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Join Dreams For Kids DC and our Executive Director Glenda for a creative afternoon of drawing. This clinic will feature a basic art lesson.

What: Dreams For Kids DC has set up a virtual art clinic for youth with physical and developmental disabilities. This clinic will focus on basic drawing skills. All you need is a pencil, eraser, colored pencils, and paper. We will be drawing dinosaurs. No previous drawing experience necessary. Glenda will breakdown the steps to make it easy for a beginner!

When: Sunday, September 26th from 1:30 - 2:30PM EST

Where: Online via Zoom (You will receive the zoom conference link a few days before the clinic)

Who: Participants with physical and developmental disabilities aged 4 - 24, we also invite their siblings to attend as well! We also invite DFKDC volunteers and friends to join us online to make this a truly inclusive session. Please read about all of our new digital programming (in light of COVID-19) here: https://www.dreamsforkidsdc.org/programs

JAZZ HANDS FOR AUTISM AND DREAMS FOR KIDS DC PRESENT...

SOUNDS OF SUMMER: THE SECOND ANNUAL VIRTUAL TALENT SHOW! This event will go nation-wide with performers from California to DC.

A Virtual National Summer Talent Show presented by Dreams For Kids DC (DFKDC) and Jazz Hands For Autism (JHFA) Our goal is to have this event be a Virtual "American Idol-style", wherein our musicians get the chance to have feedback from industry professionals. We are very excited to showcase the talents of performers of all abilities from around the nation. Check out the video from our 2020 December holiday talent show partnership by clicking here.

Featured Performers

To Be Announced...

Hosted By Brandi Pollard, Jazz Hands For Autism

General Information

Who/What: Jazz Hands For Autism and Dreams For Kids DC's digital talent show for youth with disabilities. We encourage families, friends, and volunteers from all over to join us as spectators. We are asking for a $10 donation from each spectator that will be shared between the two charities.

When: The event will be held on Saturday, July 17th from 4:00PM - 5:15PM EST // 1:00PM - 2:15PM PST.

Where: Zoom (You will be sent the zoom link a few days before the event)

Organizations- want to get your organization or company involved? Contact Executive Director Glenda at [email protected]

We are delighted to partner with DMC Youth Connect, a California based youth group created by the Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC), for this virtual cooking clinic. DFKDC Executive Director, Glenda Fu, and Programs Manager, Moya Chang will be teaching Georgia Green's infamous delicious strawberry pie. Special thanks to Patrick Green and Georgia Green for allowing us to teach their infamous Strawberry Pie recipe.

What: Dreams For Kids DC has set up a virtual cooking clinic for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities and their parents/guardians. This clinic will focus on basic cooking skills. You will be making strawberry pie. No previous cooking experience necessary, but we DO ask that parents/guardians be close by to assist their children. Glenda will break down the steps to make it accessible for a beginner cook! Once you register, you will be emailed a shopping list, equipment list, and recipe so you can have everything ready when the clinic begins.

When: Saturday, July 10, 2021 from 4:30-6:30 PM EST // 1:30-3:30 PM PST

Where: Online via Zoom (You will receive the zoom link a few days before the clinic)

Who: Participants with physical and developmental disabilities of all ages welcome and we also invite their family members to attend as well! We also invite DFKDC volunteers and friends to join us online to make this a truly inclusive session. Please read about all of our new digital programming (in light of COVID-19) here: https://www.dreamsforkidsdc.org/programs

Dreams For Kids DC programs are 100% free and give children with disabilities to sports and other activities, helping them realize their full potential to succeed in all walks of life.

Dreams For Kids DC x 10 All In Foundation x Children's Science Center Digital STEM Class: Animal Encounters

What: Dreams For Kids DC is partnering with the Children's Science Center (CSC) and 10 All In Foundation to organize a virtual STEM clinic. CSC's STEM Educators will provide a virtual animal encounter through Zoom. Participants will be a part of an Animal Encounter where they will meet one animal, and then participate in an Animal Adaptations activity with the STEM Educator.

Dreams For Kids DC will provide a prom for 30 young adults with physical and developmental disabilities, thanks to presenting sponsor Kimsey Foundation and supporting sponsor Peruvian Brothers. This event will give our participants a chance to dance and enjoy an evening together without the normal regimented drills of the clinics we hold, while socially distanced and outdoors. This year’s theme is “Adventure Awaits” and will be held at a new location Glen Echo Park.

Join Dreams For Kids DC & our Intern, Sydney, for a fun beginner-friendly session of Tai Chi.

What: Dreams For Kids DC has set up a virtual tai chi clinic for youth with physical and developmental disabilities. This clinic will focus on basic tai chi movements, awareness of breath, and stretching. All you need is to wear comfortable clothing and have an open space to practice. Sydney will breakdown the steps to make it easy for a beginner!

When: Monday, June 7th, 2021 from 4:00 - 5:00 PM EST // 1:00-2:00 PM PST

*Please be aware of the various time zones*

Where: Online via Zoom (You will receive the zoom conference link a few days before the clinic)

Who: Participants with physical and developmental disabilities aged 4 - 24, we also invite their siblings to attend as well! We also invite DFKDC volunteers and friends to join us online to make this a truly inclusive session. Please read about all of our new digital programming (in light of COVID-19) here: https://www.dreamsforkidsdc.org/programs

About Sydney: Hello, my name is Sydney, and I am a recent graduate from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Health Education, concentration in Physical Activity and Fitness Management, and a minor in Adapted Physical Activity. While I was at college, I was very actively involved in Special Olympics, Fitness Buddy Programs, International Club, Club Goalball Team, and a variety of adaptive sports programs. When I am not volunteering, you can find me cooking, crafting, and exploring the great outdoors. I have been practicing Tai Chi for over two years and find the exercises helpful to relax/cope with stress. I slowly started teaching friends and family the different poses. I teach the poses separately and not in a full sequence so it is more relaxing and can be easily adjusted to fit all needs.

About Dreams For Kids DC: Dreams For Kids DC provides life-changing activities that empower children with physical and developmental disabilities to unite with their peers and realize their potential. DFKDC events are adaptive sports clinics held once or twice a month for children with disabilities aged 4 – 24. Through our events, those with physical and developmental disabilities are able to come off the sidelines and unite with their peers. A lot of these children have been bullied in schools, and are left out of activities with able-bodied children. The empowerment and self confidence gained through the clinic will carry over from the field to the home, classroom, and the community, allowing them to realize that their disability will not prevent them from fulfilling their dreams. Each child is partnered with a volunteer to learn the essence of teamwork, have a mentor, and also bond over a sense of camaraderie. Learn more at dreamsforkidsdc.org

Dreams For Kids DC programs are 100% free and give children with disabilities to sports and other activities, helping them realize their full potential to succeed in all walks of life.

Dreams For Kids DC x Adaptive Yoga Live: Meditation & Mandala Drawing Class

Join Dreams For Kids DC x Adaptive Yoga Live and our Programs manager Moya for a relaxing and creative session of Meditation & Mandala Drawing. Come experience the relaxing practice of meditation and the expressive, cathartic, and mindful process of drawing mandalas! (See collage below for examples of what you will be drawing)

What: Dreams For Kids DC x Adaptive Yoga Live has set up a virtual mindfulness clinic for individuals of all ages with physical and developmental disabilities. This clinic will focus on basic meditation techniques and mandala drawing skills.

The meditation portion of this clinic will be a short guided practice where the individual will learn a mindfulness technique from an AYL teacher. The purpose of meditation is to train one's mental and emotional awareness in the aspiration to achieve a more mentally clear and emotionally calm state. All you need is yourself and a quiet environment. No previous meditation experience necessary.

The mandala drawing portion of this clinic will be inspired by what emotions, thoughts, and feelings arise from the meditation practice. Mandalas are circular designs with repeating shapes and historically have held spiritual significance. The word “mandala” comes from the Sanskrit word for circle. When paired with mindfulness meditation, mandala drawing can be a cathartic and fun way to come back to the present moment. All you need is a pencil, eraser, colored pencils/markers/crayons, and paper. No previous drawing experience necessary. Moya will break down the steps to make it easy for a beginner!

When: Saturday, May 22nd, 2020 from 8:00-9:00 am PST, 11:00 am-12:00 pm EST, 4:00-5:00 pm BST

Where: Online via Zoom (You will receive the zoom conference link in your email a few days before the clinic).

Who: Participants with physical and developmental disabilities of all ages welcome and we also invite their family members to attend as well! We also invite DFKDC x AYL volunteers and friends to join us online to make this a truly inclusive session. Please read about all of our new digital programming (in light of COVID-19) here: https://www.dreamsforkidsdc.org/programs

Dreams For Kids DC programs are 100% free and give children with disabilities to sports and other activities, helping them realize their full potential to succeed in all walks of life.

About Dreams For Kids DC:

Dreams For Kids DC provides life-changing activities that empower children with physical and developmental disabilities to unite with their peers and realize their potential. DFKDC events are adaptive sports clinics held once or twice a month for children with disabilities aged 4 – 24. Through our events, those with physical and developmental disabilities are able to come off the sidelines and unite with their peers. A lot of these children have been bullied in schools, and are left out of activities with able-bodied children. The empowerment and self confidence gained through the clinic will carry over from the field to the home, classroom, and the community, allowing them to realize that their disability will not prevent them from fulfilling their dreams. Each child is partnered with a volunteer to learn the essence of teamwork, have a mentor, and also bond over a sense of camaraderie. Learn more at dreamsforkidsdc.org

About Adaptive Yoga Live:

Adaptive Yoga LIVE was started by Miranda McCarthy as a direct response to COVID-19 to help the disabled community stay active and combat the stress of self-isolation during the lockdown. Free adaptive yoga classes are broadcast live, three times a week, through the Adaptive Yoga LIVE website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Adaptive yoga teaches you to use the mind to bring awareness to the body, through physical postures, partnered with the breath, and meditation practices, regardless of the student’s level of ability. Classical yoga postures are adapted, with the use of props and chairs, to the needs of students living with a disability. The emphasis is on the experience within each yoga pose - not simply their physical accomplishments. Awareness moves through the mind-body relationship both with and without muscular action. It is about the discovery of a subtle level of mind-body sensation that is not impeded by disability. Learn more at adaptiveyogalive.com