Sandra & Matthew

Sandra learned her son, Mathew, had a disability when he was 3 ½ years old. “He was an active child and needed constant attention because of his special needs,” Sandra explains. “That made it difficult for me to do things like grocery shopping, or just having time for myself.” That’s when she decided to turn to the Volunteer Respite Care Program at Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin.

The program, funded by United Way, provides parents, children with special medical or emotional needs and siblings a much needed break at no cost to the family.

“It’s really been a lifesaver,” Sandra says. “It allowed me a chance to decompress and take care of my own needs.”

Respite care has been proven to reduce family stress and isolation, enhance family coping skills, and support family stability.

Events are planned for program participants at various locations each month. Sandra says, “Everybody gets something out of it. The volunteers there really want to help – and your kids get that one-on-one time they need.”

Now at age 20 – Mathew’s involvement in the program continues, and his mother and sister, Laura, are now volunteers. “It’s such a great program, and I got so much help from it. Now I want to give back.” Sandra says.