Night Lights mission is to create safe and accepting environments by providing respite care for children who have special needs and their neuro-typical siblings.
Night Lights was started in March of 2011 at Waterstone Community Church by Kristin Steadman as a way to provide a few hours of temporary relief to primary care providers. Kristin found inspiration for Night Lights through her own journey of raising two children; one of which has significant special needs.
Night Lights provides free respite care for children ages 1 month to 13 years old who have special needs and their neuro-typical siblings, helping parents or caregivers have time to refresh, regroup, and take care of themselves. There is an onsite registered nurse to tend to medical needs of the children. Staff and volunteers are background checked and trained.
A family may participate in Night Lights if the child(ren) has/have one or more of the following:
- A diagnosis from a medical provider
- Medical documentation including but not limited to
- An IFSP, IEP, 504 from the county and/or school district
- Records from a physician
- Developmental, cognitive, emotional, and/or physical disabilities
- A sibling (ages 1 month to 13 years) of a child with special needs that participates in Night Lights
- Night Lights is held one Friday each month from 6:30pm – 10:00pm
- The kids enjoy activities such as gross motor, sensory play, free play, arts and crafts, pet therapy, entertainment, movies and snacks
- Each family does an interview with the Leadership Team prior to attending Night Lights to make sure their needs can be met
- Night Lights is free to the families that participate in the program
![Image[3]](https://nightlightskids.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Image3-150x150.jpeg)
