Buddy Break-Respite in McHenry County

A free respite opportunity for parents of children who have physical, cognitive, medical or other disabilities, a chronic or life-threatening illness, or are medically fragile, and their siblings

Options and Advocacy and First Church of Crystal Lake will be hosting Buddy Break on March 12 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at First Church Crystal Lake, 236 W. Crystal Lake Ave, in Crystal Lake.

Buddy Break-Nathaniel’s Hope is a free children’s respite program where caregivers get a break from their caregiving responsibilities and kids with special needs ( called VIPs in this program) and their siblings make new friends, play games, enjoy crafts, stories, music and activities, and have fun.

Buddy Break is for VIPs between the ages of 2 – 16 who:

• Have a physical, cognitive, medical or other hidden disability
• Have a chronic or life-threatening illness
• Are medically fragile

Siblings ages 4 to 11 are also invited to attend.

Each child is assigned a trained “buddy” to be by their side for three hours of one-to-one attention and kid-centered activities.

VIPS and siblings are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for each session. To register or for more information, please visit www.firstchurchcl.org/buddybreak or contact:

• Karen Klaus at (815) 459-0785, ext. 124
• Susan Perkins at (815) 477-4720, ext. 255, or susan.perkins@opad.org

A Buddy Break session is also scheduled at First Church Crystal Lake on April 30. A camp day is being planned for June 25.