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Caregiving can be isolating.

The need for real connection and community support for families affected by special needs is undeniable! Why? There are often multiple services available for their children but little to no community support for them so parents/caregivers can feel
extremely overwhelmed and very alone.

R[4] is working hard to change that!
Help create amazing opportunities for caregivers and their families to finally feel supported, appreciated,
understood and loved.
Reach out today...

According to a recent report, there are approximately 16.8 million parents and caregivers in the United States who are caring for special needs children. This can be a challenging task, as many of these children require extra attention and care. These caregivers often have to balance their own personal and professional responsibilities with the needs of their children, which can be overwhelming at times.

Caring for a loved one can take a significant toll on a person's physical and mental health.  This is not surprising considering the amount of stress and physical strain that caregiving can entail. It is important for caregivers to prioritize their own health needs and seek support from others when necessary.

Caregiving is an essential role that millions of people around the world take on every day. It can be incredibly rewarding to care for a loved one, but it can also be a challenging and emotionally taxing experience. It's not uncommon for caregivers to experience symptoms of depression. The constant stress and responsibility of caring for someone else, combined with the potential loss of personal time and social connections, can take a significant toll on a caregiver's mental health.

Caregiver burnout among parents of individuals with special needs is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can occur when a caregiver doesn't receive the support they need. Caregivers need to seek support and connection with others in similar situations but doing so can be next to impossible. There just are not many groups or organizations offering support for parents/caregivers. Your gift helps these amazing caregivers avoid burnout by gifting them the opportunity to become an integral part of an amazingly inclusive community of families driven to encourage, inspire and empower one another! 

If you or a loved one need some extra support or encouragement, please reach out. R[4] is here for you.

Your donation DOES make an impact!

Your gift brings smiles to the faces of those who get to finally experience meaningful and transformational connection. Each dollar you give provides parents/caregivers with opportunities to experience respite, community and support not only for them but for their entire families. Through our Mom’s Lunches, Inclusive Family Worship Services and special family gatherings called Family Day Retreats, together, we are creating safe, inclusive spaces for all to be seen, heard, valued and loved. And aren't those the things that we all seek?

Make an impact today.

What does my gift actually provide?

Acceptance

"My boys are high energy [so] we go very, very few places especially with all three of them. They were accepted and when one started being aggressive later in the day, his buddy stepped in to lend a helping hand without judgement. They have talked all week since the retreat about the fun they had. I feel blessed that we got to take part in this. I came away refreshed from having some time off and the boys came home full of stories about their day. Thank you so much for doing this. I was really wondering when we signed up if the boys would be accepted, if they would fit in, etc. but it was such a wonderful experience. Thank you." 

The Impact

Our mission is to encourage, inspire and empower individuals with special needs, their parents/caregivers and their families. R[4] continues to develop unique ways to bless this extraordinary community; encouraging deeper connection, and inspiring a strong, inclusive community that empowers change. Building these relationships over the years with so many incredible families across the country has been an incredible honor.

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 A Deeper Impact

Become an R[4] Partner today. Your monthly gift creates an even deeper impact and makes a HUGE difference all throughout the year. It is the most effective way to partner with families to create even more opportunities for connection and support. 

How Caregiver Isolation and Burnout is Transformed into Belonging and Empowerment

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The Interlude -

Inclusive Worship Services

Join us  for an exciting and inclusive time of worship and celebration for the whole family! With exciting music and special family activities based on the theme of the service, this service will bless everyone who attends. Open to ALL families, ALL ages and ALL abilities.

Mom’s Lunch

Monthly lunches at local restaurants in North Texas. This is a safe space for moms of individuals (children or adults) with special needs to get together to hear stories from other moms, tell their own story if they’re comfortable doing so and to find their voice in a non-threatening and inviting environment.

Family Day

Retreats

Come join us every other month  for a special time of community building and family fun. At each retreat will have different options for both kids and parents/caregivers. Come check it out! You'll be glad you did.

Events

  • Mom's Lunch - Kaufman/Rockwall County 2025
    Mom's Lunch - Kaufman/Rockwall County 2025
    Multiple Dates
    Fri, May 09
    Onassis Greek Taphouse and Kitchen
    May 09, 2025, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
    Onassis Greek Taphouse and Kitchen, 760 W Ralph Hall Pkwy #120, Rockwall, TX 75032, USA
    Come join other moms like you for a time of conversation and connection over lunch.
    Share
  • Mom's Lunch - Tarrant County
    Mom's Lunch - Tarrant County
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, May 10
    Location is TBD - Watch for updates.
    May 10, 2025, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDT
    Location is TBD - Watch for updates.
    Do you long for some adult conversation with other moms who have kids with special needs? There's a special connection that is formed when a group of moms sits down for an uninterrupted lunch to just talk about life. It's absolutely refreshing!
    Share
  • Family Day Retreat
    Family Day Retreat
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, May 17
    May 17, 2025, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    Dallas, 7500 W Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75236, USA
    Join us for a fun afternoon away with all the bells and whistles of a camp retreat for the whole family! Respite time & community for mom and dad and crazy cool camp activities for kids of all ages and abilities.
    Share
  • R4 Interlude - Interactive Worship
    R4 Interlude - Interactive Worship
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, Jun 21
    Jun 21, 2025, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    Dallas, 7500 W Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75236, USA
    The R4 Interlude is an opportunity for families who have children with special needs to worship together as a family in an inclusive environment where people of all ages and abilities are welcomed and encouraged to worship God in their own unique way.
    Share
Events
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| Encourage | Inspire | Empower | Family |

Address for R[4] Office and Events:
7500 W. Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75236
(Activity Center)  
on the campus of Dallas International University/ Summer Institute of Linguistics
Mailing Address: 7500 W.Camp Wisdom Rd #84, Dallas, TX 75236

  email: jkoesema@r4retreatcenter.org    |    Phone: 972-689-4518

 

© 2025 by R[4] Retreat Center, Inc. Proudly created with Wix.com

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