KIDS ON THE GO! SPORTS MOBILITY PROGRAM

It's a beautiful day for a bike ride. Placing one foot on the right peddle while you push off with your left is as natural as sneezing. For the able bodied, once you mastered how to ride a two-wheel bike, you never thought about these mechanics again.

These rites of passage are anticipated and expected for most of us, but not for many children afflicted by disabilities, disorders, diseases or permanently damaged in accidents. Whether the child has Cerebral palsy, Spina Bifida, Dravet Syndrome (SMEI), Down's Syndrome, Transvere Myelitis, a neurological disorder seen in one person out a million, or more common developmental delays, those kids want to be just as active and mobile like any other.

As new sports-mobility technologies are created and improved, Variety would like to see children with disabilities access these opportunities. Kids on the Go! is part of a national Variety effort to provide support for children and their families in the form of durable medical equipment that they cannot afford or are denied by their health insurance. In many cases, devices like adaptive bikes and special needs strollers are not covered. Despite their immense physical and therapeutic benefits, insurance may not reimburse this cost because it doesn't consider them to be necessary items. Even wheelchairs can take up to two years to be funded by insurance.

Above: Lucy May Hylton on her specialized XLT Handcycle, able to ride for the first time with her best friend.

Variety's National Mobility Program provides much needed assistance to children with mobility concerns. Over the years, we have found that these children desperately want to be active members of their communities. But they need what most of us take for granted: access. For children with disabilities, this means having the freedom to go where they want to, either on their own, or if they need assistance, reducing the impact they make on those helping them. With the advent of many new mobility technologies, this access is becoming available to more and more children. The goal of our Mobility Program is to see that they get it.

KIDS ON THE GO! and MOBILITY SPORTS

One thing Variety of Illinois knows is that the majority of people do not realize the extent to which a disabled athlete needs sports equipment to play a game. For instance, purchasing athletic shoes is innumerably less expensive than is the cost of adaptive equipment. An adaptive leg for amputees can cost up to $80,000 and a sports adaptive wheelchair can cost around $4000.

In 2008, the Illinois Mobility programs, which also include Kids on the Go!, provided adaptive sports and medical equipment to Illinois children. These donations support a network of relationships and skills for a child. The most interesting thing that I have experienced is how much adversity these kids go through just to participate in athletic activities, said Trent Thenhaus, Windy City Warriors Adapted Sports Coordinator, who works closely with Variety of Illinois to coordinate Mobility Sports! Everyone knows about how social interactions benefit all kids, but to give kids with disabilities the opportunity to have that social network through athletics can transform their outlooks in life.

The ratio of cost for adaptive bicycles and tricycles is similar. The generosity of Variety's donations covers expenses that many parents are unable to afford. Programs like Variety's Kids on the Go! help them to get the full benefits of life, added Thenhaus.

The tent's contributions support children's sense of teamwork, communication, and self-esteem, as it builds partnership with organizations like Windy City Warriors to help Illinois children gain a positive, firm perspective of the world. Illinois mobility programs are supported in part by Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Prospect Airport Services, and the Jacob J. Fink Foundation.

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VARIETY AT PLAY

Tent 26 Provides Variety of Opportunities for the Children of Illinois.

When Variety of Illinois developed the Variety-at-Play theater-tour program, the goal was to reach as many children as possible. Sure, the children got to see movies like Kung Fu Panda, Space Chimps and The Great Debaters before any of the rest of us did. And they got to learn how to make popcorn and receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the theater. It was funny. It was cool… I didn't know you put that much butter on popcorn, shouted Kaylin, age 8, of the Boys and Girls Club of General Wood. But it was more than just an morning at the movies.

In 2008, Variety of Illinois worked with more than 200 children ages 6 to 18. The Illinois chapter used its theater roots to partner with the historic Chatham movie theater, a theater owned by Inner City Entertainment (ICE). With the help of Variety-board President Michelle Baert, and Chatham Theater staff led by Venisha White-Johnson, they hosted tours as part of ICE Theater's mission to revive movie theaters in inner-city neighborhoods and to inspire pride in the surrounding south-side communities. For organizations such as Beacon's Therapeutic, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and Hephzibah Home, the Illinois tent provided more than just a trip to the movies; it provided an experiential learning program to children living in struggling neighborhoods on Chicago's south side.

Variety-at-Play participants come from predominantly low-income households, some of whom are living in foster care where there are few opportunities to positively connect with others and the community. Program content was adapted to meet the interests of various age groups and included fun, hands-on learning opportunities. The Variety theater-tour program showed the kids the ins and outs of the movie theater—everything from how to make cotton candy and popcorn, to how to operate the projection booth. Everyone was also shown how a film arrives, is built up on the platter, and then threaded into the projector to be viewed on the big screen.  Children even got to bring the popcorn and cotton candy that they made into the theater to enjoy a movie compliments of Variety.

Tours for preteens and teenagers offered them a little glimpse into vocational training including what to wear on an interview, how to fill out a job application, and what is generally expected of theater employees. It was fun and I learned a lot of things about getting a job at the movie theater, said Roland, age 12, from the Boys and Girls Club. The emphasis on vocational training in a fun, informal environment also allows the theater to get to know potential employees in their community while Variety-at-Play's participants learn about how to prepare for what many teenagers call their first job.

It is truly a gift of hope for our children. The way you have reached out and embraced our children with the opportunity to be exposed to the entertainment industry is truly amazing, said Beacon's Therapeutic teacher, Peggy Rourke during the 2008 Variety Annual Meeting in November. Our kids still talk about their experience with Variety-at-Play. This type of experience is something that will be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

And, in true Variety fashion, to ensure the program really is a learning experience, each one ends with a series of questions—a little more fun than a pop quiz in school.

The Illinois chapter is excited to continue teaching children how to apply a love of the theater to real-world applications throughout 2009 and beyond.

HANDS TOGETHER, HEART TO ART

Variety—the Children's Charity of Illinois is pleased to support Hands Together, Heart to Art arts initiative for children who have experienced the death of a parent. From its inception in 2004, Variety gives its financial assistance in the spirit of providing for the health and well being of all children. In the United States, 1.2 million children before the age of 15 will lose a parent to death. Whether to a lengthy illness or sudden violence, the effect on a child is devastating. In response to what is a very serious and integral need, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago has created "Hands Together, Heart to Art." This inspiring program addresses these kids' tragic social dilemma by using dance, theatre, and song as a means to help the children grow, reflect, and heal. The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University is dedicated to offering the finest in international, community and cultural programming to the city of Chicago, and to the ongoing restoration and preservation of this National Historic Landmark.

Employing several different areas of the performing arts, the program encourages communication, fosters emotional growth, and provides them with consolation by friends experiencing similar emotions and compassion from counselors and therapists.

Held at the Auditorium Theatre, this innovative educational program is scheduled this summer from July 7-18 (ages 10-14) and July 28 - August 8 (ages 7-11), Monday through Friday.

Participants come from diverse and varied communities throughout Chicago and have even commuted from nearby Indiana and as far south as Florida. They participate in daily theatre, music and dance classes in addition to interactive sessions with licensed healing counselors and therapists. Each session is organized according to a specific theme, such as Our Memories, Our Story, and Imagine Me.

The children are accepted through an exhaustive recruiting process. The application requires an official recommendation of the child as well as a detailed explanation for how/why the child can benefit from the program.

The program is held in the lobby of the Auditorium Theatre as well as various classrooms at Roosevelt University, culminating in a final public performance. Classes in theatre, music, and dance will be conducted daily from 9am - 4pm, led by teaching artists. Throughout the sessions, guest specialists from dance, theatre, music, puppetry, juggling and other art forms offer their expertise and lead group activities. The children participate in each component and contribute artistically and journalistically.

Approximately 70 children between the ages of 7 - 14 will participate this summer, and we hope to expand the program in 2009 following an extensive review of the program's success.

A typical day at "Hands Together, Heart to Art" includes Sharing Time, an informal discussion with guest speakers who discuss their personal experience with losing a parent to death. The children gradually begin to understand that life does continue following a tragedy, and that people who have suffered a similar loss have gone on to lead successful and happy lives. During the Specials part of the day, the children can choose to write in their journals, spend one-on-one or group time with a certified grief counselor, or visit the Resource Room. The Resource Room is a quiet room stocked with books, magazines and other literary materials concerned with how to cope with grieving.

"Hands Together, Heart to Art" will be extended beyond the summer to include two school-year activities. Children and counselors will be offered a ticket to two weekend matinee performances at the Auditorium Theatre, which may be classical and modern dance performances, Broadway theatre, and many different genres of music. Members of the artistic team will conduct a Q&A session immediately following the performances that will include a candid discussion concerning the performance. It is an opportunity for the children to get together again, as well as to experience performances at the Auditorium Theatre.

Gold Heart Pin Launch Party

VARIETY'S 2009 GOLD HEART PIN CAMPAIGN