buddy Ministry), or participate in a special classroom (VIP POWER Kids) that includes a higher ratio of teachers and helpers. This program is for children ages 5 and up.

Grace Church also offers a monthly support group and a quarterly respite VIP Night Out for parents.

Visit the Grace Church website or search our Event Calendar for upcoming meeting dates.

A list of various guides and reading materials available that can help people with autism adapt to religious services, including:

Social stories for children about attending religious services
Advice of different strategies for families
A video tour of the mass experience
Articles relating autism and the religious experience

The list also includes resources for religious leaders on inclusion for members with autism and their families.