The Butterfly Effect

Changing Lives One Person At A Time

3rd Quarter 2014

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In Action

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Why The Butterfly?

We chose the butterfly for our logo because of "The Butterfly Effect." The meaning comes from a 1972 talk given by Edward Lorenz to the American Association for the Advancement of Science describing the chaos theory titled, "Does The Flap
Of A Butterfly's Wings In Brazil Set Off A Tornado In Texas." In other words, the ripples of a very small change can make a huge difference down the road.

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The school year has started and we're operating three new programs to go with it! It's been an exciting time watching our dream of a full line of services for those with special needs take shape. With each service and program maintaining our vision of choice and inclusion for all, we are now able to start early, increasing our overall chances of success, and follow the individual through to adulthood, giving them continuity and individualized programming.

Private School Now Open

Butterfly Effect in Action

Samuel Robertson, the Free 2 Be Me Instructor, works with a student at one of three computer stations

With all of the changes and growth we've been experiencing over the past year, we're most excited about our private school offered in partnership with The Broach School. With the success and growth of our after school program, it just seemed like the natural next step - it was just a matter of figuring out how.

We knew what we wanted to achieve - a school where kids with more pronounced learning disabilities and/or behavioral issues could come and learn the skills important to an independent life in the way they learn best. For example, there are many ways to be able to make purchases without having to master math skills, and if it's easier to learn this while laying on the floor with your shoes off - so be it!

We wanted to take our tradition of thinking outside the box to help people succeed and make it work in a school setting, and we knew having the resources of the after school program as well as the adult day program would provide additional support. We just needed a

One of the aides at Free 2 Be Me works with a student on letter recognition

way to make it happen, and that way was found in a partnership with an organization that has thought outside the box when it comes to education for over 40 years - The Broach School.

Because we share the same values when it comes to the education of all children, The Broach School was the perfect choice when it came to finding a partner to help make this program possible. Because they were already established as a state licensed private school, we were able to streamline the process and get our program up and running in less time and with less cost. It also gave us a great resource in educational knowledge. Plus, with our goal always being to get those we serve back into the mainstream, The Broach School gave us the ability to have other options besides just the public school system for parents to look at. With smaller class sizes and a more individualized curriculum, their programs were the perfect complement to what we would be creating.

Kathy Foster, President of The Broach School, had this to say about this new opportunity: "A little over 2 years ago, we came in contact with an organization renting space across from our Broach Orange Park campus, then located at 772 Foxridge Center Drive, and thus began our relationship with Henderson Haven, Inc. Upon first meeting Lee and Sherri Henderson, we discovered that both our organizations and

Our bus will enable us to take students on field trips, giving them the opportunity to use their new found community skills

founders have a heart to serve the same population of children with special needs. At that time, Henderson Haven had the Free 2 Be Me after-school program that partnered with the teachers at school to assist the students with their homework and challenges after school. Since we had a school for special needs students right across the parking lot, we quickly realized we were very complementary to each other. Last year, Lee came to us and said, 'Sherri and I really wish we could start a school to help these students reach their full potential and be able to function in life after graduating.' Since the Broach School has 41+ years of expertise in the school business and Henderson Haven has over 30 combined years of experience helping individuals reach their full potential in their after-school and adult day programs, it was a natural fit to partner and open the Free 2 Be Me Program of the Broach Orange Park campus, located at Henderson Haven's location on Foxridge. This program serves special needs students functioning on a low level, most likely not a diploma track. There has not been many options in the past in Orange Park for parents of these children, so this partnership is serving a great need in this community."

We needed a special leader to take the reins of this new venture. Someone with experience, but not set in their ways - they would need to be open to new ideas and techniques. We found that person in Samuel Robertson. Sam has over 7 years experience in working with children with developmental and behavioral issues. He's worked with special needs students at Lakeside Elementary and Thunderbolt Elementary in Clay County as well a behavioral group home. With a degree in Physical Education, he's the perfect choice to take our vision forward.

In the past, public school has been the only option these families have had. Now they have a choice and, we believe, a better option for their loved one's future. We invite you to come and tour any of our programs and get more information on what our community, advocacy, and day programs can do you for you or your loved one.

We Can't Do It Without Your Help!

The programs we provide all have two things in common: they work to help make sure those we serve are given every opportunity to live a life of true choice and inclusion, and they can't be done without help from people like you.

While financial assistance is always needed and appreciated, it's not the only way you can help. From providing paper goods, craft supplies, or snacks to our day programs, to lending a helping hand during weekend improvement work days, there are many ways you can make these services possible.

Contact our office for ideas or take the link below to make a single or recurring donation. It's because of your help we're able to change the lives we touch every day.

MAKE A DONATION HERE

Thank you for your continued support of our programs. All of us at Henderson Haven appreciate your belief in our vision of everyone living the life they have chosen for themselves regardless of their perceived abilities.

It takes all of our business partners, volunteers, family members, directors, and of course, our dedicated staff working together to make this vision a reality for everyone in North Florida. It's because of people like you that it's working, and it is.

We're proving that our system can work for anyone and we're even showing that in the long run, our way is cheaper. We can see a future for Florida where segregation is a thing of the past and everyone is able to be a contributing member to their communities.

Sincerely,

Lee Henderson
Henderson Haven, Inc.