Programs
Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
Special Olympics of Kansas: Basketball Season for Wichita Saints
Every Sunday from December 15 through the end of February from 5:00 to 6:30pm at the Downtown YMCA. Please use this link to sign up: https://forms.gle/m1vkZJiKpfgKzeQ38
Young Athletes: Special Olympics of Kansas
Young Athletes is an early childhood play program for children with intellectual disabilities, ages 2 to 7 years old. Join us every Wednesday from January 15 to Feb 26 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at St. Joseph School Gym (132 S Millwood). To sign up please call the Ministry of Persons with Disabilities at 316-269-3900
Francis of Assisi Parish Mental Health Ministry, Support Group:
For those who struggle with mental health issues and also for those close to them. The group meets the second Wednesday of every month from 7:00-8:30p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Wichita. No registration required. Feel free to attend one or all of the gatherings. This is a safe place to come learn and share. For more information, Lawrence Schuckman (316-259-8210).
The Catholic Advance is available through the KU Audio Reader system. Anyone who is blind, visually impaired or has a print disability (dyslexia, nonreader) may access this service. For information, call Jessie Lopez at 316-269-3900.
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A Clarification on Wichita’s Special Needs Support
We want to share important information about an organization recently launched in Wichita called the Fire Foundation. While their mission of championing the inclusion of children with special needs in Catholic schools is commendable, it’s crucial to clarify that the Fire Foundation is not sponsored by the Diocese of Wichita. The Holy Family Special Needs Foundation is the only outreach to persons with special needs affiliated with the Diocese of Wichita.
The Holy Family Special Needs Foundation, a cornerstone of our diocese, was established in 2003 with deep roots in the Wichita community. It was founded with funds from the closure of the Holy Family Center, a school dedicated to serving children with disabilities, which opened its doors in the fall of 1965 and closed them in the spring of 1986. Since 2004, the Foundation has provided $3.5 million in support to the 38 Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wichita to assist in building programs to support kids with disabilities.
Our Foundation‘s mission is to foster the human, intellectual, and spiritual growth of individuals with disabilities through education, activities, and service, enabling them to be active disciples of Jesus Christ. We achieve this mission through various initiatives, including:
· Ministry with Persons with Disabilities: Providing support and resources to individuals with disabilities and their families.
· Inclusion Grants to Catholic Schools: Helping Catholic schools increase their capacity to serve students with disabilities by funding essential resources.
Our goal is to ensure that all 38 schools within the Wichita diocese have a full or part-time special education teacher on staff.
We invite you to learn more about the Holy Family Special Needs Foundation and its commitment to serving individuals with disabilities in Wichita.