Special Kids

THE SPECIAL KIDS 2023 GOLF TOURNAMENT will be held at Deerfield Country Club on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

For more information, please contact Kim Turner at 601.366.2335 or at SK@saintrichard.com, visit the church office or download the Golf Tournament brochure here:

SK 2023 GOLF TOURNAMENT BROCHURE

 


If you have questions about new procedures due to Covid-19, please email the Special Kids Program Director, Kim Turner at 601.366.2335 ext 123 or sk@saintrichard.com.

Almost 40 years ago, Father Patrick Farrell saw the need to provide a program designed to address the challenges of children with special needs. This program started with only two children and has continually served special needs children. This program has been and continues to be a vital part to the Jackson community.

The Special Kids program is designed to help high school students with developmental disabilities. It is a ministry that provides individualized programs for each of its students. Each child’s goal is different. One might strive to study academics, while another one strives to learn life skills and live alone. We serve ages 13 to 21. Our students are from all denominations and faiths.

The students are taught and loved by three dedicated teachers, along with a community of volunteers. Volunteers share their talents with the students from art, dance, cooking, & more. We do not have a limit of how many students well take, but our goal is to have 12.

The Special Kids Adult program serves the needs of our students 21 years of age and older, providing them unique opportunities to engage with their community. This includes a weekly work program that partners each student with various Metro-area businesses like Gina Diamond’s Flowers in Madison, M7 Coffeeshop in Ridgeland, and The Ramey Agency of Fondren. These students also perform daily duties at St. Richard Catholic Church and create beautiful art and ceramics for the art shows we host each semester. Our adult students are vital and integral members of our program and participate in the trips, events, daily workouts, meal preparations, and parties we enjoy throughout the year.

The church has just completed a new building for these students. There is a kitchen, a social area, a classroom, and also an open space that will provide for one-on-one interaction with students, where teachers work with the children, and where children can have space for iPads, art, and other actvites.

We believe every child is a gift from God and each is given his/her talents in special ways. The children in this program form an integral part of the St. Richard community. Since 1980, St. Richard has addressed the need to make available a regular classroom atmosphere and curriculum for mentally, emotionally and physically handicapped children.

If you have any questions about your child or family member joining this program please contact the Special Kids Program Director, Kim Turner at 601.366.2335 ext 123 or sk@saintrichard.com