SNACK means so much to our family, and especially Sam. It has completely changed his life for the better. Every Saturday and Sunday morning when asked where he is going, he says, "snacka?" with excitement and enthusiasm in his voice. For most children, after school and weekend recreational programs are easily found, and there are many choices. For Sam, it took us years to find a program of SNACK'S caliber where Sam could flourish, learn, and play with the support he needed. Because of Sam's developmental delays and his limited language, other than school and therapy, SNACK was the first and remains the only place we can leave him knowing that he is safe, understood, and respected for who he is. SNACK and its dedicated staff have provided us with invaluable information on autism services and have been a lifeline and constant support for our family. Most importantly, the people at SNACK are Sam's biggest fans!
- Jackie G., Sam's Mom
Our son, Grant, has been a "SNACK kid" for a little over 4 years now. During this time, Grant has learned to swim, play musical chairs, play soccer, paint, and so much more. He loves to go! We recently began the new semester after a break and Grant raced into SNACK, eager to get started. It is such a pleasure to see him laughing and having a good time with other children. SNACK is a real oasis in Manhattan for parents of children with special needs. Finding appropriate educational and therapy services for our children is challenging enough -- finding a place like SNACK- that offers an appropriate setting for our kids to have fun, to play with other children and to develop social skills -- is close to impossible. All parents of special needs children have experienced the feeling of being told that a program "cannot deal with" their child or have heard of a program that they would love their child to participate in, but you just know is not going to be staffed appropriately with the properly trained individual to manage your child's needs. What Jackie has created is really quite special. The team at SNACK are all dedicated and talented individuals that care deeply about every child that walks through their doors. It is a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment -- no child is ever turned away because of their disability. And it's not just about the kids - SNACK provides educational seminars for parents as well as an opportunity to network with and share experiences with other parents facing similar challenges. Our family's quality of life is that much better because of SNACK. It's been great for Grant; he has really made some nice progress since he started there. The staff at SNACK are not just the people that work with our son - they are our friends - and that is what makes it such a special place.
- Dave S., Grant’s Dad
We moved to New York from Europe almost 5 years ago. When we arrived, George could not sit still for more than 15 seconds at a time, and was literally bouncing off the walls. We were very fortunate to meet Jackie Ceonzo, the founder of SNACK, shortly after our arrival when the center was in its infancy. Thanks in no small part to the great work performed by the staff at SNACK, George's life has been utterly transformed. His focus and overall abilities have improved dramatically and he is now a much more grounded and happy boy, particularly when he is at SNACK. We applaud the many organizations that fund research to find a cure - SNACK is here for all the kids not quite cured yet and we can't wait for the day that the services are no longer needed -- we are thankful that the SNACK staff are there each and every week for our family and those like us.
- Richard B., George's Dad
Jackie and SNACK simply understand Dusty and how to work with kids on the Spectrum. We do many sports with Dusty, but his progress at SNACK has been exponential in a short period of time. Great place, great staff.
- Mike S., Dusty's Dad
Many people don't realize that we have a brother with autism. The cutie with a contagious smile is Pierre. He's now 13 and he's come a long way. The smile he wears today is the result of years of hard work and struggle. When he was little, Pierre was isolated from the world, unable to recognize people's faces or to adapt to any foreign environment. Five years ago, in the effort to allow Pierre to be a regular kid, our mother dragged him to SNACK (Special Needs Activity Center for Kids) kicking and screaming. It was the only program that would "deal" with him. Today, Pierre can't wait to go to SNACK to have fun and see his friends. The skills Pierre acquired at SNACK, such as swimming, teamwork and following group directions during SNACKtivities, are taken for granted by regular families. However, without SNACK, Pierre would still be struggling with these basic, yet crucial skills. Now, our brother always looks forward to SNACK, where he can be himself, have fun, and improve despite himself. He will carry what he's learned at SNACK into his adulthood. Now he is able to participate in programs that would have rejected him before. SNACK has truly been a turning point in Pierre's life. All three of us were able to volunteer at SNACK over the past few years and witnessed first hand how much this program means to these kids and their families. It's really refreshing to find yourself in an environment where there is no judgment and so much love.
- Natalie, Camille & Rose, Pierre's Sisters
My son and I love going to SNACK. It's like coming home. It's a place where everybody knows your name, you can talk about issues with educated peopple or you can just be yourself and feel safe. We need more places like this for our kids.
- Liz U., Jacob's Mom
Thanks to all of you who support SNACK and our exceptional children. Finding an afterschool program for our daughter Ruby, who has autism, was no easy task. Last year Ruby attended an afterschool program with typical children with a one-on-one aide. Ruby's speech development and other social skills were so far behind her peers that she was being mocked by the other children and she couldn't understand what was going on a lot of the time. This program was not appropriate for her, because Ruby requires such close and specialized supervision to follow directions and to interact appropriately in her environment. David and I were left with very few choices regarding her after school activities this year. And any parent of a child with autism understands that unstructured time can be the most challenging time for our children. If Ruby is at home after school without structure, she may lie on the couch and stare at an object she finds interesting, or repetitively fill and pour water from a container. This is unproductive time for her. SNACK is a place Ruby has gone to after school that provides the structure and support she so desperately needs. She is learning social skills that come naturally to typical children, such as learning how to take turns. She is supported by phenomenal staff that understands her unique sensory needs, like her desire to jump or scream. The staff at SNACK knows exactly how to respond to Ruby without batting an eyelash. And most importantly, she is having fun! Ruby runs into SNACK with a big smile, and doesn't look back.
- Bridget & David R., Ruby's Mom & Dad
SNACK was the best money that we ever spent. Our son was happy, active, and engaged. He thrived at the day camp, and the staff was wonderful. They were caring, and really worked well with the children. They made sure that our son ate properly, and kept me informed about his day-to-day activities. We cannot say enough good things about this program.
-Ila and Hugh L., parents
SNACK has been just wonderful for my son, Jack. The instructors are all patient and creative, and Jack has a great time at every session. My husband and I are consistently amazed at the social and athletic progress that Jack has made, all thanks to the great programs at SNACK. I only wish I had more room in his schedule to sign him up for everything offered! We are so grateful to have found a program that really understands how our “special” kids really are special in so many ways.
-Melanie C.., Jack's Mom
For my son Pierre, SNACK is a place where he has fun. He loves the swim and sports program. He keeps track on his calendar what days he is going and he smiles the whole time he is there! For me, I know he is learning life skills - probably more important than any academic achievement at school. He is learning to relate with the other children at sports...to anticipate the throwing of the ball...to read body language...to function as a group. All of this is exactly what children with autism cannot do. In addition, he is learning to swim, something that I am sure will save his life one day.
-Catherine L., Pierre's Mom
With so much yet to be learned about children who are classified on the spectrum, I am happy to know that SNACK is one of the few but necessary resources that is able to meet a myriad of needs for children and their families. The expansion of programs and services that SNACK provides is testimony to what can be done, when talent, professionalism and an ever encouraging staff work toward helping special needs children become all that they can be.
-Geraldine P., parent and family therapist
My son is 10 years old. As he gets older he is more aware that he's " Different ". He is starting to seek out others but really does not have the tools to " fit in ". Thanks to the swim and sports program at SNACK, he can be himself. It doesn't matter how challenged he is, the staff meet him 99% of the way and enable him to play and have fun! His smiles say it all!
- Catherine L., parent
