- April 19, 2024
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A new soccer program geared toward children with autism or who have been through a traumatic experience is now up and running thanks to the Our Children First Foundation.
The free, six-week athletic program, which kicked off on Sunday, Nov. 26, will be held at Port Orange's All Children's Park, 6007 Spruce Creek Road.
Around 25 children have signed up for the organization's program, with children ages 5 to 7 practicing during the first hour and ages 8 to 12 during the second.
"Most of the time, athletics is something that the kids aren't able to participate in," Christina Markoff, the organization's founder and CEO, said. "They have no free programs out there for these children so this is really why we're doing all this — so the children have a chance to participate and grow in a sport."
Previously, the organization set up an anti-bullying martial arts program that included mentoring, teaching the kids to de-escalate situations where they are being bullied. While learning anti-bullying strategies, the students have the chance to work toward earning their belts.
One of the coaches, Shannon Stephens, went to school for therapeutic recreation and played soccer in both high school and college.
"I just want the kids to be able to have fun out there and be in a place where they don't have to worry about any kind of insecurities, where they can just be themselves," Stephens said.
For more information on this and other programs visit facebook.com/nonprofitourchildrenfirst/.
