Old Poway Park draws a lot of visitors on Saturday mornings with its farmers market, boardwalk craft fair and train rides.
But the park was even more lively on Feb. 28 with the Celebrate Every Ability — Community Resource Fair and Family Fun Day. It was the first family resource event for individuals with special needs.
Hosted by Generations Day Care, Unified Esports League and Parent Ambassadors of PUSD, the event provided an opportunity for families to connect with a variety of resource services, support services and inclusive activities for individuals of all abilities. Lining the park were 28 vendor booths featuring businesses with expertise in education, wellness, recreation and independence.
“Inclusion is not just happening in the classroom, it has to happen in the community,” said Regina Wang, Poway Unified School District’s parent engagement liaison who facilitates PUSD’s parent ambassador program and helped organize the resource fair.
Carita Kim, PUSD volunteer parent ambassador with Regina Wang, PUSD’s parent engagement liaison who coordinated the resource fair. (Amy Shireman)
Wang said she chose Old Poway Park in the hopes of drawing in the wider community. Wang said she hoped holding the resource fair in this location will give everyone the opportunity to learn more about inclusive activities.
She said the larger the network that can be built for parents to help find resources for their kids, the greater the chance they will find the support they need.
“Every family’s needs are so different and diverse,” Wang said.
Carita Kim, a PUSD parent ambassador, was among those informing families about the program. This all-volunteer group consists of district parents who support parents of students with individualized education plans.
Kim said the parent ambassador program helps to build community and navigate the services students receive at the district level.
“We all feel like we’re on our own individual island,” Kim said. “And then we get to realize that we’re all actually not.”
James Kim with his mother, Carita Kim, who is a PUSD parent ambassador. James performed with Elite TKD Academy/SDTC in the gazebo. (Amy Shireman)
Kim, whose son was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at age 3, said her family has had a wonderful experience at PUSD. Kim said her son James, now 12 and in sixth grade at Bernardo Heights Middle School, recently made the honor roll.
Throughout the event, Old Poway Park’s gazebo was the venue for live stage performances and program demonstrations. These rotating demonstrations highlighted organizations with custom programs supporting individuals with special needs including dance companies, a Taekwondo studio, cooking opportunities and music demonstrations.
Among those performing were students in Danceology’s adaptive dance program in 4S Ranch. Their numbers included a free dance where they twirled ribbons in the air to “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift and a choreographed routine to Swift’s “Opalite.”
For 15 years, Danceology has offered classes on Friday afternoons for individuals with special needs.
Julia Pearson, director of Danceology’s adaptive dance program, said her studio offers many dance classes including lyrical, jazz and ballet. Her dancers perform in June and December.
Gracie Farrow, in front, was among Danceology’s adaptive dance program students who performed. She is with Katharine Farrow; program director Julia Pearson and dance teacher assistant Lucy Moss. (Amy Shireman)
“I like to dance, it’s my thing,” said Gracie Farrow, 17, a 10-year member of Danceology’s adaptive dance classes.
Farrow said her favorite styles of dance are ballet and hip-hop, and her best friend also dances at the studio.
Giancarlo Valdez, 26, demonstrated his martial arts techniques in the gazebo with Master Daniel Kim, owner and chief instructor of Elite TKD/SDTC, a Taekwondo studio in 4S Ranch.
Angie Robinson and her son, Giancarlo Valdez at the Celebrate Every Ability — Community Resource Fair and Family Fun Day. (Amy Shireman)
Valdez, who holds a purple belt in taekwondo, attended with his mom, Angie Robinson. She said her son has been working with Kim for two years. Valdez receives one-on-one lessons using voice commands and touch guidance due to his vision impairment.
Valdez, who is also on the autism spectrum, said he enjoys the different techniques he learns from Kim, including tips for breaking boards, such as knife hand, axe kick and switch kick.
Giancarlo Valdez, right, demonstrating his taekwondo skills with Master Daniel Kim, founder and owner of Elite TDK Academy/SDTC in 4S Ranch. (Amy Shireman)
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Giancarlo Valdez, right, demonstrating his taekwondo skills with Master Daniel Kim, founder and owner of Elite TDK Academy/SDTC in 4S Ranch. (Amy Shireman)
“I want to inspire people and show them what I am capable of,” Valdez said.
Del Norte High graduate Jonathan Garcia, 26, attended with his caregiver and friend Nishoth Vaidya. Garcia, born with cerebral palsy, was a member of Del Norte’s wrestling team. He won ESPN’s Honorary ESPY Award for courage, perseverance and inspiration after competing in his first varsity high school wrestling match. The award honors athletes for excellence in sports performance.
Garcia was at the event to promote On the Mat, a fitness program he started for individuals with physical and cognitive challenges. Garcia said he started this program to help encourage movement and inspire others.
Caregiver Nishoth Vaidya and entrepreneur Jonathan Garcia, 26, attended the event to promote Garcia’s fitness program, On the Mat, which is designed to encourage movement in individuals with physical and cognitive challenges. (Amy Shireman)
Melanie Lieber, founder of Next Step Advocacy, hosted a booth at the event. Lieber spent 12 years as a special education teacher in PUSD and holds a master’s degree in special education.
After welcoming her first child in August 2024, she left the classroom to start a company that helps families navigate the IEP process in public schools. Lieber said she understands how overwhelming this journey can be and is committed to supporting her clients every step of the way.
“I partner with parents and help them understand what their rights are and what they are entitled to. I want families to understand what they are signing and reading,” said Lieber, who has written and facilitated hundreds of IEPs as a special education teacher. She attends IEP meetings with her clients as part of her services.
Templars Hall offered attendees a break from the midday heat. Comfort Care, a respite agency in San Diego, donated its time and set up indoor activity stations featuring face painting, bubbles and crafts for children. Kids also had fun playing on two video gaming stations set up on stage, courtesy of the Unified Esports League. Also participating was the San Diego chapter of Best Buddies. Its members played card and board games with kids.