My son Hayden has autism and he was fortunate to receive wonderful special education services while in school. However, transitioning from school to adulthood has been very difficult. The adult special needs community is often forgotten and pushed aside.
The Special Needs Prom evolved from the “Butterfly Ball.” Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding ,the Butterfly Ball was going to be discontinued following the 2012 event. Being a mother of a child with autism who witnessed first-hand the amazing power of the event, I decided we would continue the annual prom with the help of my friend Mindy Kemper. In 2019, we became a 501 C3 nonprofit organization.
2019 prom, we had over 800 very special individuals from communities throughout Indiana. We were planning on over 1,000 for the 2020 event but the event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
The annual special needs prom is not our only community event or service. In conjunction with the Special Prom, we have a “Say Yes to the Dress” Dress party for the girls. This event allows girls to come and select a prom dress and all the necessary accessories for free. In addition, we have worked closely with local tuxedo rentals to ensure the boys in attendance can rent a tuxedo for the big even at no or minimal cost to them.
We provide monthly services to individuals within the special needs community such as haircuts for children with autism who attend the Hillcroft ABA clinic. Another monthly service is Spa Night in which adults with special needs can receive a haircut, shave, style, manicures and massages all by volunteers who are licensed and trained professionals.
Our most recent program is Dream Nest. This is a program in which our staff coordinates and creates bedroom and home renovations for special needs individuals both children and adults. Dream Nest takes into account individual’s interest as well as sensory needs in creating their very own Dream Nest. In 2019, our project included renovating an entire supported living home for four very special people.
Other programs and support services we provide include the annual Harvest Hoedown, Trunk or Treat Movie Night and Roll into New Year Bowling Party. All of these events bring a sense of belonging and acceptance to these amazing individuals. In addition, we welcome volunteers within our community for all of our events in order to educate, inspire and communicate the importance of acceptance and inclusion for the community. Our organization is not exclusive to Delaware County as we provide services and support throughout Indiana.
We cannot forget these special people who teach us so much about life, love, acceptance and for the special needs community.
This is our passion!
My name is Mindy Kemper and I have boy/girl twins that both have special needs. We were invited to our first Special Needs prom in 2015. I remember walking into the prom and being amazed at how wonderful everything was. We had no idea what to expect and it far exceeded our expectations. There was a feeling of total acceptance like we have never felt before. Every parent wants their child to experience the same things as other children, to have the same opportunities. Our goal is for these special needs individuals and their families to experience what so many take for granted. We want to offer events that allow these individuals with special needs something where they can come and just be themselves and not worry about what society might think. We want to offer a feeling of acceptance, security, positivity and genuine love and support. We want our events to allow these individuals a be in a safe place where they can bring down any walls that they face on a daily basis. No one person stands out in a crowd instead they are equal with their peers. Parents can relax and enjoy themselves while watching their loved one having the best time.
I left that night in 2015 excited for the next prom. It was that night that the fire within began. I was on a mission to get involved with the prom and reached out to Lynne to see how I could help. The next year I helped with decorations and it was amazing, then the next year I did a little more. Lynne and I share the same passion to do as much as possible for these incredible individuals and our community. When we became a 501c3 it allowed us to expand and include more volunteers to make this prom and our other events as special as possible. We wanted others to be able to experience that same need that we have to be involved. The outpouring of support from people that give their time, donations from individuals and businesses, donations of dresses and accessories has been amazing. What we offer is so much more than just for these special needs individuals, it is just as much for the families and the volunteers that witness the magic of what we provide. Someone once told me that “they didn’t know what they were missing in their life until they volunteered at our prom”. We encourage everyone to be a part of our events. We guarantee that it will touch you in ways that were not expected. To see the joy, smiles, hugs and the laughs will forever be a cherished memory.
About
My son Hayden has autism and he was fortunate to receive wonderful special education services while in school. However, transitioning from school to adulthood has been very difficult. The adult special needs community is often forgotten and pushed aside.
The Special Needs Prom evolved from the “Butterfly Ball.” Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding ,the Butterfly Ball was going to be discontinued following the 2012 event. Being a mother of a child with autism who witnessed first-hand the amazing power of the event, I decided we would continue the annual prom with the help of my friend Mindy Kemper. In 2019, we became a 501 C3 nonprofit organization.
2019 prom, we had over 800 very special individuals from communities throughout Indiana. We were planning on over 1,000 for the 2020 event but the event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
The annual special needs prom is not our only community event or service. In conjunction with the Special Prom, we have a “Say Yes to the Dress” Dress party for the girls. This event allows girls to come and select a prom dress and all the necessary accessories for free. In addition, we have worked closely with local tuxedo rentals to ensure the boys in attendance can rent a tuxedo for the big even at no or minimal cost to them.
We provide monthly services to individuals within the special needs community such as haircuts for children with autism who attend the Hillcroft ABA clinic. Another monthly service is Spa Night in which adults with special needs can receive a haircut, shave, style, manicures and massages all by volunteers who are licensed and trained professionals.
Our most recent program is Dream Nest. This is a program in which our staff coordinates and creates bedroom and home renovations for special needs individuals both children and adults. Dream Nest takes into account individual’s interest as well as sensory needs in creating their very own Dream Nest. In 2019, our project included renovating an entire supported living home for four very special people.
Other programs and support services we provide include the annual Harvest Hoedown, Trunk or Treat Movie Night and Roll into New Year Bowling Party. All of these events bring a sense of belonging and acceptance to these amazing individuals. In addition, we welcome volunteers within our community for all of our events in order to educate, inspire and communicate the importance of acceptance and inclusion for the community. Our organization is not exclusive to Delaware County as we provide services and support throughout Indiana.
We cannot forget these special people who teach us so much about life, love, acceptance and for the special needs community.
This is our passion!
My
name is Mindy Kemper and I have boy/girl twins that both have special needs. We were invited to our first Special Needs prom in 2015. I remember walking into the prom and being amazed at how wonderful everything was. We had no idea what to expect and it far exceeded our expectations. There was a feeling of total acceptance like we have never felt before. Every parent wants their child to experience the same things as other children, to have the same opportunities. Our goal is for these special needs individuals and their families to experience what so many take for granted. We want to offer events that allow these individuals with special needs something where they can come and just be themselves and not worry about what society might think. We want to offer a feeling of acceptance, security, positivity and genuine love and support. We want our events to allow these individuals a be in a safe place where they can bring down any walls that they face on a daily basis. No one person stands out in a crowd instead they are equal with their peers. Parents can relax and enjoy themselves while watching their loved one having the best time.
I left that night in 2015 excited for the next prom. It was that night that the fire within began. I was on a mission to get involved with the prom and reached out to Lynne to see how I could help. The next year I helped with decorations and it was amazing, then the next year I did a little more. Lynne and I share the same passion to do as much as possible for these incredible individuals and our community. When we became a 501c3 it allowed us to expand and include more volunteers to make this prom and our other events as special as possible. We wanted others to be able to experience that same need that we have to be involved. The outpouring of support from people that give their time, donations from individuals and businesses, donations of dresses and accessories has been amazing. What we offer is so much more than just for these special needs individuals, it is just as much for the families and the volunteers that witness the magic of what we provide. Someone once told me that “they didn’t know what they were missing in their life until they volunteered at our prom”. We encourage everyone to be a part of our events. We guarantee that it will touch you in ways that were not expected. To see the joy, smiles, hugs and the laughs will forever be a cherished memory.