Cavett Kids Foundation

TO DEVELOP CHARACTER, COPING, AND CONNECTION WITH KIDS BATTLING LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES.

IN 2022, OUR CAMPS WERE BACK IN FULL SWING AND WE WERE EVEN ABLE TO ADD SOME NEW OPPORTUNITIES. WE HOSTED OUR SIX REGULAR CAMPS AND PARTNERED WITH SOONER SUCCESS TO HOST A NEW CAMP -"SIBLING CAMP" - WHICH SERVES CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AS WELL AS THEIR SIBLINGS. THIS CAMP IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE STATE OF THIS TYPE, AND LIKE ALL OUR CAMPS, WAS OFFERED COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE. WE ALSO KICKED OFF A NEW TRANSITIONS READINESS GROUP WHICH HOSTED A SMALL GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND SENIORS FOR MONTHLY LEARNING SESSIONS TO HELP THEM BECOME MORE SUCCESSFUL AND PREPARED YOUNG ADULTS. THEY LEARNED ABOUT BASIC CAR/HOME REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, HEALTHY COOKING ON A BUDGET, MENTAL HEALTH, HOW TO SET UP YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR, THE POWER OF INVESTING AND HOW CREDIT SCORES WORK, WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IN A CAR WRECK, RESUME BUILDING, AND MORE. IN ADDITION, OUR "CAVETT CARES" EMERGENCY FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM WAS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH SERVING MORE FAMILIES THAN EVER BEFORE, PROVIDING OVER $50,000 IN SUPPORT FOR CAMPER FUNERALS, CAR REPAIRS, GROCERIES, RENT ASSISTANCE AND UTILITIES. WE CONTINUED OUR ALUMNI WEEKEND WHICH REUNITES THOSE WHO HAVE AGED OUT OF OUR CAMPS AND PROVIDES A CAMPER REUNION FOR OUR YOUNG ADULTS. OUR DIVERSIONARY PLAY PROGRAM REMAINED LOW IN VOLUNTEER NUMBERS DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS BUT PROGRESS WAS MADE EVEN WITH THE CONTINUALLY CHANGING GUIDELINES. IN CONCLUSION, OUR CAMP SURVEYS SHOWED POSITIVE STRIDES IN FRIENDSHIP-MAKING SKILLS, INDEPENDENCE, KNOWLEDGE OF ONE'S OWN MEDICAL NEEDS AND RESTRICTIONS, AS WELL AS IMPROVED SELF-CONFIDENCE. THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS, WE ARE SEEING OUR CAVETT KIDS GROW BEYOND THEIR DIAGNOSES. THEY ARE NOT JUST SURVIVING, THEY ARE THRIVING.

OUR TRANSITION GROUP HOSTS YOUNG ADULTS, AGES 15-24, BATTLING CHRONIC OR LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES FOR FUN, QUARTERLY EVENTS TO HELP PREPARE THEM FOR ADULTHOOD, MANAGING THEIR ILLNESSES AS WELL AS BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT. AT THESE EVENTS, OUR TRANSITIONS CAMPERS CAN CONNECT WITH OTHERS, SHARE IN THEIR COMMON STRUGGLES, BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS, AND SET GOALS FOR THE FUTURE IN A FUN AND INVITING ATMOSPHERE.

DIVERSIONARY PLAY IS A PROGRAM WHICH MATCHES VOLUNTEERS WITH THE CLINICS OF OU CHILDREN'S PHYSICIANS AND PROVIDES ARTS, CRAFTS, GAMES AND EVEN HOLIDAY PARTIES FOR THE PATIENTS WHILE THEY WAIT TO SEE THE DOCTOR. THIS WAY, KIDS CAN BE FILLED WITH EXCITING AND ENGAGING ACTIVITIES INSTEAD OF WORRY AND ANXIETY ABOUT THEIR APPOINTMENT.

DIALYSIS REWARDS OFFERS A POSITIVE REWARDS PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN ON DIALYSIS. THESE CHILDREN MISS OUT ON SO MUCH OF EVERDAY CHILDHOOD DUE TO THEIR TREATMENTS (WHICH MOST OFTEN INCLUDE FOUR HOUR TREATMENTS, THREE TIMES PER WEEK) THAT WE CREATED A PROGRAM TO REWARD THEM TO EARN POINTS FOR SHOWING UP FOR APPOINTMENTS ON TIME, FOLLOWING THEIR DIET, TAKING THEIR MEDICATIONS AND WORKING TOWARDS PERSONAL GOALS. THE POINTS CAN THEN BE CASHED IN FOR PRIZES LIKE A BARBIE CAR, NEW GAME, STORE GIFT CARD AND MORE.