King of King’s Lutheran Church
​is excited to present
Nathaniel’s Hope Buddy Break program!

Buddy Break
​Schedule 2023
SATURDAYS
(1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.)
August 12
September 9
October 14
November 11
December 9

What is Buddy Break?
​Buddy Break is a free kids/respite program where children with special needs (VIP kids) make new friends, play fun games, enjoy crafts, stories, music activities, and more!  Siblings have fun too!   Meanwhile, their caregivers get a break from their ongoing care-giving responsibilities for three hours.  Buddy Break is open to church members and non-church members with VIP kids.  Each VIP kid is paired one-on-one with a screened volunteer Buddy to participate in that day’s activities

Who are VIP kids?
VIPs are kids with special needs, which include any physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, or those who are medically fragile.
​
Who are Buddies?
Buddies are friends of VIPs.   Buddies are screened and trained volunteers who are paired one-on-one with VIPs for the day’s activities.

How do I sign up as a VIP?
King of Kings Lutheran Church provides Buddy Break for VIP children birth ages: 2-16 years old, and their siblings: 4 years old to 5th grade.

• To sign up for the program as a VIP: Go to https://nathanielshope.org/buddybreak/signup.php and complete the secure online VIP Family Information Form.  If you have any siblings that you would like to have attend Buddy Break, fill out the Sibling form too.
• Contact us to reserve your space at a required VIP orientation.  (Contact information is below.)  This allows us to meet you and your children and gives you a chance to see Buddy Break before you begin participating.
• Prior to orientation, print and complete the following forms.  We will have a notary at orientation to notarize them for you.
• Click on the link to open the PDF of each form

Authorization/Release Form
​(need to complete for each VIP and Sibling attending Buddy Break)

authorization_release_form.pdf
File Size:	409 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Declaration of Consent Form 
​(need to complete for each VIP and Sibling attending Buddy Break)

declaration_of_consent.pdf
File Size:	540 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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• Once you have signed up for the program and gone through orientation, you will need to make a reservation for each month that you want to attend Buddy Break.  Space is limited and pre-registration is required, so register early!

To make a reservation for our upcoming Buddy Break as a VIP:
Email:  buddybreakkokga@gmail.com
Phone:  706-515-5226

How do I sign up to be a Buddy?
No previous experience with VIP kids is necessary to be a Buddy, just a loving heart, open arms, and a willingness to learn.  You must be at least 14 years of age and you will be trained through a two-hour Buddy Training 101 class.  You also agree to have a background check run on your information.

To sign up for the program as a Buddy:

• Complete the secure online Buddy Form.
• Contact us to schedule a visit or reserve your space at a mandatory Buddy Training 101 class. 
• Please provide some information about yourself, as well as phone, email, and date you want to be a buddy.  

Contact Information:
Paige Jensen or Lisa Lawrence, KoK Buddy Break Coordinators
Email:  buddybreakkokga@gmail.com
Phone:  706-515-5226


To find other upcoming Buddy Break dates and locations: 
Click here or contact Nathaniel’s Hope at 407-857-8224.