South Boston Special Kids club is more than a community club for adults with special needs, it is a family. I was given the privilege of being a part of this amazing family my sophomore year of high school. I started volunteering, having no experience with people with special needs. I had zero expectations and no idea how strong of a bond I would form with some of it’s members and fellow volunteers. One person in particular that I have become close with is Laurie. Laurie is my “bestie”.
When I told Laurie I was writing for a website called The Odyssey, her first reaction was “tell them about us! Write about club!” And so here I am, writing about South Boston Special Kids Club, my second family.
I wanted to interview Laurie to get the perspective of one of the kids. I say kids as a term of endearment; the club started about 20 years ago when the members still were kids. Laurie is now 57 and the youngest member is 34, but they are still the kids. The founder of the club, Kathy Morrison, treated all the members as if they were her own children. Just talking to Laurie it is apparent the huge impact Kathy made on the kids: Kathy “taught that we are all different and deserve the same respect of any child or adult.” Kathy saw a need in the community and she took action. Because of Kathy, an entire community was given a gift. The club meets every Monday (excluding the summer) and it is what every member looks forward to.
Laurie describes the club as “really fantastic” and said she never had the opportunity to go to something like that until she joined club. Club has made “ a major difference” in Laurie’s life as well as mine. Club has connected me to so many great people and created so many beautiful friendships. I am so grateful to South Boston Special Kids Club because it has taught me so many valuable lessons.
A lesson I learned from the club is that everyone deserves their time to shine. When we have dances, everyone gets their moment in the center of the dance circle. From the girl thrilled to show off her moves, to the guy in the corner watching, everyone is encouraged and given their time in the middle. I learned that a little encouragement goes a long way. I learned that hugs should be given as often as possible; who cares if you saw that person just last week? I learned that I have a lot more to contribute than I initially thought. I thought I would sit back and help out with whatever was needed, but now I see my full potential. I see that I can make a difference by just being someone’s friend.
Laurie’s favorite part of the club is the talent show we put on every year. The kids practice and are thrilled to get on stage and show their friends and family their hard work. I love it because their practice pays off and they glow from excitement. This year was my first year in the audience rather than backstage, and I loved being able to watch the whole show and record videos like a crazy fan girl. I was able to come home from college for the talent show this year and it was a great decision. I missed a weekend on campus that had a surprising amount of exciting things going but I would not trade seeing that show for the world.
I began volunteering to help the community, but SBSKC has helped me. It has given me a second home, a whole new set of friends, and learning experiences. I am forever thankful to Kathy Morrison and the rest of the club for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing community.
