DOVER—
Zebra Crossings will be moving into the McConnell Community Center in Dover. “We are extremely excited about this opportunity to join the community,” says Astrid Wielens, the organization’s Executive Director. “Zebra Crossings was founded in 2009 and provides programs for children with a chronic health condition and their family. Programs allow these children to explore what they are capable achieving, gain a sense of independence, but also share common struggles. We would like for families to generate relationships with other children and adults who understand exactly what they are dealing with on a daily basis. When a child has a chronic health condition, it affects the entire family in so many ways.”
“Now that the foundation for the organization has been laid, it is time for us to become more present in the community and increase our visibility. The opportunities to meet and welcome families at the McConnell Center were a great draw, as well as the potential to formalize partnerships with other organizations,” says Wielens. “It is a perfect location for Zebra Crossings to find its home at the McConnell Center and connect with other organizations whose goal is to serve families.”
As a startup nonprofit organization, Zebra Crossings was not ready to invest in renovating its own space and Gary Bannon, McConnell Center Administrator, referred them to HUB Family Resource Center, which currently sublets one of its spaces to other small nonprofits. Greg Burdwood, Executive Director for the HUB, is pleased with the new tenant. “The Center is focused on creating a collaborative environment for community-based non-profits, government, schools and volunteers. Zebra Crossings provides an important new service in the community,” he said.
Gary Bannon, who serves as the Director of the Dover Recreation Department as well as the building administrator, explains that the McConnell Center operates as a facility that is owned and managed by the City of Dover. He says, “the unique model that we have is the partnership with other various government agencies and non profit organizations whose goals are to create a collaborative environment, balance opportunities and services to meet the interest and needs of area residents and foster creative partnerships”.
Other organizations that are based at the McConnell Center include the Dover Children’s Center, Dover Human Services, Dover Police Outreach, Dover Recreation Department, Dover Senior Center, Easter Seals of NH, The HUB Family Resource Center, Seacoast Hospice, Strafford County CAP, UNH Social Work Outreach Center, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital: Pete’s Place, Dover Adult Learning Center of Strafford County, Dover School Department, CASA of NH and Becket Family of Services.
Zebra Crossings provides a broad range of day and overnight programs for children with a chronic health condition throughout the year. Programs started mid March of 2010 and are currently available to youth and teens with moderate to severe asthma, heart conditions, diabetes and epilepsy or seizure disorder. Programs will be held at various locations in the Seacoast region with opportunities to organize events elsewhere in the state. Activities include recreational activities at each event, such as art projects, sport and group games, climbing wall or ropes course, kayaking, etc. In 2011, the goal is to expand programming to also include a broader range of health conditions and to facilitate family and sibling retreats as well.
Families interested in learning more about Zebra Crossings programs may contact Zebra Crossings at 603-749-0308 or info@zebra-crossings.org.
Zebra Crossings will be moving into the McConnell Community Center in Dover. “We are extremely excited about this opportunity to join the community,” says Astrid Wielens, the organization’s Executive Director. “Zebra Crossings was founded in 2009 and provides programs for children with a chronic health condition and their family. Programs allow these children to explore what they are capable achieving, gain a sense of independence, but also share common struggles. We would like for families to generate relationships with other children and adults who understand exactly what they are dealing with on a daily basis. When a child has a chronic health condition, it affects the entire family in so many ways.”
“Now that the foundation for the organization has been laid, it is time for us to become more present in the community and increase our visibility. The opportunities to meet and welcome families at the McConnell Center were a great draw, as well as the potential to formalize partnerships with other organizations,” says Wielens. “It is a perfect location for Zebra Crossings to find its home at the McConnell Center and connect with other organizations whose goal is to serve families.”
As a startup nonprofit organization, Zebra Crossings was not ready to invest in renovating its own space and Gary Bannon, McConnell Center Administrator, referred them to HUB Family Resource Center, which currently sublets one of its spaces to other small nonprofits. Greg Burdwood, Executive Director for the HUB, is pleased with the new tenant. “The Center is focused on creating a collaborative environment for community-based non-profits, government, schools and volunteers. Zebra Crossings provides an important new service in the community,” he said.
Gary Bannon, who serves as the Director of the Dover Recreation Department as well as the building administrator, explains that the McConnell Center operates as a facility that is owned and managed by the City of Dover. He says, “the unique model that we have is the partnership with other various government agencies and non profit organizations whose goals are to create a collaborative environment, balance opportunities and services to meet the interest and needs of area residents and foster creative partnerships”.
Other organizations that are based at the McConnell Center include the Dover Children’s Center, Dover Human Services, Dover Police Outreach, Dover Recreation Department, Dover Senior Center, Easter Seals of NH, The HUB Family Resource Center, Seacoast Hospice, Strafford County CAP, UNH Social Work Outreach Center, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital: Pete’s Place, Dover Adult Learning Center of Strafford County, Dover School Department, CASA of NH and Becket Family of Services.
Zebra Crossings provides a broad range of day and overnight programs for children with a chronic health condition throughout the year. Programs started mid March of 2010 and are currently available to youth and teens with moderate to severe asthma, heart conditions, diabetes and epilepsy or seizure disorder. Programs will be held at various locations in the Seacoast region with opportunities to organize events elsewhere in the state. Activities include recreational activities at each event, such as art projects, sport and group games, climbing wall or ropes course, kayaking, etc. In 2011, the goal is to expand programming to also include a broader range of health conditions and to facilitate family and sibling retreats as well.
Families interested in learning more about Zebra Crossings programs may contact Zebra Crossings at 603-749-0308 or info@zebra-crossings.org.
