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What happens when the environments that are supposed to nurture and protect our youth fall short for those with special needs? Join me, Brad Warren, and my insightful guest Bekah Behnke, as we dive deep into this crucial discussion. Together, we provide practical strategies for creating a safe and inclusive space within youth ministry, designed to support and celebrate students with disabilities.

Reflecting on a year of growth and change, we unpack the significant strides made in our church’s disability ministry, including the heartening rise in volunteer involvement. By sharing personal experiences and insights, we dive into the nuances of recruiting and training volunteers who truly understand the diverse needs of students with disabilities. This episode also sheds light on the impact of generational shifts in understanding disabilities, particularly in how volunteers connect with students, illustrated by the experiences of Bekah’s daughter, Millie.

Language shapes our reality, and our conversation underscores the significance of respectful and inclusive communication. We explore the importance of people-first language, while also acknowledging the diverse preferences within the disability community.

Be sure to check out the new video version of this podcast on YouTube!

If you want to connect with Bekah, you can reach her by email at bekah.behnke@cco.church. Here is the list of books recommended by Bekah:

• Disability and The Church by Lamar Hardwick 
• No Disabled Souls by Jim Pierson 
• Leading a Special Needs Ministry by Amy Fenton Lee 
• Blessed are the Misfits by Brant Hansen 
• Disability and the Way of Jesus by Bethany McKinney Fox 

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• www.ciy.com
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• Email us at podcast@ciy.com