FOUNDER OF UNIQUE CARE CONNECT COMMUNITY CENTER

Zee Kennedy assumed guardianship of her mentally disabled sister, who just reached the age of 27 and aged out of the system. Fueled by the awareness of the challenges faced by individuals of all ages and all abilities, she has made it her life’s mission to alleviate this profound struggle. Her mission is to create something essential—a beacon of hope, a reminder that no one is alone, and a collective effort to support each other. Above all, it's a commitment to showing our special needs community that help is on the way.

Her goal for Unique Care Connect Community Center is to create a secure environment, fostering sense of belonging, while also assisting them in accessing housing, employment, and opportunities that are often challenging to secure in other settings.

FOUNDER OF FEED THE NEED SENSORY ZONE

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FOUNDER OF UNIQUE CARE CONNECT COMMUNTY CENTER

For more infomation about Feed The Need Sensory Zone, visit feedtheneedsensoryzone.org.

Tiana Haygood established this organization because she saw a need for her son and others with challenges similar to his to have an outlet within their community to be their authentic selves. Tiana’s son Levi was diagnosed at the age of 3 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. He has received various therapies to treat his symptoms and enable him a productive and engaging quality of life, but Levi is happiest and shows the most growth and potential when he is allowed space and time to engage in his favorite activities. His school has a sensory room that he absolutely loves. His bedroom is filled with sensory items that calm and engage him. But she realized that not every child and family had access to these sensory-friendly materials and settings. This is the reason the Feed the Need Autism and Special Needs Activity Center has been birthed.

Feed the Need Sensory Zone is classified as a public charity under the IRC Section 501(c)(3) and is headquartered in Southeast Michigan. Feed the Need's BIG GOAL is to provide a fun, safe, judgment-free mobile resource facility (Sensory Bus) for families affected by Autism and other cognitive and sensory differences. Our goal is to encourage play, exploration, and socialization through a variety of physical, occupational, and social therapeutic tools.

With the help of friends and our supporters, we believe that this organization will enable families to grow together and allow our community members to thrive.

FOUNDER OF UNIQUE CARE CONNECT APP

Steven Weideman, meeting his lifelong best friends, Anthony and Anthony's twin brother Christopher, in the 1st Grade. Christopher was diagnosed with autism at an early age. Steven, Christopher, and Anthony were inseparable throughout their childhoods and did not let Chris's condition stop them from doing what they loved.

As the group got older, Steven was devastated to learn Christopher's condition would result in him being placed in a different school system. After this event, Steven began to notice more unique challenges that arose involving Christopher's quality of life. Steven decided to take action and become involved with the special needs community, getting to know a variety of families, teachers, and caregivers. After countless conversations, it became apparent that finding beneficial resources regarding individuals with mental and cognitive disabilities was a painstaking task, and obtaining access to these resources was even more difficult.

During the mass quarantines of 2020 when finding help became a burden for everyone in the world, Steven had the idea for Unique Care Connect. APP.

This APP will be a virtual platform that will provide Respite Care for our special needs community.