By Aida Vogt, Kat Cowell and Katie Banning
A support group for parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities? In Bonners Ferry? Really? Who knew?
On the first Thursday of every month at Panhandle Health District, The Northern Connections Group meets at 5:30 p.m. for support, food, fun and activities.
The Northern Connections Group is dedicated to encouraging parents and caregivers of individuals with Down’s Syndrome, Autism, Mental Disabilities and a host of others. The group was founded last spring with help from Down’s Syndrome Connections NW, based in Hayden, Idaho with initial funding through a 501 (c)(3) grant.
“We are here to offer emotional, informational and practical empowerment to parents and caregivers,” says leader, Kat Cowell. “It’s a safe, understanding environment where families can share their experiences, challenges and successes.”
The group welcomes families from Boundary and Bonner counties and has seen attendance grow to 35-45 participants each month. In addition to informal gatherings, some sessions feature guest speakers who provide training and information about local resources.
How can you help?
As the group grows, so does the need for support. Northern Connections is seating assistance to help sustain their monthly meetings and expand their impact.
- Food and Refreshments: Donations of meals or funds to provide refreshments for the monthly meetings.
- Postage and Printing: Support for mailing flyers and birthday cards for children in the group.
- Birthday Cards: Contributions of coffee gift cards or stickers to include in personalized birthday greetings to all the family’s children in the group.
- Community Awareness: Encouragement for parents and caregivers to attend, even if they don’t currenly feel the need for support. “It’s a great opportunity to exchange ideas and learn strategies and resources that might be useful down the road,” the representative notes.
Northern Connections is a community-based effort that depends on local support. By donating or participating, individuals and businesses can help create a stronger network of care for families facing the challenges of disability.
“We are incredibly grateful to Down’s Syndrome Connections NW for their ongoing support,” says Kat. “But as we look to become more locally sustained, we are calling on our community to help us continue providing these critical services.”
To contribute food, fund or supplies to Northern Connections, or to learn more about the group, please contact Kat Cowell at (208)267-3431 or at Northern.Connections@dsconnectionsnw.org. Every little bit of helps makes a big difference in the lives of local families.