Variety The Childrens Charity Of St Louis

VARIETY EMPOWERS CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, THERAPY, AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS.

CORE PROGRAM: EQUIPMENT - MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ENCOMPASSES A WIDE RANGE OF MEDICALLY PRESCRIBED EQUIPMENT WITH AN EQUALLY WIDE RANGE OF BENEFITS. THESE VITAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT INCREASE A CHILD'S MOBILITY (WHEELCHAIRS, STANDERS, WALKERS, ORTHOTICS) AS WELL AS IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES (HEARING AIDS AND COMMUNICATION DEVICES). THE HIGH COSTS AND INADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE MAKE THESE TOOLS UNAFFORDABLE AND INACCESSIBLE FOR FAMILIES SO VARIETY PROVIDES THIS VITAL EQUIPMENT TO CHILDREN WHOSE NEEDS WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNMET. IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, VARIETY SERVED 372 CHILDREN AND PROVIDED 497 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. THIS EQUIPMENT WAS UTILIZED BY CHILDREN FOR OVER 2.2 MILLION HOURS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. 95% OF VARIETY CHILDREN SURVEYED REPORTED THEY HAD GAINED SKILLS THEY NEED TO ENGAGE AND EXPERIENCE THEIR WORLD AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE.

ENRICHMENT PROGRAM: RECREATION - VARIETY ADVENTURE CAMP FEATURES A SIX-WEEK LONG INNOVATIVE AND ACCESSIBLE CAMP PROGRAM IN THE SUMMER AND A WEEKLONG SESSION IN THE WINTER. THE CAMPS ARE OPERATED FOR CHILDREN AGES 4- 20 WITH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES ARE DESIGNED TO INCREASE CHILDREN'S ENGAGEMENT WITH PEERS, CLASSMATES, AND FAMILY, TO DEVELOP CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITIES, AND TO DEMONSTRATE POSITIVE BELIEF IN THEMSELVES AND THEIR POSSIBILITIES. CAMPERS RECEIVE ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE FROM SPECIALLY TRAINED COUNSELORS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AS THEY LEARN NEW SKILLS, SUCH AS ROCK CLIMBING, BASKETBALL, TENNIS, COOKING, MUSIC, ART, BICYCLING, ICE-SKATING, AND FISHING WHILE SOCIALIZING WITH THEIR PEERS AND MAKING LONG LASTING FRIENDSHIPS. A TOTAL OF 254 VARIETY CHILDREN ATTENDED CAMP IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, PARTICIPATING IN OVER 14,500 HOURS OF INNOVATIVE AND ENGAGING CAMP PROGRAMMING. THE IMPACT OF ADVENTURE CAMP IS EVIDENT AS 89% OF CAMPERS SURVEYED DEMONSTRATED AN INCREASE IN INDEPENDENCE AT HOME, SCHOOL OR IN THE COMMUNITY; WITH 91% OF CHILDREN HAVING INITIATED FRIENDSHIPS AND INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER CAMPERS AND COUNSELORS THAT IMPROVED THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS. LAUNCHED IN FISCAL YEAR 2022, VARIETY CONTINUED IN FY2023 A PARTNERSHIP WITH BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TO CREATE A VENTURING CREW FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AGES 14-20. PARTICIPANTS LEARN LEADERSHIP SKILLS, PURSUE THEIR SPECIAL INTERESTS TO BECOME GOOD CITIZENS, INCREASE SOCIALIZATION SKILLS AND HAVE A CHANCE TO LEARN AND GROW IN A SUPPORTIVE, CARING AND FUN ENVIRONMENT BY ORGANIZING, PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES.

CORE PROGRAM: THERAPY - THERAPY IS CRITICAL FOR CHILDREN TO IMPROVE STRENGTH, ENDURANCE, AND MOBILITY, WHILE ALSO INCREASING THEIR LEVELS OF INDEPENDENCE AT HOME AND SCHOOL. VARIETY ENSURES THAT CHILDREN WHO NEED PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH, AQUA OR HIPPOTHERAPY ARE ABLE TO ACCESS REGULAR SESSIONS, AND THAT COST DOES NOT PREVENT A CHILD FROM RECEIVING THIS CARE SO IMPORTANT TO THEIR OVERALL HEALTH. IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, VARIETY PROVIDED AN ALL-TIME RECORD OF 3,942 THERAPY SESSIONS (9% INCREASE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR) TO 211 CHILDREN, WHICH ALSO REFLECTS RECORD GROWTH OF 4% MORE CHILDREN SERVED. PARENTS REPORTED THAT 92% OF VARIETY CHILDREN RECEIVING THERAPY DEMONSTRATED BELIEF IN THEMSELVES, AND THEIR ABILITIES.