“As a church, we need to put our arms of love around families touched by autism.”  In other words, all of our hearts need to be touched by autism!

I want to highlight a church in Jacksonville, Florida who is doing just that.  For the past several years, Dearmeadows Baptist Church on Baymeadows Road has been offering a monthly Saturday morning respite program for parents raising special needs children.

This program is called Buddy Break.  A trained “buddy” greets each special needs child and stays with him or her throughout the morning as parents are given time to run errands or just relax.

I mention this particular program in my book, “Strong and Courageous: Encouragement for Families Touched by Autism.”  I am familiar with it because I have dropped my own grandson off there many Saturday mornings.  He is always greeted by smiling faces and volunteers who know his name.  He loves it and is always enthusiastic about going!

This particular church also offers special needs children the opportunity to attend summer Vacation Bible School right along with all of the other children. This is made possible by caring people who volunteer to be a child’s buddy for that week.

I know that many of our churches are working hard to help meet the needs of special needs children and their families.  May God bless each of you as you continue to open your hearts and reach out to these families with arms of love!