Starry Night Prom
The generous efforts of some incredibly insightful parents and the efforts of a few nonprofit organizations have given young people with disabilities the opportunity to integrate into the population and become contributing members of society.
In 2010, King County estimated the number of young people needing extra care in the county at 30,641. Experts believe that number could be significantly higher just six years later based on the outreach programs designed to serve the requirements of the special needs population. Nonprofit organizations, according to one expert, make their assessments based on individual needs, not guidelines mandated by the government.
One of those organizations is Special Dreams for Special Kids founded in 2010 by Michelle Tornetta with a group of parents who were gathered together for support. The core mission of Special Dreams has always been connected to the word “joy.”
Tornetta has a daughter with special needs who brings joy to her family, classmates and friends. Special Dreams was formed to encourage kids with various special needs to go for their dreams and not be limited by resources or circumstances. Functioning as a team as well as an advocate for the individuals with special needs, Special Dreams for Special Kids works to combine resources to make the dreams of these special kids come true while providing encouragement for their parents and caregivers.
Tornetta and the organizers of the Special Dreams organization discovered that of the biggest joys for both the special needs kids and their parents has been a prom night modified for high school students with special needs. The group’s third annual Starry Night Prom is scheduled for this month.
“When we work together there is nothing we cannot achieve,” said Tornetta. “And when we selflessly help others, our joy is multiplied.”
Parents knew that the darker lighting and loud music at regular proms made their kids uncomfortable. So the parents created the Starry Night Prom so their kids could share in the same special occasion producing great joy on their own terms.
Jen Salvione said her son Nathan “had the time of his life” at the Starry Night Prom he attended last year.
“It was such an amazing event,” the proud mother recalled. “Nathan was accompanied by two young adults who knew him well, so we as his parents were overjoyed that we could take pictures and ‘send him off’ to prom without us, something we never dreamed of getting to experience.”
Everything was so wonderfully planned and arranged, Salvione said, so every prom-goer felt like a king or queen.
“Our goal is to give everyone a chance to be a Prom King or Queen for the night. Crowns, red carpet, sparkly lights and all the glamour of prom night,” said Torenatta. “This is their moment to shine.”
Other programs created by Special Dreams for Special Kids include a program entitled, Dream Sessions. During a Dream Session, kids with any level of disability can participate in a creative process of exploring their dreams and greatest passions. Similar to the Make A Wish Foundation, a team determines the dream and sets out to gather community and business support to see these dreams become reality.
Respite Days is an all-day event established to provide support and encouragement for parents and caregivers of children with special needs that have their plates filled with emotional and physical challenges. A spokesperson for the Special Dreams Team said the down time is beneficial for parents and caregivers to know that they are not alone feeling disconnected, frustrated, overwhelmed and that no one can fully understand their particular struggle.
The beauty of a network of parents meeting to encourage one another is that resources begin to flow and frustrations melt as they realize someone understands their situation. The big push here is for these people to know they are not alone. It doesn’t matter that the child or the story is not exactly the same, they quickly empathize with similar struggles and challenges. Special Dreams began as a support and encouragement for parents. The group intends to continue with the important role of connecting parents to not only encourage each other, but to celebrate what is unique and wonderful about each child.
The Starry Night Prom was scheduled to be held at Shorewood High School on April 2 in Shoreline. All special education high school and transition students, as well as those in their 20s in Seattle, Shoreline and Edmonds, area were invited. The Prom included fun music with a live DJ, sensory-friendly lighting and music levels. One did not need a date to attend.
“Come as a group and have a ball,” said one parent.
There was food and beverages and a photo booth to capture memories. Tickets were only $10. Volunteers were encouraged to learn more about the event and become involved with the photo booth or participate in decorating the dance hall on the afternoon before the event. Volunteers were also needed to manage tickets at the door and to serve as part of the welcoming committee. Cleanup went from 8:30 to 9:30pm.
If you know a child with a dream, have a resource to share, or just have questions, please contact Special Dreams at 425.210.7654 or email Michelle@spdreams.org.
