About Us
The mission of SNACK*, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, is to fill a void in the lives of children, teens, and adults of all abilities by providing after-school and weekend recreational programs designed and staffed to address their needs. SNACK* also provides prevocational training and supported employment opportunities. Our mission is accomplished by establishing activity programs that offer a variety of group and individual activities to provide these children with the help they need to thrive – the opportunity to make friends, improve skill levels, build confidence, work, and participate in activities that typical kids do everyday and have some fun.
At SNACK*, children of ALL abilities are welcome including those with no diagnosis. ALL SNACK* activities are open to the general public.
SNACK* provides specialized instructional techniques not available in other programs and is committed to never turning a child away—no matter how challenging the behaviors. We strongly believe that everyone deserves to have the same opportunities available to typically developing children in an environment that is committed to their success.
A key philosophy of SNACK* is to accept children of all capabilities, through our no “in-take” policy. We offer free trial classes and families decide if SNACK* is right for their child, not the other way around. SNACK'S activity programs are devoted to “Fun, Friends, and Hope” and welcome those with physical disabilities, verbal and non-verbal language abilities, across all socio-economic, race, and ethnic backgrounds.
SNACK* programs, geared toward children, teens, and young adults ages 3-21, are designed and staffed to address challenging behavioral issues, increase skill levels and promote improved social interaction. SNACK* also provides pre-vocational training, supported employment opportunities, along with classes and activities for adults 21+. A variety of group and individual activities are offered including: art, music, movement, yoga, game time, soccer, sports and swimming, that run across seven days of the week, in three locations. Vacation time programs provide a continuum of services that spans 42 weeks per year. Additionally, parent education and community outings provide further socialization opportunities to the children and their families.
At SNACK*, children learn to participate in purposeful play and everyday childhood activities that don’t come as easily to them as they do typical children. The ratio of students to staff is not more than 2:1, class size limit (maximum 8 per class); use of the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to manage behavior and provide reinforcement, and our staff’s unique skill set, enables the children who participate to make progress.
SNACK* staff includes teachers and teaching assistants from special needs schools, many trained in the science of ABA. Our Activity Leaders are comprised of those individuals certified in their particular discipline such as art therapy, drama, yoga, movement, swimming and sports. At SNACK*, parents can be confident that their child is safe, happy, and having fun!