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The Teddy Bear Brigade was started over 9 years ago
by 2 moms whose children had special needs and who could see firsthand
the loneliness that many such children have experienced as they
get older. They wanted to help these children learn to make friends
and to enjoy playing games with each other in order to give them
the brightest future possible.
They found experienced teachers in Special Education
who were willing to volunteer their time once a month in preparing
and carrying out a 2 hour class which would include sensory motor
activities, songs, games, snacks and social time–as well as
outside time–for the children in their age group.
This wasn't all. They also wanted the parents to play
an active part in the program, providing ideas to help make the
classes as meaningful and fun as possible for their children. And
be able to meet with other parents thus creating our support group.
Our ideas
come mostly from the parents in our group. Professionals are
available to speak on what the families are interested in, such
as I.E.P. process, child care, inclusion and many more topics
of concern.
The Teddy Bear Brigade provides sensory motor
activities, singing, games and a fun time for all special needs
children ages 3 through 13. Please see our special
needs page
for more information.
We also offer Mom's
Night Out 3rd Tuesday night of each month and Dad's
Night Out 4th Tuesday night of each month.
Mrs. Sheila Burtosky and JoAnne Getman, both mothers
of children with special needs, started the group in September of
2002. Melissa Berenstein and her husband joined the Brigade to organize
very exciting social activities for parents. Caroline Ross is our
advisor from Rainbow Connection who runs our support group for the
parents.
The Teddy Bear Brigade is under the wing of Rainbow Connection
Family Resource Center in Oxnard/Simi and meets at the Emmanuel
Presbyterian Church of Thousand Oaks in the freshly renovated classrooms.
In 2009 Susan Moritz became director of the Teddy Bear Brigade
Program. Julie Marsh is our teacher with Sandy Fitzgerald as assistant
teacher. Caroline ross is our Facilitator for the parents.
Parents need to register their children
ages 3 through 13 years.
Our program meets every third Saturday from 1
till 3 p.m.
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