two toddlers sitting criss cross with confetti

Family Engagement

We believe every child deserves the chance to experience the joy of childhood. The Family Engagement Initiative provides opportunities for enrolled children to experience meaningful celebrations alongside their families and community.

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The Family Engagement Initiative by Easterseals creates inclusive, meaningful experiences for children with developmental delays and disabilities—and the families who support them. These sensory-friendly events, held throughout the year, offer calm and welcoming alternatives to typical celebrations, allowing children to participate fully and comfortably alongside their peers.

More than just fun, these events foster community, connection, and empowerment. Families build supportive relationships, share resources, and engage with therapists and staff outside the home setting. Parents gain tools like social stories and strategies to support their child’s growth and confidence.

By partnering with local volunteers, students, and community groups, the initiative also strengthens awareness and understanding across Bexar County—ensuring every child is seen, supported, and celebrated.

Key Benefits:

Inclusive, sensory-friendly celebrations for children of all abilities

A welcoming space for families to connect, share, and support one another

Practical tools and resources to empower parents and caregivers

Opportunities for therapists to observe and support children in community settings

Collaboration with local schools and volunteers to promote inclusion and awareness

Trick-or-Treat Event- This event focuses on requesting and making children feel comfortable in social situations to make requests in whatever way they are able (verbally, signs/gestures, pointing to a communication symbol, etc.)

Silouette of two children with maracas and easter seals early childhood intervention

This event is designed to provide a perfect blend of entertainment and education. It will takes place during the annual Fiesta celebration in San Antonio. Families and their little ones will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of exciting activities from interactive crafts and games to watching live performers honor the culture of San Antonio.

Outreach coordinator holding large check awarded to ESRC Family Engagement by SASO girls

SASO (Scholars & Athletes Serving Others) Girls inspires and mobilizes teenage girls and their mothers to provide service that transforms the communities around them. We are grateful that SASO volunteers assist us with events and awarded us with a grant in 2024.

The Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience is the original Family Engagement event started prior to Covid. This event includes Santa photos for each family done by a professional photographer and other family friendly holiday activities.

Since 2021, Sonia Freeman, owner of Aria Productions, has been sharing her time, talent, and heart with our Easterseals families by capturing magical moments with Santa. For many families, Sonia has been the very first to take a professional photo of their child or their whole family—a memory that will be treasured forever. We are so grateful for the joy she helps create each holiday season!

ESRC Staff dressed as Alice in Wonderland characters

This event is designed to provide the opportunity to engage in a variety of exciting activities that are specifically tailored to target development and foster creativity. From interactive crafts and games to meeting some characters from the classic story, this event is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Banner with children's handprints they colored thanking HEB fpr support

The continued support from HEB makes Family Engagement events possible for our families.

Trick-or-Treat Event- This event focuses on requesting and making children feel comfortable in social situations to make requests in whatever way they are able (verbally, signs/gestures, pointing to a communication symbol, etc.)
This event is designed to provide a perfect blend of entertainment and education. It will takes place during the annual Fiesta celebration in San Antonio. Families and their little ones will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of exciting activities from interactive crafts and games to watching live performers honor the culture of San Antonio.
SASO (Scholars & Athletes Serving Others) Girls inspires and mobilizes teenage girls and their mothers to provide service that transforms the communities around them. We are grateful that SASO volunteers assist us with events and awarded us with a grant in 2024.
The Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience is the original Family Engagement event started prior to Covid. This event includes Santa photos for each family done by a professional photographer and other family friendly holiday activities.
Since 2021, Sonia Freeman, owner of Aria Productions, has been sharing her time, talent, and heart with our Easterseals families by capturing magical moments with Santa. For many families, Sonia has been the very first to take a professional photo of their child or their whole family—a memory that will be treasured forever. We are so grateful for the joy she helps create each holiday season!
This event is designed to provide the opportunity to engage in a variety of exciting activities that are specifically tailored to target development and foster creativity. From interactive crafts and games to meeting some characters from the classic story, this event is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
The continued support from HEB makes Family Engagement events possible for our families.