Walking through the doors of Buddy Club last month, she held her son’s hand with the practiced calm of a single mom who has learned to manage everything on her own. She checked him in, spoke gently to him, exchanged a few details with our volunteers, and then just as she turned to leave- she paused.

With a small, almost bewildered laugh, she said:

“Well... what do I do with myself now?”

It wasn’t a joke.

It wasn’t sarcasm.

It was honest.

It had been so long since she’d had a night to herself without responsibilities, hypervigilance, and the constant hum of caregiving, that she genuinely didn’t know what to do with the time that suddenly belonged to her.

Families of individuals with disabilities carry a load that most of the world never sees. They are the therapists, the advocates, the protectors, the researchers, the strategists, the calm voice during meltdowns, the night shift, the day shift, and every shift in between. Rest isn’t simply hard to find-it’s often nonexistent.

So when this mother suddenly had three uninterrupted hours in front of her, the freedom felt foreign. Her question, “What do I do with myself now?” was not the sign of an overwhelmed parent. It was the sign of someone finally receiving something that had been missing for far too long:

Respite. Real respite. The kind that breathes life back into tired bones.

Buddy Club is a monthly respite event for individuals with disabilities aged six and up. It exists for families who need a safe space where their loved one will be understood, supported, and genuinely enjoyed.

Every participant is paired with a one-on-one Buddy for the entire evening. These volunteers learn about communication styles, sensory needs, safety considerations, and how to support each unique individual with dignity, joy, and patience.

The atmosphere at Buddy Club is intentionally crafted:

Sensory-friendly activities. Movement spaces. Craft tables. Music. Quiet Sensory Room.

Activities that meet every ability level and interest.

Whether a participant wants to run, rock, paint, stim, sing, build, or simply sit beside their Buddy, there is room for that. There is room for them. And while they are being cared for with thoughtfulness and love, their parents and caregivers are -often for the first time in months or years- given the space to breathe.

That’s another question we hear often. Some parents linger at the doorway because relaxing feels unfamiliar. Others take deep breaths, trying to remember the last time they were relieved of responsibility. Some simply walk to their car and cry, not from sadness, but from release.

Buddy Club isn’t just a night of fun for participants; it’s a night of restoration for their families.

One caregiver shared, “This is the only place I can leave my daughter and not spend every minute worrying,” and another, “Buddy Club is our reset button. We wouldn’t make it without it.”

These testimonies aren’t just heartwarming; they reveal the depth of need. Without respite, families burn out. With it, they thrive.

Behind every moment of rest a caregiver receives is a volunteer whose willingness to serve makes it possible. Buddy Club runs because people show up month after month with open hearts and open hands.

They kneel down to meet a child at eye level. They learn nonverbal communication. They laugh, play, comfort, encourage, and adapt. They celebrate the tiny victories others might overlook.

These volunteers are the heartbeat of Buddy Club. They create the safety that allows parents to breathe.

To every Buddy who serves: thank you.

Your time is holy work. Your presence creates space for caregivers to rest. Your love brings joy to participants who often feel misunderstood in the world outside.

Buddy Club exists because you give yourselves so generously.

This season, as we reflect on the hope and peace Christ brings, may we also reflect on our calling to embody that peace for one another. Buddy Club is a living, breathing expression of that mission- offering rest to the weary, joy to the participants, and belonging to families who often walk alone.

As we celebrate Christmas, we invite our church family to pray for this ministry, support it financially, or even join our team of Buddies in the coming year. The need is great, but the impact is immeasurable.

Because every caregiver deserves a moment to breathe. Every family deserves support. And every parent deserves the chance to stand in a quiet hallway and say, with a smile they haven’t worn in too long-

“Well… what do I do with myself now?”