Mission: The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project is a non-profit organization that has been founded by Robert & Kristen Malfara in honor of their precious son, Morgan, who has Leukodystrophy. Robert & Kristen feel honored to have been chosen to be the loving and caring parents of this very special heaven-sent child. They also feel that it is their privilege to do so. The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project is a national, community-based organization of volunteers dedicated to promoting awareness and facilitating support of parents caring for their children, adolescents and young adults with special health care needs, thereby enhancing the Quality-of-Life for these special families. Additionally, we serve individuals in our community with mobility and other physical impairments. Named for our founder's son, Morgan, our acronym stands for Making Opportunities Reality Granting Assistance Nationwide. Our mission is "to provide the tools for a therapeutic and fun experience to individuals with physical and developmental needs". We do this through our 5 unique Quality of Life support programs and volunteer outreach. We are not disease-specific (unlike many) and have been lovingly created to support and assist families caring for someone with disabilities, regardless of the underlying disease or disorder, all at little or no cost to the families.
Results: There is a growing awareness that many activity and health disparities reported among children with disabilities are not a direct result of the disability or disorder, but rather a result of the challenges children with disabilities face in fully accessing the environment, community services and programs. Through thoughtfully planned environments and carefully selected play elements, communities can create opportunities to ensure that children of all abilities can be physically and socially active through play and recreation. Compared to the general population, research shows that children with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities have a substantially greater difficulty participating in regular physical activity. Our Sensorium and new Garden Sensorium give these children an appropriate place for expressive play - as well as their typically developing siblings and peers - allowing them the freedom to play alongside them and enhancing Quality of life for the entire family.
Target demographics: medically fragile children with special health care needs
We are so proud to be the ONLY Snoezelen-based multi-sensory environment in our community that is 100% wireless and 100% accessible AND open to the general public! Both our indoor Sensorium and our outdoor Garden Sensorium have been specifically created for children with disabilities and/or sensory processing disorders.
The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project is a one-of-a-kind not-for-profit offering services and equipment to children with special needs and their families throughout the U.S. Through its grant program, families are able to receive equipment (wheel chairs, bath chairs, etc.) that they may not otherwise be able to afford at no cost. At Morgan's Place in Melbourne, FL, the M.O.R.G.A.N. Project offers a unique experience for children with special needs in the "Sensorium," a multi-sensory environment designed specifically to stimulate interaction and reaction from those who use it. Through the hard work of its Executive Director and staff, the M.O.R.G.A.N. Project continues to grow and expand its reach to help more families and children with special needs. I am proud to be a Board Member and a part of this organization and the good that it does - and will continue to do - in our community.
The M.O.R.G.A.N Project serves a great cause. It is very rewarding to volunteer at Morgan's Place. It really makes you feel good when you see the looks on children's faces when they come here. They really light up! Thank you Kristen for creating such a wonderful place!
I am a volunteer with The M.O.R.G.A.N.i Project in addition to being a Board Member and a special education teacher. I volunteer in the Sensorium and facilitate the parent/child team as they interact with sensory equipment. The children have a variety of disabilities, although most that I have worked with are on the autism spectrum. I notice increased verbal output, eye contact and social interaction when children visit our center. I bring my class to the Sensorium at Morgan's Place for a field trip each year. Parents have been impressed with the Sensorium and have taken advantage of the facility for birthday parties.
The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project is a wonderful cause that I am proud to help support as a local business owner. The new M.O.R.G.A.N. Place is absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to bring my son who is on the Autism Spectrum to come out and enjoy the sensorium. They do wonderful things for people who really do appreciate it.
The M.O.R.G.A.N Project is so wonderful! Morgan's Place is a safe and fun place for my son (7) with ADHD and Autism to go and experience all of his senses. He just loves the multi-sensory room and the swings. I am so glad that I found Kristen and all she has to offer here. I love the fact that I can now give back to the community a bit of my time by being a volunteer her as well.
