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Sometimes, people with IDD do not have as many opportunities to volunteer in the community as they would like. This may happen for several reasons:

Some people think that people with disabilities can only receive service and cannot give back to others.

Volunteer groups and coordinators may not have experience working with people with IDD and may not know how or have enough staff to support them to volunteer.

Volunteer locations may not be accessible to people with IDD.

A person with IDD may need support with health needs while they volunteer.

People may struggle to find transportation to or from a volunteering.

People with IDD may not know how to express their interest in volunteering or where to find volunteer opportunities in their community.

People with IDD may not want to volunteer because they want a paid job.

Many people perceive people with disabilities as the ones in need of service. However, people with disabilities are a key part of civic engagement across the country.

People volunteer every day to build confidence, job skills, and work experience. Volunteering helps job seekers network and build relationships that can lead to employment. It also provides chances to build friendships and networks of support.

People can and should be empowered to give back to their communities. When everyone participates, it's a win-win!

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People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can serve their communities in many ways. Learn more about Inclusive volunteering!

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Visit the official site of Girl Scouts of the USA-where Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Girls, parents, and alum can join, volunteer, or reconnect.

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Trail Life USA | Adventure, Character, Leadership

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Trail Life USA is a Christ-centered, boy-focused mentoring program that engages boys in service & outdoor adventure to develop godly & courageous leaders.

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Scouting is fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today - and for life.

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Make a Difference in Your Area

US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer ( The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities offered only through local US Youth Soccer-affiliated soccer clubs. TOPSoccer provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive.

How do I participate?
Easily find your State Associations local TOPSoccer clubs by clicking here.
Then, you may contact your State Association office, or the listed local TOPSoccer club contact, to find out more about getting involved with a local USYS TOPSoccer program.

Benefits for Participants

SOCIAL SKILLS - Players interact with their volunteer Buddy and other athletes in a fun, group setting and learn proper social behaviors.

TEAMWORK - Players learn to trust someone else and rely on them through soccer activities and games.

PERSEVERANCE - Players might encounter difficulties with activities, but they will be encouraged to keep trying and overcome challenges.

CONFIDENCE - Players will achieve success on the field that carries over to their lives off the field in so many ways!

Differentiators of TOPSoccer

BUDDIES - Each participant is assigned a volunteer, trained 'Buddy' who is typically a little older and neurotypical. This Buddy works with their player individually and makes sure they are safe, engaged, supported, and having fun. The player-Buddy relationship is maintained throughout the course of a season, resulting in strong interpersonal bonds and an establishment of trust and confidence that allows each player to achieve their full potential.

COACHES - TOPSoccer coaches and administrators have taken formal USYS education and certification training that assists them in successfully delivering the program. In addition to providing coaching strategies and tactics specifically for children with special needs, the training identifies the traits of the most common disabilities and provides guidance on how to modify typical soccer practice activities so everyone can be successful.

GROUPINGS - Players are grouped by ability, not just age, such that they can develop at their own pace and participate amongst others with similar abilities.

Getting Started

1. Identify the need in your area. For what type of disabilities do you need to plan? Are you able to fulfill these needs?

2. Check for any restrictions placed on the facility you plan to use. Are they equipped to handle athletes with physical disabilities?

3. Check with your soccer insurance carrier.

4. Contact established programs for information. (US Youth Soccer, Special Olympics, United Cerebral Pals, Shriners)

5. Contact your local school districts and universities.

6. Create a list of people who are able to assist you.

7. Plan your advertisements.

8. Get the support of your State Association and Regional -TOPSoccer Representative, and use them as resources.

Placement and Registration of Athletes

Registration procedures should be the same as those used for regular league teams: should include a section for medical history. Athletes with Down syndrome should be required to have a current x-ray. If the x-ray is positive for their safety, it should be strongly recommended that they do not take part in team play, and in some cases, medical waivers may be required.

Placement is made by ability, not age.

Assessment tests should be made available upon request.

Ensure that the experience is meaningful for the participating athletes and one in which they feel they have made a contribution.

Creating Your Program

The unique thing about TOPSoccer is that each program is different and is created around the needs of the participants. Additionally, TOPSoccer athletes are placed on teams according to ability, not age.

Length of program is determined by the organizer (6-8 weeks)

Playing rules: Create rules to fit specific needs and use the US Youth Soccer Under-6, Under-8 or Under-10 guidelines

TOPSoccer programs can have very modest beginnings.

For those athletes not able to participate due to medical reasons, design a skills program that is rewarding, challenging and fun.

Variety of choices: Small-sided games (3 v 3, 4 v 4, 8 v 8, etc.), full-sided games (11v11), unified teams (ratio of challenged athletes to non-challenged athletes), indoor programs outdoor program, camp, skills only

Above all... keep it simple... KEEP IT FUN!

Helpful Hints

Use color coded goals or nets (e.g., red goals/yellow nets).

Have scrimmage vests available.

Have a ball for each athlete.

HAVE FUN!

Cost Involved

Costs vary depending upon your registration fees and insurance fees, and uniform and equipment costs.

Cost should be kept low and affordable to all possible participants.

There are philanthropic entities, such as the Shriners which offer assistance. Research others in the local community (Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, etc.).

Approach local companies or corporations for cash or in-kind donations.

Recruiting Coaches

Contact local universities, schools, and soccer clubs for volunteers. The State Coach or Director of Coaching for the state association is also a good source for coaches. No special training is required, however, it is available through US Youth Soccer and state association-sponsored coaching courses as well as through Special Olympics.

Committee Member

Position

Email

PARENT & PLAYER RESOURCES

US Youth Soccer is a proud member of the US Soccer Disability Soccer Committee (DSC), which promotes its activity through the ADAPTandTHRIVE moniker. TOPSoccer is the largest grassroots member of the DSC focused exclusively on soccer. Please click on the link below for more information on the DSC. ( https://www.ussoccer.com/adaptandthrive)

US Youth Soccer is a proud member of the United Adaptive Soccer Association (UASA). This organization is a 501-c-3 non-profit focused on increasing awareness and opportunity for the disability soccer community in the US. Please click on the link below for more information ( https://unitedadaptivesoccer.com/)

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US Youth Soccer is a proud member of the US Soccer Disability Soccer Committee (DSC), which promotes its activity through the ADAPTandTHRIVE moniker. TOPSoccer is the largest grassroots member of [...]

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The Little League Challenger Division® was founded in 1989, and is Little League's adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.

Any individual with a physical or intellectual challenge may participate. If an individual can participate in the traditional Little League Baseball or Softball program with reasonable accommodations they should do so. The Little League Challenger Division accommodates players ages 4 to 18; or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school. The Senior League Challenger Division accommodates players ages 15 and above (no maximum age).

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If you are interested in starting a Challenger Division, or finding a Challenger Division near you, please complete this short form. Once submitted, we will send you additional information.

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The 2018 Challenger Exhibition Game at the Little League Baseball® World Series drew a packed crowd at Volunteer Stadium, an annual event that gives players with physical and mental disabilities a chance to play under the Williamsport spotlight. This year's participants were Hazleton Little League from the nearby Hazleton, Pa., and Highland Baseball Club Little [...]

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Little League Challenger Division® - Little League

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The Little League Challenger Division® was founded in 1989, and is Little League's adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. Any individual with a physical or intellectual challenge may participate. If an individual can participate in the traditional Little League Baseball or Softball program with reasonable accommodations they should do so.

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We have to be respectful of other people's perspectives, just as we expect other people to be respectful of ours.

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Mindsight: Integrating Insight and Empathy

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As we enter the third year of the pandemic, it is not a surprise that stress levels for everyone have increased. A study done by the American Psychological Association shows that while "many are suffering from the impacts of stress, younger adults and parents continue to bear the brunt." With stress, comes effects such as behavioral changes, greater risk of health issues and mental illness.

Teaching kids (big and small) to put achievable, physical actions to help manage and cope with anxiety, worry and fear is a great life skill to know when it comes to coping with emotions.

While mindfulness may be considered New Age, there are several Bible verses that encourage meditation on God's Word. Mindfulness, meaning increasing the moment's awareness of one's presence, is different from meditation. It is a way to help oneself "be still" so that you can fully engage with God through prayer or His word.

Below, we've listed 4 of the most common practices for grounding and self-regulation (i.e., the bringing of oneself into a state of order) and taken each of them each a step further to connect them to God and Scripture. This creates encouraging Christian mindfulness ideas you can use with your kids at home or church.

Method 1: Box Breathing.

What is Box Breathing?
This is by far our favorite guided mindfulness or grounding practice we like to do with kids. Although it is often used in meditation, it is a simple exercise that can take less than 10 minutes and can easily be connected back to God's Word.

Box breathing is a great way to help children regulate their bodies by focusing on their breathing. Adults can also receive benefits from these techniques. It is also a technique often taught to first responders. This meditation and relaxation technique is also referred to as Square Breathing or 4 Square Breaths.
Steps to Box Breathing.
For kids, to begin Box Breathing, it is best to have them stand upright, still and towards you. This allows them to get big, deep breaths. Adults may find sitting or lying down on the floor more comfortable.

Once a child is still as possible, begin with slow inhaling through your nose to the count of four. Guide children that they are trying to fill up their lungs completely full of air.

Then hold your breath to a count of four.

Next, exhale through your mouth for the same count of four. Again, instructing children that they are trying to get all the air out of our lungs.

Hold your breath again for the same count of four. Repeat the process as many times as needed.

For children who are very worked up, your counts of four can be quick and then each time you repeat the steps, you can slow down your counts. Adapt for children to be sure they don't get dizzy during the holds.

Ideally, you would like to do at least 4 cycles or rounds of square breathing in one sitting (meaning inhale, hold, exhale, hold 4 consecutive times), but children may need to do this more if the first rounds are not completed.

Box Breathing has been proven to calm nerves, relieve stress and help with concentration.
Bringing it to God: Prayer or Scripture to repeat at the end of the exercise.
Once a child has completed the mindfulness exercise, it's great to close the session with a prayer or Scripture before moving on or returning to the activity the child was engaged in.

Don't be afraid to use a prayer that is scripted or written down on a card, short and simple. Too lengthy of a prayer may feel disconnected rather than part of the routine to help self-regulate.
Here is an example of a prayer we use with our kids:
"God, thank you for giving me the Breath of Life. Thank you for the oxygen to fill my lungs and how it helps me, other people, the birds and animals, flowers and trees grow and feel better. Thank you for being there when I feel stressed. Help me to always remember You and ways to be calm during those times. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

If this is a mindful breathing exercise you want to incorporate into your everyday life with your children, you may want to consider incorporating this into your bedtime routine and then close with your daily prayer.

If you would rather repeat Scripture, here is an example Bible verse you can also write down to repeat at the end if you prefer over a prayer:

"Let everything that has  breath  praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6, NIV

Method 2: Orient yourself in time and space.
What is orienting yourself in time and space?
This grounding practice is most successful with those suffering from anxiety or feeling overwhelmed. This five-step practice helps to refocus one's brain on the present and to slow down your brain thoughts which can help lower anxiety and panic.

Your brain cannot do two things at once (even though we often think it can), so for children who may be suffering from anxiety or coming close to panicking in a situation, this exercise is perfect to focus the brain away from the thoughts that are causing the panic and calm the mind as the mind cannot panic and do this exercise at the same time.
Steps to orienting yourself.
First, with any mindfulness activity with kids, start with trying to find a quiet place and start with a deep, quiet breath or two.

Once you've found your space and breath, go through these 5 steps:

Step 1: Ask the child: "What are FIVE things you see around you?" You can guide them to examples such as an object, a crack on the floor, anything in your surroundings. Wait for the child to name 5 things, counting them on your fingers.

Step 2: Ask the child: "What are FOUR things you can feel?" Answers can be as simple as the ground under their feet, the clothes on their body, your hand holding theirs - anything they can touch or feel. Give ample time for the child to name 4 things, counting them on your fingers.

Step 3: Ask the child: "What are THREE things you can hear?" This can be an external or internal sound! If kids name things they hear inside their body, but you can't hear, that counts. Wait for the child to name these sounds, counting them on your fingers.

Step 4: Ask the child: "What are TWO things you can smell?" This is always a fun one, because if the child is calming down, it can be an opportunity to connect, laugh and engage a little about strange or wonderful smells. Count these smells on your fingers.

Step 5: Ask the child: "What is ONE thing you can taste?" Essentially, what does their mouth taste like? Their lunch? Bad breath? Any answer is acceptable.

When doing this exercise, depending on your environment, you can rotate the difference sense for each step if you prefer. However, we find Smell and Taste are often best left for last.
Bringing it to God: Connecting senses to God's Word.
After completing the mindful awareness activity, help connect the child's answers to God's Word. Ask them out of the things they saw, felt, heard, smelled, or tasted, do any of them remind them of any Bible verses or Bible stories? For example, if they heard water, did that remind them of Noah and the flood?

Use the opportunity to engage with your little one about God's Word and apply Scripture to everyday surroundings.

If a child can't think of anything, ask if you can give them a hug. Did they feel that hug? What did it feel like? Did you smell funny?

Connect that hug with a message about Jesus' love for us and/or how God protects us with His loving arms.

Method 3: Come up with a repetitive affirmation.
What are repetitive affirmations?
Affirmations are helpful catchphrases kids can repeat that are positive in nature that redirect the mind to positive action. By repeating these affirmations or phrases, one's motivation and confidence is boosted to then be able to take a positive step or action.

The affirmations themselves do not create the change, but they are like little cheerleaders to help a child overcome the negative emotion and move past it.
Steps for using repetitive affirmations in a mindfulness exercise:
This activity is simple: Repeat the affirmation until you are feeling calm and confident to move forward.

A common example of an affirmation to repeat would be:

I am uncomfortable, but I am safe.

I am calm, I am happy, today will be a fun and happy day!

I am thankful.

Kids can repeat the phrase to you out loud (most common) or read from a card out loud or even write while reading out loud if that is their learning style.
Bringing it to God: Using Scripture-based affirmations.
Here are five affirmations you can use with kids of all ages based on Scripture passages from the Bible:

I am scared, but God goes before me. (Thought taken from Deuteronomy 31 & Isaiah 41)

I feel lonely, but God is always with me. (From Psalm 23)

I feel bullied, but God always loves me. (From Psalm 69:13)

I feel small, but God is bigger and will protect me. (From 2 Thessalonians 3: 3)

I feel like no one hears me, but God is always listening. (From 1 Peter 3:12)

Method 4: Throwing stress away.
What is throwing stress away?
This mindfulness activity is a great physical activity that helps kids regulate their bodies. It is also a technique that is great to use with more than one child at a time (just be sure there is plenty of space between the kids before you begin).

This physical activity helps the child/children visualize throwing away their stress and leaving it on the floor.
Steps to throwing away stress (or worry):
Stand with your arms above your head, fists clenched. Exhale forcefully while you throw your hands down towards the ground (but not touching the ground) and open your fingers. Throw the energy out of your body and into the ground.

Repeat as many times as needed.

Bringing it to God: Casting your anxieties upon the Lord:

We will all feel stressed and anxious from time to time. But what can we do about that? 1 Peter 5:7 NIV says: "Cast all your anxiety on [God] because he cares for you."

After completing this activity, this is the perfect time to engage with kids about this Bible verse, what it means and how we can trust in God to lift us up in His time.

As an aside, there is a classic Arch Book ( Jesus Teaches Us Not to Worry from Matthew 6:25-34) that has been a favorite of ours since we were children, and we read this book to our children today-it is a great story to read after this activity.

Guilding children through anxious times.

Although we've chosen our favorite four mindfulness exercises, there are many more proven methods to help relieve stress and worry for kids. Blowing bubbles, journaling, painting, or coloring are all great ways to engage with children to be present in the moment. Find the exercises and activities that work best for you!

Even if your children or children in your church may seem on the surface to be unfazed by big changes or don't seem to have a problem dealing with big feelings or emotions, incorporating these techniques now can be powerful as children move through life.

As parents, teachers, and caregivers, it's important that we teach children to take care of their physical and emotional well-being. Teaching our children important techniques to manage their emotions and feelings can be extremely important and helpful as they continue through this world, especially during these uncertain times.

Stress and anxiety will always exist in our world, and one of the best gifts we can give them are tools for regulating their mind when anxious times arrive to recenter their thoughts on God and His Word.

Download these FREE Christian Mindfulness Activity Cards

Click on the link below the download the PDF of the FREE Christian Mindfulness Ideas for Kids cards. Each illustrated, full-color card contains step-by-step instructions for each activity. Share this downloadable PDF with other parents and teachers.

Download FREE Christian Mindfulness Ideas for Kids Cards PDF

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Christian Mindfulness Ideas for Kids | Children's Worship Bulletins Blog

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Teaching kids physical actions to manage and cope with anxiety, worry, and fear is a great life skill to know when it comes to coping with emotions.