Connection Ubuntu believes that the world is a global community where all members have the right and freedom to be active and valuable participants when given the technological tools and knowledge needed for successful global community engagement and local community self-sufficiency.​

"Ubuntu: I am what I am because of who we all are.”

Join Us For a Voyage To Kenya In January 2024!
We still have 2 seats left for this trip and we'd love for you to join us! More than just viewing the African Wildlife, this is your opportunity to meet the people of Kenya and learn about the culture and country. In our travels we'll visit some of our computer labs in Kenya and also have a "first time ever meet and greet" with out lab partners for a celebration of Connection Ubuntu's work in Africa! The best Kenyan guide Obiadiah Muraya will lead us all during our travels, along with providing magical and amazing safaris at one or two of the Kenyan game parks. We are still in the planning stages for the upcoming trip, but please email us at [email protected] with any questions! To read our full newsletter please visit our website.

All children, regardless of ability and disability should have the opportunity to engage in meaningful recreational activities with their peers. The child using a wheelchair, the child with a seizure disorder and the child who requires hand-over-hand assistance in completing all tasks can attend the programs offered at Aaron’s Acres. No child is ever turned away. Aaron’s Acres can accept everyone because it has nurses on staff as well as a low staff-to-child ratio (1:1 or 1:2). In addition, the supervisory staff is comprised of professionals (usually special education teachers) who have the knowledge and experience in working with this population. 

Monthly programs are held during the school year and a camp program is offered during the summer. Going to Hershey Park, bowling and miniature golfing are just a few of the outings that the older participants (ages 13-21) do during the school year. The younger group (ages 5-12) has dinner together, and then they participate in a variety of activities focusing on building and strengthening socialization and communication skills. Engaging in “typical” activities with their peers while having the appropriate support as needed is what Aaron’s Acres focuses on throughout the year. During the summer, participants visit a therapeutic riding center, participate in fitness activities, swim daily, create craft projects, partake in music therapy, and visit with a petting zoo, reptiles and watch an entertainer and a ventriloquist. 

The team at Aaron’s Acres often hears, “So, you run a summer camp for kids with disabilities… they must have so much fun!” Yes, Aaron’s Acres has an awesome summer camp program, but it also has monthly programming during the school year. And while the participants have fun, program is so much more!

Picture a child creating an art project using glue, pom-poms, construction paper, markers, pipe cleaners and googly eyes. Throughout this activity, the child is working on his fine motor skills. Running, jumping, and throwing or kicking a ball are all gross motor activities that participants do while they are having fun. Staff can support and assist each child’s ability to engage in these gross motor activities. For the child who doesn’t communicate verbally, he can participate in music therapy with the group and play a musical instrument or dance with a colorful streamer as the music plays along in the background. For the child who uses a wheelchair, staff might support the child on each side (when out of the wheelchair) and help her complete an obstacle course or assist in moving her legs and arms to complete the assigned exercises.  

One group that meets during the summer is A-TEAM. This group is comprised of adolescents, ages 13-21, with high functioning Autism. Their activities focus on team bonding and collaborative experiences. A few examples include building a boat out of cardboard and duct tape, going kayaking or learning how to scuba dive. Aaron’s Acres has the time, the patient staff, and the supportive environment to allow these experiences to result in positive memories for everyone! 

The Aaron’s Acres Acts of Kindness Program (AAAOK) allows older participants to engage in service projects within the local community. Giving back to others and knowing that each person can make a difference in someone’s life occurs during this program for our participants. Running an Alex’s Lemonade Stand or playing bingo with residents at a nursing home are just a few of the projects that this group has done in the past. The Acts of Kindness program often results in a sense of confidence and increased self-esteem as the participants are helping others, rather than being seen as recipients of services. 
 
Aaron’s Acres is most fortunate in that it has been involved with Gifts That Give Hope for quite some time. The support that it has received over the years has helped to fund programs and ensure that it can continue to provide meaningful programs to children and young adults with varying disabilities. In addition to receiving funds, GTGH events provide so many opportunities to network and interact with the community. Relationships and connections are made with other non-profit organizations as well as individuals and result in increased awareness of Aaron’s Acres. Aaron’s Acres loves sharing stories with families looking for volunteer opportunities; having a young person visit the table and ask about programs is one of the highlights of the day. Because this event is usually around the holidays, often families allow their children to decide which organization they would donate to after they have asked questions to several non-profits. This event educates young people (as well as adults) which benefits the entire community! The team at Aaron’s Acres is most grateful that this event exists within our community. 
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Learn more about Aaron’s Acres at aaronsacres.org. 
Visit the Aaron’s Acres blog at https://aaronsacres.org/news-events/blog/. ​

It may be hard to believe that sex trafficking exists in the United States or that it could be as close to home as our state of Pennsylvania. However, the truth is that the horrific effects of sex-trafficking reach everywhere, including right here in Lancaster County. On March 24th, 2022, the newly launched Lancaster County Human Trafficking Task Force announced their very first successful operation, arresting 14 individuals associated with the trafficking ring. 

For every trafficking ring taken down, more and more women are freed. But they’re not really free. Homeless, traumatized, and addicted, most end up back on the streets.

They need immediate help, as well as long-term solutions. North Star Initiative provides restorative services to survivors of domestic sex trafficking by providing physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual care through a Christ-centered focus. Because we believe in the power of Jesus Christ and the effectiveness of restorative work, we own and operate The Harbor Restoration Program. 

In December 2017, we opened the doors of The Harbor, located in Lititz, PA, and became one of the few in the entire region and Lancaster County’s ONLY long-term restoration home for survivors of domestic sex-trafficking serving females ages 18-35. 

Trafficking literally and figuratively destroys these women, their identities, and their futures. The Harbor seeks to repair and restore what has been stolen, putting her on a path to find true freedom. The Harbor gives her a safe place to rest, and the support she needs to address her complex trauma. We provide her with the therapeutic tools and resources she needs to transition from victim to survivor. 
We also work with each survivor to re-establish their practical needs. We provide her with the necessary identification, education, job skills, and the life skills she needs to ensure a life of sustained independence. 
I want to share just how much of an impact our program has had on one of our graduate survivors. She says...

“The Harbor gave me a quiet, safe space to process the truth about the abuse I was subjected to and how it framed my worldview. The Harbor gave me all the time I needed to heal. They believed my truth when I didn’t even believe it myself. They loved me until I could learn to love myself again. They were my strength before I knew I could become strong. They truly were my rock, the soil where I learned to plant roots and trust God to water them again. I began to lose the fear of my sober consciousness there. I lost the fear of change and the fear of being alive all through the care and compassion the staff at North Star showed me. The opportunity to heal at this program is the greatest gift I have ever been given.” 
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We have had the opportunity to be a part of the GTGH fair for the last 3 years and have been blessed to be able to reach our community through this event. There are quite a few of our current donors who first heard about us just by coming to this gift fair and stopping by our table. Lancaster is a hub for sex trafficking, and the more our community hears about this important topic, the more they understand the need for an organization like North Star Initiative. We are so grateful to be a part of Lancaster’s annual Gifts that Give Hope Gift Fair and are excited to continue meeting our community members and educating them about the important work we do. Together, we CAN make a difference in the lives of sex trafficking survivors!

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