Sharing Smiles by megan

Sharing Smiles by megan - February 2020 Scholarship Essay

Nonprofit organizations can have a huge impact on not only the people that are involved in them, but the people surrounding them as well. If I were to start a nonprofit organization, it would be one that helps support not only children with special needs, but their families and the community as well.
Why special needs children? Well, from my earliest memories I have had a place in my heart for children and adults with special needs. Since I began my education at Beverly Elementary, I have made it a point to involve myself with the special-needs children at my schools. I get such joy from doing whatever I can to help them grow and understand they are part of the community. I can’t imagine a better use of my efforts related to non-profit work than starting an organization involving people with special needs.
I would name it “Sharing Smiles” and the idea behind it would be to travel all around the country setting up day-long events filled with activities for children and adults alike. This would simply be a day where kids with special needs get to come and have fun alongside their peers from the community. The goal would be to reach out to as many families of special needs children and their neighbors as possible. By bringing the entire community together, individuals with special needs and their families would know they have a support system.
Hopefully by starting this nonprofit, it would also have the impact on others who are uneducated on the lives of those with special needs. Many times, people with special needs are misunderstood and deemed lower functioning than any other person. Often-times, this is rooted in ignorance. I would love to be a part of an outreach program that teaches all involved to overcome their fears of the unknown. Sharing Smiles would be an inviting organization that is welcome to everyone and makes a positive impact on the world one community at a time.