Summit Trains 50 New Special Needs Mentors

SUMMIT, NJ - The Summit Department of Community trained 50 new volunteers to interact and assist children with unique needs on Jan. 21 at the Summit EMS building as part of the TryCAN program.

Lawton C. Johnson Middle School teacher Helen Branco taught a portion of the training focused on behavior. Summit High School transition coordinator Patricia Walsh taught the mentors how to handle specific learning differences. Dance movement specialist Michele Goldin led the taught the proper physical cue for kids dance segment of the training.

The Department of Community said they were thankful to those that volunteered their time and talents for the benefit of the children enrolled in the TryCAN.

According to TryCAN they are a collaboration of Berkeley Heights, Maplewood, Millburn, Mountainside, New Providence, Scotch Plains, South Orange, Springfield, Summit and Union and other nearby communities that offers a comprehensive array of recreation programs for children with special needs or those who need special accommodation. There are residency fees involved but all are welcome.

Organizers said they offer:

• TryCAN coordinates inclusive recreation and social development programs for children with special needs.
• Programs help teach sports and life skills, while focusing on building individual skills, teamwork and fun!
• Programs are taught by experienced coaches and instructors from the community.
• Skill-building sports programs are held a few weeks before start of each season to enable child (those interested) to tryout for a particular sport.
• Using our “Children Helping Children” approach, during class your child works with trained volunteer Peer Mentors who serve as assistant coaches, buddies and your child’s biggest cheerleaders.
• Peer Mentors are high school and middle school students from our communities.
• Programs have included baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, football, tennis, martial arts, golf, learn-to-bike-ride, social skills, reading, art and music.
• Programs are open to children from all communities.
• Programs charge only a nominal fee, thanks to fundraising activities of TryCAN

TryCAN allows parent and professional volunteers to get involved and provides opportunities to attend TryCAN family events and meet and network with other families with similar needs.

Current collaborating communities:

• Berkeley Heights
• Cranford
• Madison
• Maplewood
• Millburn
• Mountainside
• New Providence
• South Orange
• Springfield
• Union
• Clark
• Summit

For more information, contact dguidajr@cityofsummit.org.

(Photos courtesy of Summit Department of Community)

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