Our Children’s Ministry also offers Buddy Break, a free respite program that allows children with special needs (VIP kids) to make new friends and enjoy all kinds of activities, while offering caregivers a break from their responsibilities.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected]
Buddy Break Schedule 2024
January 20
February 17
March 16
April 20
May 18
June (none)
July 20
August 17
September 21
October 19
November 16
December 21
Buddy Break
Kids with Special Needs are our VIP kids!
Middletown Christian Church is blessed to be the first partner church in Kentucky for Buddy Break (Nathaniel’s Hope). Buddy Break is a free respite program that allows children with special needs (VIP kids) to make new friends and enjoy all kinds of activities, while offering caregivers a break from their responsibilities. We provide monthly three-hour sessions of respite care for VIP kids.
Volunteers are trained to be Buddies. Buddies are friends to VIP kids and should be at least 14 years of age, complete a 2 hour Buddy 101 Training, and pass a required background check.
FAQs
Buddy Break is a free kids/respite program where kids with special needs (VIP kids) make new friends, play fun games, enjoy crafts, therapy dogs, stories, music, activities and more! Siblings have fun too! Meanwhile, their caregivers get a break from their ongoing care-giving responsibilities for three hours one Saturday morning a month.
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.
Buddies are friends of VIPs.
The weight and stress of finding proper doctors, teachers, and financial resources for a VIP child’s care can be overwhelming. Those responsibilities, along with the never-ending demands of daily care-giving and life in general, leave little opportunity for caregivers to take time for themselves, run errands, or spend time with a spouse or other children—things desperately needed to survive. Buddy Break provides a safe place for VIPs and their siblings to have fun and establish meaningful friendships with other kids and adults while their caregivers get a break.
We’re located at 500 North Watterson Trail, where it intersects Blankenbaker Parkway. You can reach us easily from I-64, exit 17. You’ll be entering the church at the far right as you face our building — follow the signs to the Children’s Wing.
No previous experience with VIP kids is necessary to be a Buddy, just a loving heart, open arms, and a willingness to learn. Each VIP kids is paired one-on-one with a screened volunteer Buddy, who is at least 14 years of age, has completed a two-hour Buddy Training 101 class, and passed a required background check.
Downloads for Future Buddies
Buddy Application Form
Background Check Form
Buddy Reference Form for Minors
Other Volunteer Opportunities
We’ll also need volunteers to greet families, set up rooms, prepare classroom materials, monitor hallways, be a storyteller or worship leader, and notarize materials. There is something for everyone to do and it’s only once a month!
Downloads for Other Volunteers
Volunteer Opportunities & Preferences
How to Sign Up
Contact Amanda O’Mahoney, 502.245.9793 or [email protected]
This program is for VIP children age 2 through 5th grade, and their siblings: age 5 through 5th grade. Some Buddy Break locations expand their program based on their ability to serve a wider age range.
How do I sign up my VIP Kid?
1) Complete the secure VIP Family Info Form online here. (Click on the blue “Register for Buddy Break” button.)
2) You will receive an email from Nathaniel’s Hope Buddy Break that will tell you where to call to make a reservation for your VIP.