Work experience helps granddaughter with autism
When Yolanda Castillo started working at Rainbows in 2000, she didn’t consider the possibility that her experience with children with special needs would someday help her in her family life. “When my granddaughter, Micah Luna, was diagnosed with autism, my experience working with children similar to her allowed me to help her and my son […]
Life changing, self-care strategies
Whether you are welcoming a newborn into the world, or are the parent(s) of a young child(ren), it is safe to say you are or have been dealing with quite a few changes and adjustments in your day-to-day life; such as changes in your sleep patterns, emotions and stress level, and overall changes in your […]
A whole new world of compassion
“When I first met with Jamee Funk, Rainbows’ Physical Therapist, she congratulated me on having a child with Down Syndrome,” said Stevie, William’s mother. “I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand at that time.” Will was an after birth diagnosis, nothing was caught on screenings, the pregnancy was normal, labor was progressing normally and then […]
Campers Celebrate All Summer Long
Camp Woodchuck’s theme for summer of 2022 is a birthday party theme in celebration of Rainbow’s 50th Birthday! Camp Woodchuck began providing a fun, summer experience for children with special needs in 1997. This summer, 38 campers ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old will be treated to an in-home camp experience like […]
DiGiovanni Family Celebrates
“The path, the journey we’ve been on, it all started at one place -Rainbows.” As a 10-year-old volunteering with her mother at Blarney Breakfast, Gretchen DiGiovanni had no idea the impact Rainbows United would someday have on her family. Gretchen’s parents, Dick and Carol Rohloff, are long-time supporters of Rainbows. Gretchen continued to be a […]
Calming Down with a Social Story
When a child gets upset, our first instinct is to quickly get the child to calm down. Sometimes when we do this, it escalates the situation. We should find other ways that will take time, to help the child calm down. One thing we should do is sympathize with the child by saying, “You look […]
The Power of Potential
“Oh the Places You’ll Go”, the theme for Pre-Kindergarten Graduation 2022, always makes me think of one word – “potential”. Potential, from the Latin potentia “power,” describes something or someone that has the power to become something. As Program Coordinator for Rainbows’ Early Care and Education Program, I’m blessed to have a position that lets […]
Celebration of Learning
The Dolan boys are all members of the Rainbows’ family. Ethan, 7, Austin, 5, Logan, 3 and Braden, 3 months, have spent time in every classroom at Kids’ Point Early Care and Education Program. This year, Austin will graduate from Pre-K and join his brother Ethan at school. The family got connected with Rainbows nearly […]
Pre-K Teacher Shares Love of Music With Children
When Mackenzie Tilma, Assistant Teacher, is in the classroom, you are likely to hear the happy notes of…A UKELELE? “I always like when the children get excited when I bring my ukulele to play songs for them,” said Mackenzie. “They are always suggesting songs I need to learn to play. We keep multiple toy ukuleles […]
We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
Twenty-five years ago, Rainbows offered a part-time job to an inexperienced physical therapist for a new position in Butler County. That inexperienced PT was me and I actually suggested that I wasn’t the best fit for the job, but Betty Graham in Human Resources and Debbie Mai in Programs and Services took a chance on […]
