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Unicorn Children's Foundation is dedicated to creating cradle to career pathways for kids and young adults with developmental or learning challenges and helping their families navigate the complex journey. Neurodiversity encompasses a range of neurologically-based disorders such as autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, bipolar, dyslexia, and other learning disorders. We have chosen to view these disorders from a different perspective by seeing each child as uniquely capable and talented with specific strengths and interests that should be cultivated. In essence, every individual, regardless of his/her “disability”, deserves an opportunity to lead a fulfilled and productive life.

Miracle League's mission is to provide opportunities for all children to play baseball regardless of their ability. For over 10 years, the Miracle League Association has made it possible for children all over the country with physical and mental disabilities to achieve the same dream as their healthy peers - to play ball. The field is complete with a cushioned synthetic turf to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts, and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers to the wheelchair bound or visually impaired players. The Miracle League is a non-profit (501) c (3) organization.

The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization #20-1702191 is dedicated to honoring the life of our inspiration, Jimmy Miller, by supporting the healing of mental and physical illness through surfing and ocean related activities. Through recreational, education, and mentoring programs, the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation enables surfers, educators, therapists, lifeguards and friends to help people affected by mental and physical illness feel the joy and healing power of the ocean and surfing. JMMF pioneered the formation of an adaptive surfing program titled Ocean Therapy, where surfing is used as a means to increase self-esteem and self-efficacy in individuals suffering from mental and/or physical illness. The Ocean Therapy program is currently working with at risk children in the Los Angeles foster care community, veterans from all branches of the military and injured Marines in the Wounded Warrior Battalion in Camp Pendleton. We are looking to expand our programming to the addiction/recovery populations, victims and survivors of mass public and terrorist attacks, those suffering from suicidal ideation and anxiety, depression and other mental health illnesses.

The mission of Variety of Illinois is to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities by providing the equipment and experiences needed to reach their highest potential. This is accomplished through programs such as Variety at Play, offering inclusive, accessible activities for the whole family, Kids on the Go that provides mobility equipment not covered by insurance for children with physical limitations, and Live to Achieve that encourages participation & excellence in adaptive sports. Through a network of 44 chapters in 13 countries, Variety the Children’s Charity envisions a state where all children can actively participate in their communities and experience the joys that come with being a kid! Learn more at www.varietyofillinois.org.

Lift Me Up! is a therapeutic horseback riding program dedicated to providing safe and effective instruction for children and adults who have varying disabilities. We teach riding skills adapted to each rider’s cognitive and physical needs. By combining the unique and special presence of our therapy horses and the skills and or our caring registered instructors Lift Me Up! helps hundreds students gain confidence, strength and self-esteem in our friendly, fun environment. Riding at Lift Me Up! helps our students to sit and stand unassisted, walk independently, improve their focus and attention span and enhance their social and communication skills.

We believe that by working together, residents can improve the social, economic and physical conditions of their community. Since its inception in 1993, BT has united thousands of people around multiple community issues, including housing, education, healthcare, safety, city services, and youth programming. Our goals are to: increase the community's capacity to take action to address important issues; challenge members to develop skills to advocate for their community and themselves; address the root causes of poverty and inequality in the community; create neighborhood stability by ensuring that needed resources are invested in the community; and include all people regardless of class, race, age, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.

Established with the mission of serving children of all abilities, the Joseph Maley Foundation inspires individuals to accept and serve others. JMF encompasses seven programs that serve the whole child and those who directly affect the child, including parents, siblings, friends, educators, health professionals, and community leaders. Our programs impart: Disability awareness to schools and organizations; Mental, physical, and emotional health understanding to children; IEP and special education advocacy to connect families and educators; Sibling workshops which provide an environment to discuss shared experiences; Adaptive and inclusive athletics to all children; Service-learning opportunities for individuals within their community; Acceptance of all through puppets in a relaxed environment for conversation; Comfort to parents navigating infant loss.

KIT's vision is that EVERY child can realize their full potential in a welcoming, inclusive community. We teach inclusive practices and behavior support so that no child is excluded. We believe that all kids benefit from inclusion. We believe that anyone can be inclusive. We can teach them how. KIT has delivered best-in-class disability inclusion and behavior support training to schools and community-based youth programs in 48 states and 13 counties. We've served over 100K individuals working in more than 600 organizations, so that to date over 5M kids have been included. You can help us make sure that every child, regardless of ability, has access and opportunity to realize their full potential.

Community TV Network (CTVN) teaches cutting-edge digital video production to low-income youth throughout Chicago. We promote positive youth and community development with the overall goal of raising the educational success and economic viability of the neighborhoods where our youth participants live and work. Since1974, we have used video as an art form and educational tool to improve the opportunities available to low-income African-American and Latino youth in Chicago. In 1980, we incorporated as an independent, tax exempt nonprofit and have emerged as an innovative leader in youth media. Our media literacy curriculum empowers youth with a platform of self representation while cultivating academic and job skills, self-esteem, community awareness and intellectual curiosity. Over 9,500 of Chicago's at-risk youth have participated in CTVN's media literacy programs, creating insightful videos for their peers and leaving behind a rich legacy. The nearly 500 videos that make up our media library form a vibrant digital catalogue composed of authentic youth voices. The library serves as a valuable teaching resource and offers rarely-seen histories of Chicago communities. Every year, our youth producers add to this unique collection, producing dozens of videos that are broadcast in Chicago and New York City, streamed online, and screened in film festivals throughout the U.S.

Wolf Connection is the howl that opens your heart, awakens your mind and transforms your life. With a unique focus on Wolf Therapy, they facilitate restorative human-animal communication worldwide. Wolf Connection is a wolf sanctuary that empowers all beings to believe in their worthiness, their inner capacity for personal growth, and the power of the pack. In order to accomplish this, they implement multifaceted programs in close interaction with rescued wolves. A powerful doorway is opened for participants to discover self-confidence and purpose; a feeling of being seen and accepted; and a sense of oneness with themselves and their community. Wolf Connection engages generations of humans to connect with their resilience and inherent roles in the ecosystem by offering life-changing programs, in-person and virtually. They provide an enriching sanctuary for rescued wolves, who give voice to their wild brothers and sisters. Wolf Connection engages in meaningful conversations and provides education around human potential, wolves, and the natural world, creating an impactful worldwide contribution. Located in the mountains above Los Angeles, the 165-acre ranch facility serves as a safe haven and home to rescued wolves who have been subjected to illegal ownership, abandonment and abuse. They give one-of-a-kind care and enrichment to the pack, who become ambassadors of hope to all who witness them. Since 2009, they have worked with students from expulsion schools, foster care organizations, probation camps, veterans and anti-recidivism groups and offer an immersive program for female-identifying adults. Bringing humans and wolves together for the benefit of all.  

The Center for Community Alternatives (CCA), founded in 1981, is a leader in community-based alternatives to incarceration and policy advocacy to reduce reliance on incarceration. We provide direct services to communities in New York City, Syracuse and Rochester, engaging approximately 2,500 youth and adults annually who would otherwise be incarcerated. The great majority of our participants are African-American or Latino/a and come from poor or low-income communities. In addition to direct services, CCA works to bring about a more just and humane criminal justice system. We have achieved success in persuading the State Legislature to adopt "reintegration" as a goal of sentencing; in reforming New York's drug laws; and in realigning New York's juvenile justice system so that more youth are placed in programs in their home communities, rather than detention or incarceration. We are currently leading a national campaign to reduce barriers to college admission for people with criminal records. In an average year, CCA successfully diverts 100 adults and as many juveniles from costly incarceration, saving New York State millions of dollars. Our work reduces the collateral consequences of incarceration, strengthens families and builds safer communities. CCA serves people in trouble: youth at risk; families in crisis; people struggling to address drug and alcohol problems and HIV and AIDS; and people who have been involved in the criminal justice system who are seeking community reintegration and productive, law-abiding lives. CCA endeavors to address these issues by emphasizing personal empowerment, self-respect and concern for one's community.

If you want to directly impact the life of a child struggling with mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities like autism, please consider a gift to Ocean Partnership for Children. Our mission is to enhance the well-being of youth and their families through natural and community supports. That means that we use a team approach to help our kids succeed, overcome challenges, and achieve their dreams and goals. Ocean Partnership for Children is THE NJ Children's System of Care designated care management organization (CMO) in Ocean County, NJ. We help over 1,000 youth every day, keeping them at home, in school and in the community where they can thrive. We use an innovative and successful approach that focuses on the youth's strengths, instead of their struggles. Our wraparound approach means we wrap services (in-home counseling, behavioral support, and other supports) around that youth and family. Because of our dedicated care coordination, over 90% of our youth are successful in their community!