FIRE was founded in 1996 by a group of parents who shared a common dream; for their children with special needs to attend their parish schools with siblings and friends. Since that time, through the efforts of parents, a dedicated board of directors, many talented volunteers and community members who embrace inclusive Catholic education, more than $5 million has been granted to partner schools in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph (MO) to support inclusive Catholic education. The FIRE Foundation, an independent 501(c)3 organization, makes it possible for partner Catholic schools to hire special educators and paraprofessionals and to acquire learning materials and technology that create successful learning experiences for all children. Without grants from FIRE, most schools would not be able to welcome students with Down syndrome, significant learning disabilities, many who are on the Autism spectrum and students who face other special learning challenges. In inclusive learning environments, children grow up knowing and appreciating each other’s unique gifts.

The St. Joseph Cupertino program: • improves access to education for students with disabilities in the Catholic community. • engages students with disabilities who might not otherwise find access to a college experience

Parents are encouraged to access the resources below to gain a better understanding of their unique learners and their educational needs. Teachers can use the resources below to equip themselves to be more effective teachers and learn how to EMBRACE learners of all types.

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made is a support group for parents and caregivers of family members with special needs. Our group provides a safe place to discuss struggles, celebrate joys, learn together, and build fellowship. This is provided through Church of the Ascension.

Thank you to St. Michael's Knights for your support!

iCare Mass is at 6:00pm at St. Charles Borremeo at 900 Shady Lane Drive, Kansas City, Mo, 64118. A Mardi Gras dinner and party after Mass from 7:00-8:00pm! Hope you can celebrate with our KC friends of iCare!

On March 8, 4pm, iCare will sit together at the hockey game. Tickets are $20.00, and $5.00 is donated to iCare! What a blast. After the game, if you and your family want to skate with the Mavericks team players, you pay $5.00 to get on the ice! A link to buy tickets is coming soon. If anybody would like to carpool or follow each other, we could meet in the Queen parking lot. Stay tuned!

Amazon Smile Go to www.smile.amazon.com and type in iCare Ministries as your charitable organization. Once you choose iCare Ministries, it will save it on your account. You can add AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Your support will allow iCare to purchase adaptive religious supplies, art materials, meals, professional development for teachers, volunteer programs, and adaptive toys. You make iCare Smile!

Volunteer Need Service Hours or want to experience God’s abundant love? Become a Host Family at one of our Socials. As a family or single person, choose one of our ministry jobs; assist art projects in Religious Ed, Set up and serve dinner, play games with our special friends, or clean up. Call: 913-228-2551 or Email: peggy.icare@gmail.com.

We are one inclusive Catholic family, so we gladly switched our April social to help out a schedule conflict at Queen of Holy Rosary. Tomorrow night, 2.8.20, Come to Class and Mass as usual, but add our Minsky's Pizza Party, with games and prizes! Gluten and dairy free pizza will be provided, along with salad, and birthday cupcakes! 7023 W 71st St. OPKS, 66204. No Social on February 25. Mass only! Thank you for being flexible and we can't wait to celebrate Eucharist with you.

Join us to say thank you to God for being on a winning team! With our faith and the Chiefs! Share a pizza and salad dinner with lots of new games and Super Bowl give away prizes, as well as other prizes. Yes, of course, wear red! Does it get old? Not this week!

Join us on the eve of the KC Chiefs Super Bowl! 50 years is long enough to win back the title! Let's do what we do best! Pray for the Chiefs and all our concerns, share The Body of Christ, and then share a meal as the Body of Christ in our iCare community! Wear Red! Lots of prizes for Super Bowl swag and great games.

We are having a potluck to share! Please sign up at link below. Chili, sides or dessert! We have Super Bowl Swag for prizes and lots of fun games in basement of Queen of Holy Rosary! Wear your Chiefs shirts! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4CAEAD28A0F49-kcchiefs