5 day programs for those with special needs don’t always lead to to tears of joy. But when guest blogger Jim Gaven showed up for on his last day at a non-profit he worked for, he began to cry. Here’s why.

A clear box sat on a small raised platform next to my office computer on my last day of work. It was a collection of thank you card and well wishes from many of the individuals I served and supported at the 5 Day Program for those with special needs I had conducted across New Jersey for the past 4 years. The programs were established to better serve and support adults with developmental disabilities in achieving their goals–to become the best versions of themselves through developing life skills and taking on more independent responsibilities. 

Each program addressed a specific need. For instance, one was a mainly medical day program, while another was a strictly behavioral program. One encouraged independent living. One was at a thrift shop, another was more community-based one, and one was at a bakery. Even though they operated separately, they were connected in their mission of service and independence for each individual. 

These programs were 30-45 minutes away from each other. To collect these handwritten notes, the effort had to have been put into place months earlier. I couldn’t believe it. Each note filled my heart with gratitude, love, peace, and joy. The deeper I dove into the box, the more intense the emotions were. I had tried to impact their lives, teach them about music–how to play instruments and how to sing. More often than not, we talked about life and what mattered to them.

They matched and surpassed what I did for them. I realized the 5 day programs for those with special needs didn’t make me cry. The people in the programs did.In honor of them, I published a picture book and wrote a song, both titled Just Like You and Me. You’ll find the book here and the song here. 

Watch out, they might just make you cry!

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