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- Who is Reachout America ?
Reachout America is a nonprofit foundation focused on helping children in the United States who are confronted with critical health issues and/or lifelong physical challenges.
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- How many camps does Reachout America have ?
Reachout America does not "have" any camps. We support special kids and established camps with funding in order to continue to enhance the lives of the participants.
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- Where are the camps located that the kids are sent to ?
Reachout America works with a pool of nearly 1000 camps across America that offer programs, activities and experiences - all of the camps are experienced in catering to children with special needs and produce the same results.- Memories that will last a lifetime
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- How long is the typical camp experience ?
Normally 1 week up to 1 month
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- Is there a summer camp program ?
At this time our budget is not able to support the cost of months at camp.
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- How much does it cost to send a child to camp ?
The cost varies depending on the medical staff required and the facilities of the particular camp. Anywhere from $200 - $7900.
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- What kinds of camps do you use and why?
We will offer support to most any camp or farm so long as the special kids are smiling and creating memories. We are a large supporter of Hippotherapy camps because it gets them outside and smiling. If you have not heard of Hippotherapy then you will enjoy this story. Recently we started a fund for the most beautiful 6 year old wheelchair bound girl to do Hippotherapy also known as Therapeutic Horse Riding. (she has Mitochondria - whatever is in the blood to give you energy she doesn't have) Sounds crazy but horse translated in greek is Hippo. Anyway - there is a special bond between people and horses and they take this smiling child and lay her on her stomach in the saddle since she can't sit up. They are there to catch her but when the horse starts to walk she is smiling and hanging on for "Dear Life" at the same time. LOL. What she doesn't realize is that she is working her muscles and balance. (They also use this for downs/autistic kids and other disabilities.) She does other therapy as well but she is now sitting up by herself and we like to think that the Hippotherapy has been a large part why. Pretty cool huh ? As for the other camps like burn, diabetes cancer etc...The most common thing the kids say after the camp is "Hey there are other kids out there just like me".
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- Reachout America is located in Georgia - please explain how they can help my community in a different state.
Reachout Americas' unique program can help not only your community but also communities across America. We have a School Service Learning program and also a Court community Service program. We will focus on the Court program. It is really quite simple. We are offering an alternative to jail and court time and at the same time giving back to their community by helping a special needs child or camp in their area. Our program has been welcomed across the country by probation officers, judges, DA etc. because they understand how difficult it is to find a place to complete the hours and also work and/or go to school. They also realize with the budget issues that governments are having, that Community service is a very cost effective alternative to Jail - usually $80 average per day if there are no medical issues or law suits (which average $40,000 per incident)...30 people/day x $80 x 365 = $876,000 savings minimum per year plus another million or so in litagation and medical - and absolutly no cost to start our program. There are many ways for the individuals to complete their community service from Recycling old used cell phones and ink cartridges to a car wash or collection container.... As an example - You have a decent person who is involved in a non violent offense who is required to do 40 hours of community service (they have a spouse, 2 kids and going to school at night to better their life) - he has 4 months to do them. 1st month he calls around and all he can find is the Humane society between 3 - 5 on wednesdays - but they are booked next wednesday. The second and third month...frustrated because he may loose his job if he cannot find a place that is open when he gets off of work - and cleaning the poop 2 hours a week for the next 5 months is not in his timeframe and also does not seem like the most productive way to help the community . Now he is down to 1 month to complete 40 hours. he is directed to us - or he finds us. He does a couple of collection containers and 2 car washes and completes his hours. Now the fun part ... Reachout America now supports a child or camp in his area - It really does not matter the disability (diabetes, cancer, burn, cerebral palsy, downs, autistic etc.) - as long as we can make a special child smile - we can make it happen.
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- I know of a special child that would enjoy a week of fun or therapy - should I tell him to get ready to go to camp?
We would prefer that only the parental units be spoken with rather than directly with the kids. There is a bit of paperwork for medical purposes that needs to be completed between the camp and the family before the approval is given. (The child has most likely been through enough - the last thing that we want is for a child to be disappointed that they cannot go to camp due to an adult error like not completing the forms and paperwork.) There is a form on the websites that can be completed to start the process.
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- Has Reachout America received any government funding or grants ?
At this time Reachout America has not received any grants or government funding.
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- What are some ways that I can raise funds ?
There are lots of ways! You can organize and produce a fundraiser (a simple, creative campaign to collect money on behalf of Reachout America) You can present us with an idea of your own, or can use one of our popular and successful campaigns to raise funds to donate to send a child to camp.
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- How are donations put to use? What % goes to sending kids to camp? What % goes to paying staff and expenses?
100% of contributions goes directly toward the further development and growth of our program. It is our 2 year goal to have the highest percent to cause ratio in the nation among Nonprofit foundations.
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- What is the Court Ordered Community Service Program ?
If you were offered the opportunity through the courts to do community service in lieu of serving jail time or were convicted of a non-violent crime but just don't have the funds to pay the court cost - Reachout America offers several fun, flexible and rewarding opportunities for you to secure community service hours that not only will enable you to complete your designated requirements, but also give you a chance to help improve the lives of kids in America with health issues and/or physical challanges. Through your time and sweat equity, your community service hours directly help us send kids to camp. In addition, we do everything we can to help a child or camp right in your very own community. Thus, the funds that you raise and donate to Reachout America will directly be used to provide for a child or camp from your area.
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- What is the Service Learning Program ?
The Reachout America Service Learning Program is a unique and wonderful educational and enlightening opportunity not only for individual students to engage actively in and contribute directly to their particular community while earning academic credit/hours toward their graduation requirements, but also for the general public to interact with and participate in the teaching of youth in their neighborhoods. It is a cool mix of both teaching and learning. It offers community members the chance to take part in the active education of its youth, and it offers the participants seeking the experience of service-learning the chance to identify, address and do something worthwhile about real needs in their communities. A time to reflect. As a fun, hands-on approach to education, service-learning allows students to go out into the real world and embark on a plan of action that will directly improve, enhance and uplift the lives of others.
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- What is Reflections all about?
Upon Completion of mandated Service-learning hours or Court Ordered hours, we encourage the participant to download and complete our reflection page. We believe that reflection is the key to learning from any experience in life. Taking time to think about what one has been through helps the individual to assess their values and life goals. Through reflection, the community service experience becomes an integral part of the idividuals life. Like a seed that is planted today and will blossom over time, the community service that is completed today directly and profoundly touches and impacts the life of another (a child in need) over time. Reflecting on that experience helps to ensure the participant is aware of how their choices influence others in life.
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