Transforming Today's World Magazine - JAN 2014 Special Edition Vol 5 Issue 3 | Page 17

va’s Heroes individuals 14 years old and older; participants engage in activities that weave education and recreation together such as sports and outdoor activities, cooking, computer skills, field trips, arts and crafts, yoga exercising, and fishing. needs ages 16 and older. These activities are recreation-based and designed to empower the participants to try new and different things. Monthly activities are adjustable for all levels of ability and allow the opportunity to experience a more enriched life. Some past activities have included dances, spectator sports, dining out, game nights, cultural activities, cooking activities, sports, edutainment, arts and crafts nights and museum trips. Through a partnership with Santikos Theatres, they can also attend any one of several theatres; movies are presented every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Embassy 14, Silverado 16, Mayan Palace, and Rialto Theatres. The third program, called the Summer Enrichment Program, gives participants the opportunity for a summer camp experience in a structured and supportive environment. The Summer Enrichment Program is open to The goal of Eva’s Heroes is to fully fund and increase participation in all programs. This will form the foundation for dynamic long term goals. The vision for the future includes the following: sibling support groups, art, travel, yoga programs, special needs summit meetings, conduct city-wide training with community partners, and build a state-of-the-art Eva’s Heroes facility that will house administration as well as all its programs. These goals are only attainable through the hosting of special events throughout the year that serve as fundraisers, thereby contributing to the enhancement and growth of Eva’s Heroes programs. Two such fundraisers are the Celebrity Casino Night and the Celebrity Golf tournament; these two events help raise a large part of the monies needed to fund all these programs. Eva’s Heroes’ success is also due to the support it receives from local corporations; local San Antonio businesses have supported the vision of Eva’s Heroes and have realized the importance of improving the lives of individuals with intellectual special needs living in our community. Whether through financial or in-kind contributions, local business are actively assisting with donations of goods and services, or through opening up their business establishments to Eva’s Heroes participants. The contributions received help enrich Eva’s Heroes programs as well as the lives of its participants. So what constitutes a HERO? A hero is someone who gives of themselves unselfishly, someone who doesn’t make excuses as to why they cannot lend a helping hand to someone in need; heroes come in all shapes and sizes and do not draw attention to themselves, but instead give to the cause of making a difference in others’ lives. Become someone’s HERO today by contributing to the Eva’s Heroes cause; stand up and help make a difference to those that may otherwise not be able to participate in these great programs where intellectually special needs individuals get the opportunity to INTERACT, GROW, LEARN, and LOVE! To become a volunteer, contribute, or learn more about Eva’s Heroes please log on to www.evasheroes.org, follow them on twitter https://twitter.com/evasheroes, or like them on 15 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evas-Heroes/80075284462.