Players, buddies sought for fall soccer program
Teens, adults can sign on to help kids with disabilities
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

OLD BRIDGE - Area teens who are kicking around ideas for what to do with their Saturdays this fall can reach for goals while hanging out with newfound buddies in the "Just 4 Kixs" program.

"We just want some kids who are sensitive, have a big heart, and want to help out," program founder Karen Medeiros said.

The soccer program brings special needs kids ages 4 through 12 together with caring teens 13 or older, who guide them to do their best on the field.

Created as an inclusive team for children with disabilities, the program has many players with developmental and speech delays, autism, Asperger's syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), apraxia, Down syndrome and 22q deletion syndrome.

With the 10-week season kicking off Sept. 6, Medeiros and fellow organizer Carol Cavana are welcoming players and recruiting buddies to help them along.

According to Medeiros, buddies get a lot more out of the experience than the 10 hours of community service credit they receive for participating. Such volunteer work is a great addition to college or job applications. Besides, the rewards derived from helping a child make progress while having fun are immeasurable, she said.

"They really enjoy it," Medeiros said of the buddies. "Some of them said they might want to go into teaching ... it's just the thrill of saying, 'Wow, I reached this kid.'"

The team members take great strides under their buddies' tutelage, Medeiros said. They learn how to follow directions and reach goals, as well as acquire motor, speech and language skills. Social skills also flourish in the program, as does children's self-esteem.

Despite the major payoffs of participating as a buddy, the requirements are few. Buddies do not need experience with special needs kids, nor do they need to know how to play soccer, or even be athletic for that matter. Patience, persistence and responsibility are all that is asked of the teens.

"There is no demand on them - no pressure," Medeiros said.

Though teens have comprised the majority of buddies, adults are also welcomed, according to Medeiros. A couple of adults who helped out last year liked it so much they are coming back.

"It's great to have an adult to be there with the kids, helping them along," Medeiros said.

Typically, the program places a buddy with each child on the team, though some children require the help of two, Medeiros said. She also usually has a couple extra volunteers who give a helping hand to the coaches.

So far, about 20 buddies have signed on for the season, but the average total number necessary is about 50.

Though she hated to do so, Medeiros said she was forced to turn away kids from 10 families last year, due to a lack of buddies. For this season, she had to set the player limit at 45, she said.

"If I get a lot of buddies, then I could take more kids," Medeiros said.

Medeiros understands the need to make "Just 4 Kixs" available to as many children as possible. All three of her 6-year-old triplets are involved in the program. Simon lends a hand on the field to his brothers, Maxwell and Nicholas.

To register a child as a player, you can e-mail Karen Medeiros at supermommy@ optonline.net, or call 732-580- 1910. The cost is $40 for one child; $60 for two children; or $80 for three or more children. Siblings are also welcome, to serve as role models for other players at no charge.

A parent of each child must fulfill a work bond of one hour on a Saturday during the season, which will include assisting coaches and helping with cleanup after the hourlong session.

To become a buddy, e-mail Carol Cavana at gunther702@aol.com, or contact Medeiros.

Games are played at Ticetown Fields, off Ticetown Road.