Nathaniel’s Hope

Nathaniel’s Hope was founded in 2002. Through their personal experience with their son Nathaniel, co-founders Tim and Marie Kuck saw first-hand how demanding it can be to raise a child with special needs. It was through Nathaniel’s life that they were introduced into the world of disability, and once he passed away, they realized it was a world they couldn’t leave — a world God had brought them into. As a result, Nathaniel’s Hope was born.

Nathaniel’s Hope is dedicated to providing Hope and practical assistance to kids with special needs (what they call VIP Kids) and their families. VIP kids are those with any physical, cognitive, medical, or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, or those who are medically fragile.

One out of 10 kids under the age of 14 has some kind of special need. Nathaniel’s Hope brings joy and celebrates kids with special needs and families with special events throughout the year.

The weight and stress of raising a child with special needs can be overwhelming, and opportunities for parents to get a break are rare. That’s why Nathaniel’s Hope provides Buddy Break: a monthly, free Parents’ Day Out and respite program where kids with all types of special needs have fun and are safe while their parents get a break. At Buddy Break, kids and their siblings make new friends, play games, do crafts, hear children’s stories, and enjoy music! Meanwhile, parents get a break from their ongoing caregiving responsibilities and the security of knowing their kids are safe with highly trained Buddy Break volunteers.

Photos via NathanielsHope.org.