Congratulations! A young couple gets call after call of Mabrook and good wishes from family members and friends. The layette looks beautiful, the cute new baby gifts start to come in, and the excited young couple have their aspirations, hopes, and dreams for their newborn baby. As time goes on they realize things just don’t seem right. Wasn’t the baby supposed to be crawling and talking by now? Everyone tells them, “Don’t worry, everything is fine.” 
After a few months, Mom and Dad take the baby to the doctor and after some testing, their worst fears are confirmed—their child has special needs. The doctor explains the child’s disability to the parents, but they are too numb to understand what he is saying. The reality slowly sets in—all the plans they had for this child have been shattered, and at that moment they realize, life is about to change—drastically.
What now? Who can they call? Who do they turn to for guidance, advice, and support? Who can hold their hand and help them navigate through the maze of a new, scary world that they know nothing about?
Unfortunately, this scenario has been played out many times, and is the reality that many families within our community face. For them, life means being on guard 24/7, in a state of high tension, often having to cope all on their own. Along with this tension comes so many questions:
How do I keep my child safe and out of danger? Which school is most suitable for my child’s unique disability? What is really going on with my child and how do I get a proper diagnosis? Which doctor do I go to that knows how to deal with my child’s needs? What are my entitlements, and how do I get them? How do I fill out all these confusing government forms? Who is the best therapist for my child? How do I balance my energy and efforts with the “regular” children in the family and the special needs child? Is there anyone else out there that I can speak to who has done this before? And the list goes on.
That’s where CARE comes in. CARE stands for Community, Advocacy, Resources, Encouragement. This unique community organization deals with the global needs of a family (the entire family) with a special needs child, because the effect that the child has on his/her family is felt in so many ways.
CARE’s team is made up of a combination of parents and professionals. The parents provide priceless real-life experience that is needed to guide the new family. The professionals provide a comprehensive knowledge of schools, programs, entitlements, benefits, and funding that the family may be eligible for.
CARE’s team meets with the family and creates a plan to better their lives. “We sit down with parents of special needs children, listen to their stories, and see what is needed for the child and the family,” said Victoria Safdieh, a founder of CARE. “The challenges that arise as a result of having a special needs child branch out into many different areas of family life. We address and try to help with all of these issues.”
CARE has been advocating, advising, encouraging, and providing a host of services and programs for hundreds of families within our community. The organization has obtained millions of dollars of state funding for services, including nursing, home health aides, social security income, handicap permits, equipment, and schooling. In addition, CARE has been reaching out and building relationships with the local special needs schools and learning about their programs, in order to help guide parents to the school that will best suit their child’s unique disability. 
“It is relatively easy choosing a school for a “regular” child, but when it comes to a special needs child it’s a whole different world,” said Meyer Safdieh, cofounder of CARE.
An important part of what CARE does is focus on the siblings of the special needs children, by running monthly sibling events and attending to their needs.
Another focus of CARE, is the impact that the child has on the relationship of the parents.
Often, parents find themselves drifting apart and their relationship is compromised as a result of the constant stress of having a special needs child. CARE encourages them and helps them with practical advice to strengthen their marriage, even going so far as sending couples on a date night in the city and providing a hotel room and dinner to help them refocus and reconnect. CARE also runs lectures and events exclusively for parents of special needs children. 
CARE has teamed up with YDE to create a sports program for the autistic boys, which takes place weekly in the school, and has many YDE students volunteering. In addition, CARE held an incredible Purim carnival in Magen David Yeshivah, attended by hundreds of volunteers and special needs children and their families. It was a fun day with music, moonwalks, games, shows, etc. The shining, happy faces of the children were heartwarming. Each child had a volunteer, and their parents were able to enjoy the rest of the family in a fun environment, it was truly a magical day.
In addition, the community came together this past summer to support CARE at the home of Carol and Ike Chera. The Cheras graciously opened their home. Rabbi Eli Mansour, Mr. Harry Adjmi, and Mr. Jack Kassin inspired everyone with their words of support and encouragement for this special, one of a kind organization. Rachel Mitrani gave an emotional speech describing her experiences with her daughter and what CARE means to her.
With its office located in the heart of Brooklyn, at 1977 Coney Island Avenue, the community has a place to turn to for help, advice, guidance, and support for their special needs children. It is there, that they will find a hub of dedicated professionals and volunteers doing their best to help with all of the challenges they are dealing with.
If someone you know needs CARE’s services, or if you would like to participate in any way, whether to volunteer or to donate, please visit our office or call (718) 975-7171.q
