disabilities feel they lack the education and support needed to best help their child. ... support for their families. I
2015 annual report
history | mission In 2015 we served over 500 children and families through 10 programs offered in Conway, Little Rock, & Russellville. Our goal is to help families address various health, developmental, and social needs by offering comprehensive programs and services not currently available in our Arkansas community.
Community Connections is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with developmental disabilities & their families. Many children with special needs live with little opportunity for extra-curricular activities outside of school, therapy, & doctor visits. Many parents of children with disabilities feel they lack the education and support needed to best help their child. Community Connections was founded in 2005 when Todd & Amy Denton (owners of Pediatrics Plus) and some of their staff saw that many children with disabilities did not have the opportunity to play sports and participate in the arts like their siblings & peers. Out of this need, they founded Community Connections. Community Connections’ mission is to provide quality extra-curricular activities for children with special needs and support for their families.
programs
ACTS Jr. Theatre Art Autism Resource Center of Arkansas Basketball First Tee Golf Martial Arts Music Rivals United Flag Football Showstoppers Cheerleading TOP Soccer
Community Connections programs are specifically designed to build self-esteem, improve social skills, increase physical activity, and provide a network for parents/family members that share similar circumstances. We are proud to partner with local businesses (libraries, studios, churches, schools) to offer activities in the community with low overhead. We also use community volunteers (civic clubs, high school/college athletic teams and clubs, local businesses) as “buddies” for our programs to help each child succeed in a positive environment. The majority of our programs are offered free of charge to children, as it is important to us to be a blessing and not a burden to the families we serve. We love to provide quality activities so that for an hour a week, parents can sit on the sidelines and watch their son/daughter experience the joy of being on a team and experiencing success without the pressure of judgment or financial pressure.
board of directors Todd and Amy Denton Vice President, President 16801 Valley Falls Drive Little Rock, AR 72223
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James and Terry Barnes 14 Sologne Circle Little Rock, AR 72223 501-940-7206
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David and Krista Tapp Secretary 630 Cherub Drive Conway, AR 72034 501-329-4808
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Bentley and Sydney Blackmon #10 Edgehill Rd. Little Rock, AR 72207 501-663-0558
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Carrie Gifford Treasurer P.O. Box 2248 Conway, AR 72033 501-733-4998
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Steve Jr. & Angela Strange 384 Pippinpost Drive Conway, AR 72034
[email protected] [email protected] Steve Sr. & Claudia Strange PO Box 916 Conway, AR 72033
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Brock and Christina Martin 13 Pinehurst Circle Little Rock, AR 72212 501-224-7614
[email protected] [email protected] Jim and Sara Batcheller 66 Sologne Circle Little Rock, AR 72223
[email protected] [email protected] Brandon and Brittany Huffman Owner- Huffman Drywall P.O. Box 242840 Little Rock, AR 72223
[email protected] [email protected] Rich & Vickie Robertson 995 Memory Lane Camden, AR 71701 870-818-5929
[email protected] [email protected]
The Community Connections board of directors is composed of area business leaders who have committed substantial financial support to our cause and organizational structure. The layout of Community Connections provides maximum benefit for participating children. Most salary and administrative expenses are covered by the financial contributions of the business board. This allows money received from donations, fundraising activities, and grant sources to go directly to support the programs for children with developmental disabilities. The board helps in vision casting, decision making, overseeing the operations of Community Connections.
acts jr. theatre
Conway | 45 Children Russellville | 30 Children Little Rock | 22 Children ACTS Jr. (Acting Creates Therapeutic Success) is a unique, creative program designed to integrate children ages 7-17 with and without disabilities together through the use of performing arts. The system utilized in ACTS Jr. is progressive in nature and focuses on the process rather than the product of creating a dramatic performance. The storyline and details of the play are created by the children & sessions build on one another so that children acquire new confidence & skills throughout the semester. ACTS Jr. has touched the lives of numerous children and families in central Arkansas since 2005. This was our 10th year of ACTS Jr. in central Arkansas, and our first year to offer ACTS Jr. in Little Rock.
art
25 Children Conway | Blackbird Academy Little Rock | Pediatrics Plus Community Connections offers art classes for children ages 3-18. The program allows kids to explore their creativity in a positive, encouraging environment, while simultaneously allowing them to explore their senses in new and exciting ways. Kids get a chance to socialize with one another and everyone gets a chance to view and compliment the works of others at the end of class. Art majors from the University of Central Arkansas volunteered and assisted children with projects. Guest instructor Katie Sunshine came and led the class in painting 11 x 14 animal canvases.
autism resource center
Summer Camp | 18 Children Young Adults Group | 25 Peers Spring & Fall Workshops | 80+ Attendees The Autism Resource Center of Arkansas is dedicated to serving children and young adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their families, caregivers, and the professionals who work with them. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with an ASD. Our mission is to empower these children and those surrounding them with information they can use to maximize their potential. Through the Resource Center we have a 5 day summer camp for children ages 8-15 and a young adults support group ages 15-25 who meet for monthly social outings. We also host Spring & Fall workshops with several speakers, including a Q&A panel with members from our Young Adults Group. This year we consulted with numberous parents of children with new ASD diagnoses, and added to our resource library - now totaling 121 books/dvds available for free lending to families.
basketball
31 Children Little Rock Arkansas Baptist High School Community Connections piloted a basketball camp this summer in partnership with Arkansas Baptist High School. Kids learned skills and drills and had the opportunity to scrimmage. This 3 day camp was available to children ages 7-18. The Arkansas Baptist High School Men’s Basketball Team helped work with the kids in groups and individually each day. Each child received their own shirt and got to learn about ball handling, shooting techniques as well as the importance of team work and taking care of yourself on and of the court.
golf
31 Children Little Rock | Conway | Russellville Community Connections partners with The First Tee of Central Arkansas to provide a golf program for children ages 7-17 with special needs. The purpose of the golf program is to teach kids the game of golf in a positive, encouraging environment. The golfers spend time each day in the classroom learning the rules and etiquette of golf then take their skills onto the course to put the learning into action. All of the golfers are taught by instructors at The First Tee. This year we piloted golf clinics in Conway & Russellville in partnership with CSI. We extended the golf program to include summer and fall clinics at the First Tee in Little Rock.
martial arts
40 Children Conway Grandmaster Han’s Community Connections offered the Martial Arts program in partnership with Grandmaster Han’s in Conway. The program focused on following directions, discipline, integrity, and confidence with encouraging instructors praising kids for every effort and attempt. The Martial Arts program was held on the 2nd Saturday of every month from 10:00-11:00 a.m. for children ages 6-18. Typically developing children/teenagers who take martial arts lessons assisted our kids with special needs on the Saturday clinics.
music
35 Children Little Rock | Conway Community Connections Music is an eight week program that seeks to promote the benefits of music in children with special needs in expressing themselves and gaining confidence. The children were approached and enriched with ideas like: Music can be everywhere. Music can help me learn. Music can help me communicate. Music can help me create. This year we launched a second class where children who were more advanced received more in depth music instruction. Children also created their own instruments they got to take home.
rufl football
34 Children Conway | Braves Field Little Rock | Fellowship Bible Church The Rivals United Flag Football League was started by a group of committed football fans from Rivals.com who wanted to ensure all children, including kids with disabilities, would have the opportunity to play the game. Players, ages 7-17, get a chance to play quarterback, kicker, offense, and defense. The program is designed for every child to experience success and being part of a team. RUFL is run by coaches and volunteers who encourage and assist the players. Kids receive official jerseys and trophies at the end of the season. RUFL held a final game that included participants from both the Conway and Little Rock leagues. The event was held at the UCA Football Stadium prior to a UCA Bears game complete with tailgate & special television coverage from KATV Channel 7.
showstoppers cheer
28 Children Conway Showstoppers Cheerleading is offered through Community Connections for children with special needs ages 4-18. The program gives these young girls and boys the opportunity to cheer on a squad with peers and highlight their individual abilities. The squad does cheer clinics to learn routines and then performs at competitions and venues in various cities across central Arkansas along with typically developing cheer squads. The group performed at Cheer Force Showcase in Conway, the Jamfest Competition in Hot Springs, and the CheerSport Competition in Little Rock. Each cheerleader received an official uniform (and each girl received a bow) to wear during official competitions and performances.
top soccer
Conway | 50 Children | UCA Little Rock | 30 Children | Murray Park Russellville | 30 Children | Russellville High School TOP Soccer is an adapted soccer program for children with special needs, ages 3-18. TOP Soccer provides children the opportunity to participate in an organized soccer program in a safe, positive environment. The program is designed to give everyone a chance to play and to foster the values of teamwork, pride, and personal accomplishment. Volunteers act as “buddies” for those who need assistance. Players are separated by age and ability to create an equal environment for everyone.
2015 Financial Recap
2015 Summary of Program Expenses
Pediatrics Plus Community Connections, Inc.
Pediatrics Plus Community Connections, Inc.
Revenue
Expense
Net
45,000.00 25,214.55 0.00 $70,214.55
0.00 0.00 91,110.71 $91,110.71
45,000.00 25,214.55 -91,110.71 -$20,896.16
61,300.08 45,208.27 0.00 25,309.00 $131,817.35
13,443.90 0.00 0.00 54.24 $13,498.14
47,856.18 45,208.27 0.00 25,254.76 $118,319.21
ACTS Jr. Autism Resource Center Camp Connect Community Outreach/Events Family in Transition Music Martial Arts MITO Awareness Basketball Rivals United Football League Showstoppers Cheer Art TOPS Soccer Sub-Total
338.00 1,228.20 1,812.50 15.00 22,000.00 0.00 0.00 5,689.21 0.00 0.00 2,050.00 0.00 0.00 $33,132.91
15,853.47 2,717.93 4,894.86 838.26 20,044.45 2,339.73 900.00 2,411.20 1,516.07 3,393.60 2,708.50 2,087.24 2,341.77 $62,047.08
-15,515.47 -1,489.73 -3,082.36 -823.26 1,955.55 -2,339.73 -900.00 3,278.01 -1,516.07 -3,393.60 -658.50 -2,087.24 -2,341.77 -$28,914.17
Grand Total
$235,164.81
$166,655.93
$68,508.88
General & Administrative Board Member Contributions Other Donations/Income (see notes) Overhead Expenses Sub-Total Fundraising A Royal Night Out Greek Food Festival Golf/Taste of Med Trike-A-Thon Miscellaneous Fundraising (see notes) Sub-Total Programs
2015 Program Expenses:
ACTS Jr. Theatre Autism Resource Center Camp Connect Community Outreach/Events Family in Transition Music Martial Arts MITO Awareness Basketball RUFL Showstoppers Cheerleading Art TOP Soccer Total Program Expense
15,853.47 2,717.93 4,894.86 838.26 20,044.45 2,339.73 900.00 2,411.20 1,516.07 3,393.60 2,708.50 2,087.24 2,341.77 62,047.08
ACTS Jr. Theatre Autism Resource Center Camp Connect Community Outreach/Events Family in Transition Music Martial Arts
Other Donations/ Income: Friends of Community Connections United Way (River Valley and Faulkner County) Interest Income General Donations Total Miscellaneous Fundraising: Swing4Life Golf Tournament Acxiom Casual Day/Autism Awareness Kroger/Amazon Rewards Arkansas Gives Day Total
6,175.00 12,179.97 278.48 6,581.10 25,214.55
13,000.00 977.01 1,101.13 10,230.86 25,309.00
financial recap
MITO Awareness Basketball RUFL Showstoppers Cheerleading Art TOP Soccer
Every child. Every chance. Every day.
