Shining Abilities' mission is to promote a safe and positive environment while empowering our friends to see their unique and limitless potential. Through recreational and life skill opportunities, Special Olympics, and vocational based day programming we will encourage each other to celebrate our strengths and shine within our communities.

Shining Abilities vision is to provide services to enhance our friends involvement in their community and lead fulfilling and productive lives while entering into adulthood. This will be accomplished by offering a variety of programs to support continuing education and life skill development, promote whole body wellbeing, and socialization. All while inspiring our surrounding communities to see the value we all have to provide.

Hi my name is Debbie, everyone knows me as Beau's Mom. As a Parent with someone who has Special Needs, or as we say Special Abilities, it is a Blessing!! From day one when Beau was born, we were told Beau has Down Syndrome, no problem, we welcomed Beau into our family with open arms and Loved him for who he was!!! We didn't treat him any different , but just as our son! Sure it was a little harder for Beau to do certain things, but we pushed thru! My husband and I started to make sure Beau would have everything he needed to become the very Special Young Man that he is now! Sure you have your ups n downs, but everyone has them. We both got involved in everything we could in the Down Syndrome and Special Needs World so we could help Beau strive, and to help other families too. We are also Coaches for Special Olympics!! Wow, what an experience that everyone should see!! We got Beau involved and included in everything! Everywhere Beau goes he always lights up a room and everyone knows him!! Well, Beau is now 22 years old so we need to work on more skills to keep striving.

So this brings us to our new Family, Shining Abilities - Northern Lights Special Olympics. We are a not-for-profit organization committed to the well being of our Special Needs community. We have about 200 families, so far. We as Families with children with special abilities are working together to help promote better life skills, continuing education, vocational based day programing, Special Olympics, helping and working in the communities to show the strengths and positive nature of our unlimited potential we have to offer!! So, with this said, we are asking for everyone to try to please help us with our efforts to get this up and running so our kids can show the world of communities that: "YES I CAN DO ANYTHING WITH A LITTLE HELP!!"

Thank You in Advance for your support and Hope to see You in the Community or at Special Olympics!!!

Debbie Pogose, Beau's Mom!!