Buddy Break is program provided in partnership with local churches where kids with special needs (VIP kids) make new friends through Buddy volunteers, while caregivers are given a break. Buddy Break has recently teamed up with Sarah Miller of the Trinity Worship Center in Burlington to provide much-needed relief to the families of children with special needs in Alamance County.

VIPs are kids with special needs, which include any physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, or those who are medically fragile. This program is for VIP children ages 2-16 and their siblings. Buddy Break provides these children with “Buddies,” who are friends of VIPs and are paired with a VIP kid.

Buddy Break provides a much needed service to not only VIP kids, but also their families. The weight and stress of finding proper doctors, teachers, and financial resources for a VIP child’s care can be overwhelming. Opportunities for caregivers to take time for themselves are rare, yet desperately needed. Buddy Break provides a safe place for VIPs and their siblings to have fun and establish meaningful friendships with other kids and adults while their caregivers get a break.

If you are interested in becoming a Buddy at Trinity Worship, you can attend one of the training sessions that occur every Saturday from 10:00-1:00 pm. Questions or concerns can be directed to head children’s pastor, Sarah Collins, at [email protected]. Updates on Buddy Break will be provided weekly on www.twc.net as well as on its Facebook and Twitter pages.

Trinity Worship Center is located at 3157 S Church St. in Burlington, NC