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‘One stop shop’: Special needs fair provides much-needed resources

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Just like any other fair, this one had booths, vendors and resources, but the audience was different.

North United Methodist Church held a Special Needs Fair on Saturday.The event started in 2006 in conjunction with Speedway United Methodist Church. It caters to families with special needs children and caretakers for special needs people.

Vendors at the fair included organizations that specialize in therapy resources, summer camps, navigating the school system, access to Medicaid waivers, technology training, and independent living resources.

Brooke Baker, a parent of a child with autism and the chairperson of North United Methodist Church’s Special Needs committee, said, “I think one of the biggest things is it’s a relief because I’m aware that services exist but there are all kinds of therapies and there are all kinds of things that I haven’t even thought of that could help him.”

Baker added, “It’s just a big relief to come to one place and it’s kind of like a one-stop shop. I can go through and I can find summer camps that are safe for him. I can find new therapy options and maybe things I’d never thought of before like resource counselors and help with filling out paperwork which is huge. It’s just nice to have everything under one roof.”

If you missed Saturday’s Special Needs Fair, you can still get resource guidance by calling North United Methodist Church at (317) 924-2612.