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Youth SMILE 4 Special Needs

One focus of HCO’s work is on service and advocacy for the special needs community. Building on their experiences with a local adult special needs caring center since 2021, our officers leveraged HCO to promote outreach and expand accessible, inclusive events and programs for individuals with special needs. Our service and advocacy efforts aim to promote a more accessible, inclusive, and bias-free world for individuals with special needs of all ages. HCO is unique in its focus on encouraging youth, specifically, to participate in and lead these events. "Youth SMILE 4 Special Needs" is an umbrella program and partnered with the Alliance of Youth Leaders in the United States - Pearland branch. It currently consists of four programs: "Bucket Drumming for All," which uses music to promote coordination and social interaction; "SMILE Inclusive Play and Learn," providing semi-structured play-based learning for individuals of all ages; "Youth Led SMILE Camp," offering structured summer experiences with intense learning and training through inclusive games and activities; and "Pearland My PlayClub," which hosts monthly inclusive play events to raise community awareness and promote inclusion. Together, these programs empower youth to take leadership roles while creating supportive environments for individuals with special needs.

Program Ambassador

Emma and Alice

history

In September 2023, the leadership team mentored local youth organizations to start "SMILE Inclusive Play and Learn," an event for school-aged children with special needs to have fun through games and activities. These events have occurred 24 times since then across three different locations: Katy, West Houston, and Greater Dallas. In 2024, our president, Aila Jiang, initiated the introduction of a new youth-led curriculum for special needs activities at the Light & Salt Association’s SMILE day program. At this program, HCO officers designed and implemented structured, multi-skill lesson plans and held weekly training sessions for volunteers. Additionally, to further test the curriculum, officers coordinated and taught the inaugural bucket drumming program at the Houston and Sugar Land locations of Gigi’s Playhouse, a Down syndrome achievement center. After leading sessions for kids, teens, and adults over eight weeks, HCO plans to train local student organizations to continue the program.

Bucket Drumming for All

  • 3 locations

  • 3 age groups

  • Teen's class at GiGi’s Sugarland, a Down Syndrome Achievement Centers

  • Kid's class at GiGi’s Sugarland & GiGi’s Houston

  • Adult's class at GiGi’s Houston & Easter Seals Greater Houston Adult Day Program

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Being the Leader Game

Teens are eagerly being the "leaders"

Being the Leader Game

Teens are eagerly being the "leaders"

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Traffic Light Game

A first timer drummer bravely be the traffic light

Traffic Light Game

A first timer drummer bravely be the traffic light

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Traffic Light Game

A non-verbal individual was enthusiastic in giving instruction to fellow drummers using the communication device

Traffic Light Game

A non-verbal individual was enthusiastic in giving instruction to fellow drummers using the communication device

Youth Led SMILE Camp

  • Exercises

  • Music

  • Arts & Crafts

  • Cooking/Healthy Liviing

  • Lift Skills Training

  • Communication

  • Shopping/Bargaining

  • Sales skill training

Mini Market Simulation

Youth volunteers taught campers money Concept

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Mini Market Simulation

Youth volunteers taught campers money Concept

Mini Market Simulation

Campers worked on choice making

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Mini Market Simulation

Campers worked on choice making

Mini Market Simulation

Campers learned planning & bugeting skills

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Mini Market Simulation

Campers learned planning & budgeting skills

Pearland My PlayClub

  • Monthly

  • Face painting

  • Arts & Crafts

  • Bucket Drumming

  • Adaptive Game Sets

  • Buddies on the playground

  • Resource Booth

  • Clown Show

  • Petting Zoo

  • Holiday Portraits

  • Mini Olympics

SMILE Inclusive Play and Learn

  • Ongoing

  • My Playclub outreached program

  • 3 Locations

  • Katy

  • West Houston

  • Greater Dallas

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