The Merrimack Friars Club is a non-profit service organization dedicated to serving the local community of adults with special needs through organized sports and social activities. Based in Southern New Hampshire, the Friars organization takes pride in offering extracurricular opportunities to its members. These opportunities help the individuals enhance their self-esteem, improve their social skills, and learn about good sportsmanship. Perhaps just as importantly, the Friars provides all of its members with a community of wonderful friends — and a lot of fun times.
Resource Categories: Recreation/Play
Atlantic Adaptive Movement Program
Atlantic Gymnastics Training Center, Adaptive Movement Program in Portsmouth offers youngsters and adults with special needs the opportunity to step foot into the world of gymnastics to reap the benefits of early intervention and ongoing therapeutic sessions. The extensive variety of movements encouraged around the gym and on the various apparatus allows many individuals assistance in gaining upper and lower body strength, core stability, confidence, body and spatial awareness, improved processing and motor planning capabilities, calming stimulation, coordination, and increased patience and adaptability to differing circumstances.
Toybox Tools Program
The ToyBox Tools program was created to provide that structure through a series of tools rooted in evidence-based and emerging best practices. These instructional videos, printable materials and play-mats are designed to help families, caregivers and teachers unlock the power of play, and to make play more fun and enjoyable at a child’s own pace. ToyBox Tools recognizes that parents and caregivers know their children best and encourages them to use their judgment in selecting the right product and level for their child. The materials include “playbooks” with instructions for caregivers and some additional game components. – they are all free.
Challengers Cheer Program
The Manchester Eagles are NH Pop Warner first ever Challengers Cheer Division!! The mission of this program is to bring the Pop Warner experience to those special needs individuals ages 5-18 by July 31st 2016 in the city/towns of Manchester, Londonderry, Goffstown, and Weare. If you do not have a Pop Warner team in your area that has a challenger Division you are welcome to join us at the Manchester Eagles.
The overall goals are to enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment. By establishing a Challengers Division, the Manchester Eagles are providing a opportunity for everyone to be on the sidelines cheering on our football teams and preforming as a team The program will be modified to meet every child’s ability. This is a great opportunity for kids to feel the excitement of being involved in a team sport, build lasting friendships, get exercise while having fun, and showcase their spirit!
We will:
Emphasize meaningful participation, teamwork and fun!
Each player will have a buddy who will assist them
Build self esteem
Make new friends
Participate in cheer competitions
Sideline cheer at football games
2016 registration fees are waived for Challenger Athletes
If you are interested in this program or know someone who might be please contact Amy Lesko Manchester Eagles Cheer Coordinator at eaglesmomof4@yahoo.com
DreamCatchers New Hampshire
DreamCatchers New Hampshire is an organization that provides social and confidence-building activities for individuals with different intellectual, social and learning abilities. Programs are provided through groups spread throughout New Hampshire, similar to the way that the Scouts operate. Groups are called “Chapter Sites.” Each Chapter Site is led by a site leader who coordinates meetings and activities using our resource manual as a guide. Members share in social activities and help develop and participate in projects in which they give back to the community in some manner. Site leaders provide guidance and direction to members with the goal of building self-confidence and empowerment.
Chapter Sites:
DreamCatchers in Goffstown – Members are from Goffstown and New Boston. The chapter site leader is Michele Petersen. Generally, member meetings are held on the 2nd Friday of each month at Mountain View Middle School. In addition, one planned activity is held on a designated Saturday. For more information or to register your child, email the chapter site leader at michele@DreamCatchersNH.org or 603-785-0824.
DreamCatchers – Timberwolves in Alton – Located at Prospect Mountain High School in Alton, NH. The Chapter site leader is Lois Stevens. Member meetings are held once each week after school on Thursdays. In addition, some Saturday activities may be planned for members sometime during the upcoming school year. For more information or to register your child, contact Mrs. Stevens at 603-875-3800.
DreamCatchers – Pals in Bow – Located at Bow Memorial School in Bow, NH. The Chapter site leader is Gayle Gardner. Member meetings are held once each week after school on Wednesdays, from 3:10 to 5:30pm. In addition, some Saturday activities may be planned for members sometime during the upcoming school year. For more information or to register your child, contact Mrs. Gardner at 603-225-3212, ext. 0.
Cawley DreamCatchers in Hooksett – Located at Cawley Middle School in Hooksett, NH. The Chapter site leader is Kimberly Harriman. Meetings are held after school every other Thursday, from 2:30 to 4:30pm. In addition, some Saturday activities may be planned for members during the upcoming school year. For more information or to register your child, contact Ms. Harriman at 603-518-5047.
DreamCatchers – Pride in Penacook – Located at Merrimack Valley Middle School in Penacook, NH. The Chapter site leader is Ashley Williams and the school liaison is Elaine Dodge. Member meetings are held every other Monday, from 2:30 to 4:30pm. In addition, some Saturday activities may be planned for members sometime during the upcoming school year. Students from the middle school and Merrimack Vally High School are welcome to join. For more information or to register your child, contact Ashley Williams at ashleylynn_20@yahoo.com or 603-753-6336 OR Elaine Dodge at (603) 753-6561 or edodge@mvsdpride.org.
DreamCatchers – Pittsfield Middle High School – located at Pittsfield Middle High School in Pittsfield, NH. The Chapter site leader is Rebecca Towle and the school liaison is Donna Lehmann. Member meetings are held every other Wednesday, from 12:45 to 1:45pm. In addition, some Saturday activities may be planned for members sometime during the upcoming school year. For more information or to register your child, contact Rebecca Towle at rtowle@pittsfieldnhschools.org or 603-435-6701.
Sunset Hill Educational Institute
Sunset Hill Educational Institute (SHEI) provides holistic services and programs that include health promotion, wellness education, career counseling and life skills training.
SHEI professionals work one-on-one with two under served populations:
- Youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 who are struggling to develop positive life and job/career skills.
- Individuals 16 and older who have become physically disabled due to a medical condition or accident, and need to learn new personal life and career skills to live a purposeful, productive life.
Wheelchair Health In Motion (WHIM) is a peer-driven program that provides the tools for increasing quality of life and promoting wellness in individuals living with a physical disability through innovative chair exercise and peer support within their own community.
Sunset Hill Educational Institute
222 Blaisdell Hill Road
P.O. Box 435
South Sutton, NH 03273
Team IMPACT
Team Impact enhances the lives of children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses by matching them with college athletic teams. Through a structured ‘matching methodology’ they establish and cultivate these relationships to ensure a successful experience and that meaningful bonds are formed. The result is an extended support network from which the child can derive more laughter, strength and support.
Zebra Crossings
Zebra Crossings, based in Dover, NH, provides a broad range of day and overnight programs throughout the year for children with a chronic health condition. Programs serve youth who have a chronic health condition and those at risk of developing a chronic health condition. Programs are held at various locations throughout the New Hampshire Seacoast. Activities include recreational activities, such as art projects, sports, group games, archery, swimming, climbing wall, ropes course, kayaking, and more.
Manchester Community Music School
As part of the mission to change lives through the power of learning, sharing, and making music, the Music School launched the first music school supported Music Therapy Program in New Hampshire in the Fall of 2006. Understanding the profound ways in which music therapy can impact the lives of students with special needs, the Music School partners with 18 area agencies and schools to reach as many students as possible in the most cost-effective manner. In addition to this community service, we also serve clients on-site at the Music School.
Lakes Region Disabled Sports
Lakes Region Disabled Sports is the new name for the same great program that has offered excellence in adaptive instruction at Gunstock for the past ten years.