Pause is the most amazing resource for parents of children with all abilities. There is no other organization I have found to be this inclusive of diagnosis, geographical area, etc. they provide so much to families in terms of community, workshops, respite, holiday fun, and more! Their facilities are up to date and clean. They always have ample volunteer staff who are well trained. They are sensory friendly and have a calming space for people who may get overwhelmed during the event. They are so well organized and have so many activities and crafts. Events are stocked with snacks and depending on the event, even a full meal for kids and parents. They provide all of this free to families which is the biggest gift ever. Thrive nights are amazing! I always leave a Pause event feeling a little more hopeful and rejuvenated and secure in my parenting journey. My kids love it there as well with takes a huge burden off me when going and constantly ask when we get to go back. I am so thankful to have found Pause and I look forward to continue participating in their community and events.
They legitimately change lives. We were so afraid of and overwhelmed by what life had in store and even though we are still struggling through, we have a much brighter outlook.
PAUSE has been a tremendous experience for our family. It’s the one place that we can ALL interact and enjoy the activities together. Our first experience was when our then 5 year old autistic son went to the movie theater for the first time. We had been nervous about taking him to a public showing, not knowing how he would react to the loud sounds, stimulating lights, and an expectation to keep quiet. Everything that was planned by the PAUSE staff was well thought out and the atmosphere ended up being a perfect introduction for us. This one experience convinced us to keep attending PAUSE events including the annual Christmas party and a number of parent respite opportunities. The work Lisa and her volunteers do on a daily basis is beyond amazing and truly changes the lives of everyone involved.
Pause is our light. My kids love pause, when they know they are going to an event they are elated! Pause gives our family happiness and sometimes a break from the real world.
I cannot say enough good things about all that Pause has given to our family. Their programming and care for kids with special needs, their siblings, and their parents is incredibly thoughtful, meaningful, and intentional. Pause has given our family a place where we know we are welcome and accepted truly just as we are, and everyone there works so hard to provide rest, resilience, fun, and connection.
Pause is a wonderful support and provides community for special needs kids and siblings. You come as you are and you don't have to worry if you child has a meltdown or behavior. Their staff is the most caring individuals who love to help and provide support. We love to attend the events and often times my kid doesn't want to leave.
Pause has made such an impact to my family. They have such kind hearted volunteers and Staff that take such pride into making parents night out or any event fun for our kids. They give our kids so many fun activities that might fit their needs during these events. They put so much thought into preparing the activities. It warms my heart that we are part of such a wonderful caring community. Truly blessed to have them in our life.
A place where you can go and don’t have to apologize for how your kids are behaving that day. The most welcoming place for all types of families. They go out of their way to make each kid feel extra special. The hours spent to make sure all families are included and have an exceptional time at any of their events is remarkable.
Pause is a gift to our family! We have 3 children; one with severe special needs, one with mild and a fairly typical child. Pause provides a safe place for our child with special needs to experience games, crafts, stories, and play at his pace. Given the nature of his needs we cannot find a babysitter - so the breaks we get when they are at Pause truly help my spouse and I to have a couple hours of respite to rest, have a date, or just walk around. I would give 10 stars if it were an option!
Pause is a great place, where both my children can enjoy everyday activities and feel included. Pause provides support to the whole family. Pause has been a great resource in our life for many years. We appreciate all that they do!
Pause has been a lifesaver for our family and so many others. They serve the whole family and make a very real difference in the lives of families navigating the complexity of parenting a child with special needs. Very proud to be a part of this work.
We love PAUSE at Center Pointe Kids Ministry! The work they are doing to help connect, support and care for families in our community with differing needs is incredible! PAUSE has developed a Sunday morning program called CP Unlimited that they offer in our facility for families with children who have specific needs that can't be met in a typical kids ministry environment. CP Unlimited not only allows families the opportunity to attend church and connect with our faith community, they provide an individual learning experience that fosters faith growth for their kids in so many unexpected ways. The creativity and care of this organization is so special and I'm thankful they are a part of our Center Pointe family.
PAUSE team members have been supportive beyond the amazing work they do in CP Unlimited by meeting with our CP Kids Staff to help us learn and implement simple resilience strategies for our kids environments. Sometimes adapting a few techniques can make the difference for a child to be able to stay and enjoy an inclusive program. We still have so much to learn, but we are excited every time we can help a child grow in their learning experience.
Pause is an AMAZING organization that provides directed, caring, and effective assistance to both caregivers and those with special needs. The people who work for and with Pause have been wonderful and a blessing to our family in so many ways!
Pause is the most amazing support for our family! They provide support across so many perspectives including training, respite, fun themed events, and so many more. My kids beg to go to any of their events and never want to leave when it’s time. The staff and families have hearts of gold and are continuously working to improve experiences and find new ones to meet the families needs. You can’t put a price on finding a group like this that just gets it and where you’ve found a place where your children are accepted for who they are and they strive to have supports in place that allow them to be themselves and have fun!!!
I am a single Mama of four children, three of them with different complex extra needs. Pause provides a place for my family and I to play safely together. Here at Pause I can network with other families. At Pause I am able to connect with other parents like me. Pause is a place where everyone is welcomed. Pause creates a space that is safe for my kiddos needs and recruits volunteers that are helpful and sweet. it is very heartwarming. Pause recognizes the detailed needs of families with kiddos with special needs. Where other agencies might have a different focus, Pause focuses on making sure families who go through so much THRIVE!!
We moved to West Chester almost 2 years ago and right away found our home at Pause. We’ve moved SO many times and never was able to connect with other families so easily or find support for our family that compares to this. Even our typical kids ages 4-14 love spending time at Pause events and our special kiddo absolutely loves them. We found our village and our home!!!
Pause has changed the lives of so many. For my family, it has given us a community that we never knew existed. My kids are accepted where they are. They don’t have to mask their behaviors to be included. They can just simply be. For me, I have mom friends who can actually relate to my life. I needed that more than I can ever put into words. I needed acceptance as much as my kids needed it. We deserve acceptance and PAUSE has given us that.
Pause has been amazing for my family! They are such a supportive community and have gone above and beyond to provide resources, fun, sensory friendly activities, support, etc. to everyone in their organization. My husband and I feel very comfortable leaving our sons in their care for parents night out, respite events, and thrive nights.
PAUSE has been the answer to so many families’ prayers, crises and unspoken requests. The only challenge is PAUSE isn’t yet national. Families supported by PAUSE require and deserve a different level of felt safety and community. Through this organization, families feel valued, heard, capable and safe.
Pause has been such a fantastic organization. We have met many parents in the same situations as us and it truly is better to navigate some of these peaks and valleys together. From the activities they host to the training topics, Pause has it all covered. Truly appreciate all that the volunteers do to put a smile on our boys faces! Thank you! -Reece Family
Pause has been absolutely life changing for our family. Our oldest child received an autism diagnosis mid-pandemic and we were completely lost, isolated and alone. Pause welcomed us with open arms and they have been an incredible source of community, support and knowledge. Having a community of people going through similar challenges has been amazing and Pause has provided respite with professionals who don’t just expect to accommodate special needs, they thrive at the challenge. We love you so much Pause!
Pause has been beyond instrumental in my family’s life. We are beyond blessed to have this organization available to us. Truly, this is more than your typical organization — Pause is family. A network of amazing people who empathize, and “see” us. They say it takes a village, and I believe that Pause has played a pertinent piece in supporting my children’s journey (as well as milestones); by providing a spectrum of accommodations, resources & tools. With my Pause family, we feel safe. We feel that we are just like any ordinary family — and no one sees the labels. It’s all love, and compassion. Thank you, Pause. We are forever grateful.
We have been lucky enough to have our children participate in Pause's Parents Nights Out events, and we couldn't be more impressed with this organization. Not only do they take specific care of my son with extra needs, they also give some much needed love and attention to his typical older brother - win/win! Pause truly focuses on the entire family, as I was able to participate in a mom's self care event as well.
We love Pause! We have a sweet autistic, nonverbal son. Due to eloping, possible meltdowns and sensory overload our family has a lot of limitations as we do not want to set him up for failure. Then we found Pause! Pause has been a safe place for our youngest. A place where the workers/volunteers understand him and love him. A place he gets pizza. A place that has calming rooms to deescalate and that has his absolute favorite sensory room in the world where he knows he can find the trampoline and zip-line! I love what Pause provides for our youngest, but my favorite part is what it provides for my 2 older, neurotypical boys. They are great kiddos who never complain about the limits autism puts on our family. But Pause gives us something special they get to do because of their little brother! They love the special Pause outings to Neiderman farm where our family can relax because it’s all people who understand special needs and it’s not overcrowded. At events they are made to feel so special with the games, crafts, prizes, school supplies, Easter baskets, getting to shop for their family members on their own at the Christmas store and sneaking away for age appropriate activities in the teen loft. We are so grateful for all Pause does to take care of special needs kiddos, their siblings and parents!
Pause has been a huge blessing for us. It's definitely a challenge to find where you fit in this world, and having children with complex needs makes it even harder. My kids all feel welcome and accepted at Pause. The staff and volunteers are genuinely interested in them as people and make meaningful connections with them at every event. I also feel very supported as a parent. Pause provides many educational opportunities for us, as well as support and encouragement in so many ways. Their support in helping us with things like school supplies and holiday gifts allow us more breathing room to provide things and experiences for our kids. The connections we've been able to make with other families have been wonderful as well. I hope that they will continue to receive community support, because there are so many more families that need Pause!
After raising one child with extra needs in California with no respite other than grandparents, Pause has been such a blessing! When researching our move to the Greater Cincinnati area for work I found Pause and other amazing resources in Butler Co. and knew that’s where we needed to be. We’ve stayed in the area for 8yrs and now having three kids with extra needs I couldn’t imagine doing it without Pause! We get so much more than respite; the education, community, therapy, connection, etc. is priceless!
This organization has served my family for the past 8 years. Being a special needs parent is hard, but sometimes it's capital letter HARD. When we didn't have a place to connect, have fun or breathe Pause found us. My children have gone on to volunteer for the program and it has become a family mission to both participate and support. The world would be a lot different without Pause in it, but our world would be a completely different place.
We love Pause!! We have never felt so welcomed. Pause has provided so much support and encouragement for our family. Not only are they able to care for a medically complex kiddo, but they have also cared for the rest of our family. After new diagnoses, they made sure we connected with other families who understood and could provide support. We've also been able to connect with other businesses who have committed to supporting families with special needs.
Their community of parents and caregivers have provided so much encouragement to us that we have found significant strength in our own abilities as parents.
I honestly don't know that we would be in the position we are had we not found Pause.
Pause has been an invaluable lifeline for our family. From respite events where we know our children are loved and taken care of, to family and community outings that are safe and tailored to children with special needs, and trainings to help support caregivers, we've felt immensely blessed to have found this organization. The community, hope, and friendships we've made through Pause has truly changed the trajectory of our lives.
As a mom with two specials needs kids, Pause has been a lifesaver for our family. Not only do they provide respite care which is desperately needed for our mental health, they also create inclusive events that my children can attend. It's very stressful to bring two autistic kids to a typical event, but Pause creates events like Easter egg hunts and Holiday Shoppes where I can bring the kids without any judgement or stares. It feels good to have a community that truly loves my kids for who they are!
Pause is such a special place where you feel love, acceptance, and community. I interned with Pause when I was in college then was hired 6 years later after many other social
service jobs. There is no organization that I have found like Pause. Pause doesn’t put people in a box.. Pause meets the family where they are. My role as the Resilience Coordinator is to help kids thrive & to build resilience in our families. The best job EVER. The Pause Way “behavior philosophy” is trauma informed & resilience based. Pause values PEOPLE over programs. I have been able to implement Pause trainings not only at our events with our families, but also at home with my own family. Pause has changed my life!
PAUSE has been an amazing blessing to our family. Their events are so fun and include the whole family! They help facilitate the special needs ministry at our church and without them we would not be able to attend church with our son. They do everything they can to make my children comfortable and happy! We are so fortunate to have PAUSE and I recommend them to all special needs families I meet. We just love PAUSE and are so thankful for everything they do!!!
Pause has been a phenomenal experience for all three of my children over the last several years. My kids have learned new skills to calm and regulate their body, while embedded in fun activities that are hands on. My kids have developed new friendships, as well as my husband and I. Pause really lives out the mission of rest, support, connection, and fun by providing free opportunities all year round to children with extra needs. We are so grateful for this organization, as it has truly changed the trajectory for our family!
Pause is an AMAZING organization. I love working there and knowing the work I do is meaningful and making a difference in the lives of kids, families, and communities. As the Director of Family Strategy, it is my role to help shape programs and create a culture that cultivates resilience. At Pause we value people over programs, both internally and externally. That means we choose to work harder because people are worth it. We consistently go the extra mile doing things above and beyond and loving extravagantly, because our purpose is that people know their value so they can become who they were created to be. We do this through providing 1-1 supports for kids who need it, making and creating safe and fun environments, sending care packages to families who are going through a hard time, offering respite to families who need it, and listening to families needs through family conversations. Working at Pause isn't like being a cog in a wheel, it's like playing with wheels and creating vehicles that use wheels to do work that matters the most. It's not just a great place for families it's a safe haven for staff too.
I’ve been volunteering at Pause for over 6 years now and it has been tremendous to see the growth and expanded outreach of the organization. Pause has allowed me to form friendships and connections with families that I couldn’t have imagined possible when I first started volunteering. The events are incredibly organized and well run by the staff. Every event is full of good energy and it always keeps me coming back!
Pause has been instrumental in providing our family the community and support we have desperately lacked at a time when we needed it most. Our family knows firsthand how isolating a special needs condition can be, and how few resources and avenues are available in our area when families and caregivers need a little help, a break, or just someone who truly understands to lend an ear. Pause is changing lives for the better by offering families a place where they belong, a bit of rest and connection, and honestly, hope. There is a desperate need for these services in our area, with families driving long distances at times because Pause is the only organization stepping up to meet these needs. The staff and volunteers are amazing, supportive, professional and well-trained. The facility is modern, clean, safe and inviting. Pause is the real deal and I am so grateful to have found them.
Pause is an amazing organization that focuses on the entire family, kids & parents. The staff & volunteers create a fun & safe environment. Pause is also very well organized, everything they do is strategically thought out. I love this organization & the positive affect it has on so many families.
Pause is such a unique and special non-profit that fills a void where others shy away from. The organization focus’ on kids and families together where other organizations typically only focus on the kids. By putting the attention and approach on the entire family Pause enables families to Thrive and grow together! The passion and en TG5 that comes from every Pause worker and volunteer is second to none.
If you have not experienced Pause I encourage you to reach out and see how you can serve, support or be served… it will change your view, perspective and could even change your life!!
Pause is an incredible organization to be involved in. I have loved my time working as an intern at Pause. The space they provide for families, giving them respite and fun, is unique and important. The kiddos have such an amazing time when they are at Pause and caregivers get some time for themselves while feeling confident that their child is cared for. I have been to many of the events that Pause offers and every single one is so intentionally created to cater to the differing needs of so many kids. From behind-the-scenes work and working at the events everyone at Pause is so passionate about caring for kids and their families. Pause is such a unique and amazing resource for families, I am so proud to be a part of the team!
When I first started to volunteer at PAUSE, I was quite nervous to start. When I first walked in I was embraced with huge smiles and a friendly opening with everyone there. I truly love volunteering there!
I needed to find an organization for service hours, and after one night volunteering with Pause for Parents, Play for kids, I haven't stopped coming back! This is an amazing organization that not only supports the individual, but it supports the entire family, caregivers, siblings, grandparents, anyone involved in the child's support system. They value their employees which is something that is so refreshing to see. I actually loved volunteering with them so much I chose to intern here during my college years, one of the greatest decisions I have made in my college career! I loved working with the kids, parents, staff, everyone is always so kind and willing to help with anything even if it's not related to Pause! I can't say enough good things about them, I can't wait to hopefully see them keep growing and helping more and more families!
Pause is such an amazing organization! There is so much care and detail that goes into every portion of the programming. Everything is tailored to create a safe and welcoming environment for both families, kids, and volunteers. It is a gift to our community and I am thankful to have the chance to be apart of it!
Our family has been part of Pause for six years. I will never forget the first time we dropped off our kids for a Parents’ Night Out event. I had NEVER left them with anyone besides their grandparents and I was terrified. Our son had severe separation anxiety and he was crying so hard. The Executive Director took him in her arms and rocked him, and I knew we had found somewhere we fit. During those three hours, the team sent me pictures of my son having fun and I was able to relax knowing my kids were in good hands. As a special needs mom, I know firsthand the isolation, anxiety and grief that our Pause families process daily. I also know how rare it is to find somewhere and someone you fully trust to watch your kids. And Pause is so much more than that! It’s not just babysitting; they are pouring into our kids love, understanding and acceptance – not to mention teaching them life skills and providing a community of peers. One of my favorite events is the sib shop that is part of Thrive Night. Our older son often struggles with what it means to be a special needs sibling. This night gives him the opportunity to engage and connect with a unique community of peers who understand what he feels and experiences. One of the things that makes Pause so special is that EVERY member of the family has a place. There is support and acceptance for the children with special needs, connection and fun for the siblings, respite for the parents, and community for the entire family.
Pause does an incredible job making families feel welcome and loved. They leave feeling refreshed and full of hope.
I can't say enough good things about Pause! Pause is without a doubt the only thing that has held our family together at times! We were at a bad place a couple years ago. There was a lot of isolation and loss of hope. Thankfully we found Pause. Pause is so intentional about building connections and experiences. As a mom of special needs kiddo I am constantly fighting battles that the rest of the world will never know or see. The therapy appointments, evaluations, school meetings, county meetings and anything else that comes our way are exhausting. Special needs parents are tired on a whole new level. Not only do we have all of the appointments and therapies but we constantly fight to make sure our children's voices are heard. We constantly fight to allow our kids that don't fit a certain mold a place in society. My kid has levels of trauma from being misunderstand his whole life. Pause gets it! They are there so you don't have to walk through it alone. We were desperately searching for something to feel a part of. Our family was tired of feeling alone and misunderstood. We were tired of being shamed or made to feel unwelcome at community events/places. Pause puts so much hard work and effort into providing a safe place to support the entire family. They support the caregivers and the rest of the family. They do family fun events, respite, Parents night out/ Day out and many family fun activities. My son has made some friendships that have helped him not feel so alone. He is able to see there are other kids going through similar things or fighting their own battles. Pause is family to us! We were looking for respite but found so much more! My family is so very blessed to have pause be a part of our journey. Words will NEVER be enough to describe how much hope Pause has provided for myself and family. Our family is forever grateful!
Pause for Parents, Play for Kids began as one of those ideas that everyone talks about but no one believes could actually happen. Giving the overextended families of children with disabilities a few hours of respite from their ever present caretaking responsibilities is obviously a worthwhile goal, but the daunting task of coordinating the army of resources, volunteers, and outreach that would be necessary kept most from stepping up to the plate. However, the creators of Pause did not believe in letting these imagined limits stop them, and they created a phenomenon. Pause now serves hundreds of families, giving them a chance to come up for air in the midst of their stressful lives, while also providing a variety of other gap filling supports as well. It is a pleasure to work with the wonderful staff and leadership of Pause in Butler County, Ohio, and I hope to see it continue to grow within and beyond the borders of our county.