On the morning of November 23, 2024, Pearland volunteers joined individuals with special needs at the inaugural SMILE Wonder Kids event in Katy. This program builds on the success of the SMILE Inclusive Play & Learn series and was developed collaboratively by LSA and Hummingbird Community Outreach.
SMILE Wonder Kids is a semi-structured program led by youth, with each event focusing on one or two skill sets. Volunteers play a key role as buddies and station managers, guiding participants through activities tailored to their abilities to practice specific skills.
At the launch event, three activity stations were set up:
1. Food Kitchen – Focused on practical life skills.
2. Emotions – Designed to help participants identify and express feelings.
3. Block Building and Teamwork – Encouraged collaborative problem-solving and construction skills.
The final station served as a reward and prize area, reinforcing what participants learned through the activities.
The event marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for SMILE Wonder Kids, with Pearland volunteers enthusiastically supporting the program’s mission to empower individuals with special needs through fun and meaningful activities.
Volunteers (4.5 hours): Zoey Dou, Andy Shi, Erica Gao, Katherine Wu, Suya Yang
Parent on Duty: Carol Li
