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Clients of SNR enjoy evening of music, dance

Volunteers Ashley Wallace, left, and Aliah Lynn sort out white batting to use as winter-themed decorations while setting up for the SNR prom. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Laura Umthun Correspondent
Volunteers Ashley Wallace, left, and Aliah Lynn sort out white batting to use as winter-themed decorations while setting up for the SNR prom. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

Aliah Lynn heard about Specialized Needs Recreation in her Senior Girl Scout Troop four years ago, and called immediately to volunteer. “SNR youth and adults get overlooked because of their disabilities,” says Lynn. “I really like getting to know all of them.”

SNR is a nonprofit organization that offers various recreation programs for youth and adults who have challenges participating in other programs because of a learning disability, sensory impairment or mental, emotional or physical handicap.

Lynn and friends Ashley Wallace, Jacklin Dickinson, Tyler Renniger, Aaron May, and Molly, Jeannie and Ruth Mcrae recently staged and organized the first-ever SNR Prom Night. Since July the group has met weekly to plan the formal dance.

The theme was “Winter Wonderland,” and the dance was held at Prairie View Elementary School in Post Falls. Volunteers decorated the gym and helped some of the 60 participants with hair and makeup before the dance began.

“The idea for prom night came about because many of the SNR clients had never been to a formal dance,” Lynn says. “I thought it would be fun for them to experience.”

Besides her activities as a Senior Girl Scout, Lynn volunteers with the Kootenai Medical Center’s Smile Squad, has been a KMC teen volunteer, is preparing to become a Big Sister, and is a junior honor student at Lakeland High School. Lynn would like to be a kindergarten teacher after college.

“I was instrumental in getting my mom to join the Smile Squad,” Lynn says proudly.

SNR is funded by United Way, the city of Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Rathdrum recreation departments, various grants and monthly fund-raisers. SNR receives donations and contributions from the community and local businesses to fund scholarship so individuals may attend various activities.

“SNR was started 20 years ago by Steve Anthony, (of the) Coeur d’Alene Recreation Department, and various interested parents,” says Angie Goucher, SNR executive director. “SNR serves Kootenai and the other four northern counties, in addition to parts of Washington.”

SNR sponsors Club Homestead meetings once a month where members have meaningful discussions on matters ranging from national and global events to personal concerns and achievements. Snacks and a movie are provided after meetings.

SNR also provides five to 10 activities per month such as dances, talent shows, bingo, cooking classes, pizza nights and trips to the Spokane Arena.

Camp Allstars Day Camp offers age-appropriate activities for youth ages 4 to 21. The camp is six hours a day, and transportation is provided to and from all activities.

SNR provides after-school programs once a week at Lake City High School, Room B-6, on Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and once a week at Post Falls Middle School, Room 201, on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Youth activities include a summer day camp that runs nine to 10 weeks throughout summer break; winter day camp from one to two weeks throughout winter break; and spring day camp, one week during the spring school break.

“SNR has minimum staff and relies on volunteers like Aliah,” Goucher says. “Volunteers help ensure that SNR participants enjoy a variety of activities.”