The REACHIN’ OUT program was established because many children who are affected by illness, disaster or economic hardship often lack on-going contact with individuals outside their immediate family structure.   It is the goal of the program to not only provide a birthday gift, but to offer on-going correspondence with the child in need.

The Reachin’ Out Program is a two-tiered program.  First, children registered in the program will receive personalized cards and gifts on their birthday.  In addition to the birthday component, the children of the Reachin’ Out Program, will receive a monthly letter or cards via the US Mail from children in their respective age group.

The birthday gifts will be age appropriate and the children who are signed up in the program will be able to identify personal preferences through the Sade’s Wish secured website.  The toys that are selected for their birthdays will not exceed $20 in cost.  The organization will secure in-kind donations whenever possible.

The children who participate in this program will be identified through local and national partners and all information shall remain confidential.  All mailings will come out of the Sade’s Wish offices to assure appropriateness and safety.

The monthly mailing of cards and letters will be directed through Sade’s Wish offices with the assistance of volunteers from local schools.  The volunteers (students) will not know specifically who they are writing to, but will have enough information on each child’s age and background to correspond.  Mailings will be scheduled so that a child receives his or her card/letter at approximately the same date each month.

Anticipated Launch Date:  January 2012

SADE’S BUDDY BAGS will provide bags or backpacks stocked with fun and useful age-appropriate items to 250 children who are hospitalized for extended periods, confined to their homes or need assistance returning to school.

All children/youth in this program will be identified via our local partners.  Whenever possible, items for the bags will be obtained through in-kind donations.  The bags/ backpacks will be delivered to the identified local partners by a team of volunteers.  If the bags/backpacks are to be sent outside the Chicago area, they will be shipped via UPS (or other carrier).

Sade’s Buddy Bags  for those children in need of school supplies may include the following:

• Back Pack
• Crayons
• Glue
• Library pass
• Gift Card
• Notebooks
• Pencils
• Pens

Sade’s Buddy Bags for children impacted by illness, disaster or economic hardship may contain the following:

• Duffel Bag
• Calling Card (sponsor)
• Coloring Book
• Grocery Gift Card (sponsor)
• Hand Held Game (sponsor)
• Journal
• Pen
• Stuffed animal
• Toy
• T-Shirt

Anticipated Program Launch:   November 2011

SMILE PARTIES

This program will be a series of parties that are held throughout the year for children affected by illness, disaster or economic hardship.  All parties will be organized in cooperation with the Kids2Kids Giving Back Council and guided by the Executive Director and a core group of adult volunteers.

The purpose of these events will be twofold:  1. To provide a safe atmosphere for children affected by illness, disaster or economic hardship to interact, have fun and experience the joys of childhood; 2. To offer these children and their families a nutritious meal and, when appropriate, provide a bag of groceries and/or food certificates for families to take home.

ANTICIPATED LAUNCH DATE:  Spring 2012

SUMMER DREAM SCHOLARSHIPS

This program will offer scholarship assistance in year one for 40 children and youth who receive services from Sade’s Wish so that they may participate in a summer camp experience.  The summer camp experience will be identified and secured through contacts with local and national partners relating to their specific needs.

ANTICIPATED LAUNCH DATE:  Spring 2012

KIDS2KIDS JUNIOR BOARD

At the heart of all programming for Sade’s Wish will be the Kids2Kids Junior Board.  The goal of this program is to recruit 75 youth and young adults to serve as Sade’s Wish Volunteers (including members of a Junior Board).

Through training and education, the youth on the Kids2Kids Junior Board will develop philanthropic/community service curriculum to help Volunteers learn as they organize and execute Sade’s Wish programs.

The Kids2Kids Junior will have direct service with all programming for Sade’s Wish as well as learn how to solicit funds and in-kind contributions.  The time commitment required will be for no less than 2 years and will include training and workshops on areas directly related to youth and philanthropy.  The Kids2Kids Giving Back Council will be directed by the Executive Director who has extensive knowledge and experience in working on behalf and with youth.