Events & Calendar

	October 2021
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
					1 10th Annual Connecting Hearts, Raising Voices Benefit Main Event 10th Annual Connecting Hearts, Raising Voices Benefit Main Event October 1, 2021  7:00 pm - 8:00 pm REGISTER, DONATE AND BID AT https://charityauction.bid/fvmnbenefit2021 Kevin Kling is back for his third year to host the benefit with humor and insight on life and disability.  Kevin is an author, playwright and storyteller who has performed all over the world and is often featured on NPR's All Things Considered. Acclaimed keyboardist and member of Prince's Power Generation, Tommy Barbarella, and his daughter Mariella give a special performance of their work-in-progess musical, The Girl Who Cried Different.  Mariella lives with Williams Syndrome and has inherited her father’s passion for music, which allows her to better communicate with the world. The Girl Who Cried Different looks at navigating the tricky world of middle school through the eyes of a 13-year old girl with special needs.  Together, Tommy and Mariella will perform selections, demonstrate their unique writing methods, share the role music has played in both of their lives and discuss what it’s like to be different - something embraced and celebrated by Prince himself. Join us for this free virtual event and raise funds that allow us to offer information, resources and support to MN families who are raising children with disabilities and extra needs. Your donation matters. Check out our online silent auction that opens at 8am on September 24th and remains open for the entire week prior to the show. See more details •	2
3	4	5	6	7	8 Virtual Community Coffee Virtual Community Coffee October 8, 2021  10:30 am - 11:00 am REGISTER Anyone else missing the quick chats where you run into a parent, friend or teacher at appointments, in the community or at school? I don’t think I realized how much we got from those waiting room check-ins with other parents, hallway conversations with teachers and the comforts of an in-person doctor’s visit. We wanted to recreate these conversations virtually. We urge you to grab a cup of coffee and connect with others in the community. This group is open to parents, educators, providers, advocates and others involved in the care of children and youth with special health needs and disabilities. Join us for some casual conversation and to be connected. We will try to keep it short and sweet to 30 minutes but will also go with the flow of the group. See more details •	9
10	11	12 Family Leadership Institute Family Leadership Institute October 12, 2021  12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Learn More & Apply https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FamilyLeadership2021 Family Voices of Minnesota and the University of Missouri Institute for Human Development, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities are offering a Family Leadership Institute for families raising children with extra needs and disabilities. This program is designed for families who are interested in enhancing their leadership skills. Participants will build their core competencies in family advocacy to be successful as family leaders partnering to make change.  This is professional development for family leaders.  This Family Leadership Institute will include six sessions, held monthly from October 2021 to April 2022 (no formal December meeting) Core Competency modules include: Introduction to Family Leadership Communication Collaboration, Partnerships and Relationships Conflict Resolution, Decision Making, and Problem Solving Cultural Competence and Family Dynamics Family-Centered Care See more details Second Weds Virtual Parent Group Second Weds Virtual Parent Group October 12, 2021  7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Register by emailing the hosts Kaylie Schmidt, Parent Support Navigator at kaylie@familyvoicesmn.org or Kelly Korpela, Parent Support Navigator at kelly@familyvoicesmn.org Please join us for our monthly Virtual Support Group from the comfort of your own home! As parents of children with special healthcare needs, we understand how busy and chaotic life can get. We also understand how easy it is to feel isolated, alone, and unsure. Our Virtual Support Group allows parents and caregivers across Minnesota to connect in a safe and supportive atmosphere to discuss the joys and challenges of raising a child with special healthcare needs. We share information, resources, and laughter! If you have a particular topic you would like to discuss, please email Kelly or Kaylie and we will be sure to get it added to the agenda! See more details • •	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21 Third Thursday Parent Group Third Thursday Parent Group October 21, 2021  7:30 pm - 9:00 pm REGISTER Virtual meetings are open to any parent of a child with special health needs / disabilities anywhere in MN. Register for login information. These ongoing support groups are being hosted by Jamie O’Conner, Outreach Coordinator for Family Voices of MN. Jamie is mom to two kids (8 yo & 7 yo), including one child with a rare genetic condition. The vision of this group is to offer a safe and sacred space of sharing the emotional journey of parenting a child who has special health care needs or a disability. See more details •	22 Virtual Community Coffee Virtual Community Coffee October 22, 2021  10:30 am - 11:00 am REGISTER Anyone else missing the quick chats where you run into a parent, friend or teacher at appointments, in the community or at school? I don’t think I realized how much we got from those waiting room check-ins with other parents, hallway conversations with teachers and the comforts of an in-person doctor’s visit. We wanted to recreate these conversations virtually. We urge you to grab a cup of coffee and connect with others in the community. This group is open to parents, educators, providers, advocates and others involved in the care of children and youth with special health needs and disabilities. Join us for some casual conversation and to be connected. We will try to keep it short and sweet to 30 minutes but will also go with the flow of the group. See more details •	23
24	25	26	27	28 Early Childhood Parent Group Early Childhood Parent Group October 28, 2021  7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Email to register: kaylie@familyvoicesmn.org This virtual support group is for parents who have a child aged birth to 3 years with special health care needs. We welcome parents raising NICU graduates, kiddos with developmental or speech delays, genetic conditions, extra medical needs and more.  Host: Kaylie Schmidt. Kaylie is mom to 3 children ages 12, 7 and almost 2 years old with multiple diagnoses. She has experience in the NICU as a registered nurse. Kaylie understands the need for community as we walk this journey of raising children with complex needs. See more details •	29	30
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