Partners In Learning (PIL) has announced its 7th Annual Valentine’s Dinner, a special event dedicated to families raising children with diverse needs. This year’s dinner was held on Feb. 7 at Partners In Learning at the Woods in the SECU Clinical and Family Services community center. 

The event offered parents and caregivers a much-needed evening of respite. While parents enjoyed a quiet, relaxing dinner together, their children got to participate in a fun-filled pizza party in a separate, supervised room. This unique setup allows parents to reconnect and recharge, knowing their children are in a safe and caring environment. 

“We understand the unique challenges faced by families raising children with diverse needs,” Clinical Services Director Cassie Karriker said. “Our Valentine’s Dinner is a small way for us to show our support and provide these incredible families with a night to themselves. It’s a chance for them to enjoy a meal without worry, knowing their children are having a great time too.” 

The dinner was sponsored by Outback Steakhouse, and the event was staffed entirely by PIL volunteers. That community support made it possible for PIL to provide this service to families at no cost. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Outback Steakhouse for their continued partnership and generosity,” Executive Director Norma Honeycutt said. “Their support, along with the tireless efforts of our volunteers, makes this special evening possible.

“Partners In Learning is committed to supporting all children and families, however we recognize the additional challenges parents of diverse children face, and want to be a haven of support and comfort. Connecting parents of children with diverse needs offers vital emotional support, reduces isolation and facilitates the sharing of resources and information crucial for navigating the often complex systems related to caring for a child with diverse needs. Providing these parents with respite and breaks prevents burnout and strengthens their ability to care for their children, ultimately creating a more supportive and inclusive community.”

Family members that were there embraced the inclusivity of the evening.

“It was nice to sit down and spend time with other adults and parents and realize we are not alone,” attending parent Stephanie Vogel said. 

Reflecting on her experience, attending parent Ashley Henderson said, “This event was a wonderful event for the parents of the community to come together and talk about the commonalities they have with their children who have special needs. It was a self-care moment for families to decompress and experience a great evening together. I thank PIL all the staff and volunteers for the work that went into creating this event.” 

Some key statistics surrounding parents of children with diverse needs: 

• Prevalence: Approximately 1 in 5 families in the U.S. have a child with special needs.
• Financial strain: Families with children with special needs often face significant financial burdens due to medical expenses, therapies and specialized equipment. Many report spending over $4,000 annually out-of-pocket on these expenses.
• Time commitment: Parents of children with special needs often dedicate a significant amount of time to caregiving, with some spending over 40 hours per week, equivalent to a full-time job.
• Emotional impact: Parents of children with special needs are at a higher risk for experiencing stress, anxiety and depression due to the challenges of caregiving and navigating complex systems.
• Lack of support: Many parents report feeling a lack of adequate support and resources, with over 59 percent saying there is too little information available about financial assistance and benefits.