Hard work, Generosity, Community
By Melani Kliewer, Volunteer Coordinator Fashion Passion is Rainbows’ signature fundraising event, with 600 guests, a catered dinner, live and silent auctions, a raffle, a photo booth, music by DJ Carbon, Fashion Passion cocktails, and a professional runway show. My name is Melani Kliewer and I’m the Volunteer Coordinator for Rainbows United. 2018 was my […]
Janeen Hughes
As an expectant first-time mother, I carefully followed my doctor’s instructions, watched what I ate, switched to low-impact aerobic exercise and read a mountain of childbirth and parenting publications. I was determined to be well-prepared for the arrival of my baby. However, I was not at all prepared for the reality of the birth of […]
Happy Holidays from Rainbows
Entertaining for the holidays involves plenty of planning and preparation, in addition to all the shopping for gifts and house cleaning. Not surprisingly, the youngest guests may get the least amount of attention. Here are a few ideas to make sure even the youngest members of the family feel special and included in the celebration. […]
The Impact on Early Childhood Development
The technological boom of the 1990s has, in many ways, transformed media and its role in the average household. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are growing up in an environment saturated with many forms of digital technology. “Screen time” is a term loosely used to describe sedentary activities spent utilizing television, personal computers, gaming consoles, or […]
InterHab Awards
My favorite part of the entire InterHab conference is the Arts and Awards Recognition Lunch. I remember the first time I attended in 2007. It was when I realized I was part of something so much bigger than my small role as a Rainbows’ employee. I heard stories of accomplishment for adults with developmental disabilities […]
10:15+ Club
A highlight of every year is the 10:15+ Club event that honors Rainbows’ employees who have been making a difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families for ten years or more. It’s a day of secrets and celebration that begins with participants loading buses at 10:15 a.m. in anticipation of […]
Planning A Simple And Fun Halloween Party
-Carol Martin, Insurance Billing, Finance Department, Rainbows United, Inc. Face it, the Halloween holiday is growing bigger every year, and more and more people are throwing parties. There are many ways to entertain on Halloween. Big or small, fancy or casual, make sure to plan ahead and save time and energy with creative shortcuts. This […]
Fall is in the Air
Room 5 brought a taste of fall into the classroom learning to make their own homemade applesauce! Wichita is filled with many family-friendly events to help your family enjoy the season. Homemade Applesauce Recipe 3 lbs. apples, cored and sliced (Granny Smith are excellent) ½ cup water 1 tablespoon lemon juice Simmer on high for […]
Amber Tra
Being a member of a family with a child with special needs means experiencing challenges and opportunities other families may not encounter. Thirteen year old Amber is the oldest of six children in the Tra family. Amber has Smith-Magenis Syndrome, with learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Amber’s mother, Katy, said “For our family, Rainbows fills a need that […]
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteering at Rainbows impacts not only the children with special needs and their families, but it also changes the life of the volunteer. “I enjoy every minute I spend volunteering and am always looking for the next event to sign up for because it brings me pure joy to see the smiles on all of those […]
