In 2014, the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) opened its doors in San Antonio, Texas. With the community’s support, we have built a non-profit organization that offers comprehensive rehabilitation services for children and adolescents with neurological, muscular, and skeletal disabilities. We have been privileged to serve families from San Antonio and Texas, all over the United States and even other countries for nine years.

Thanks to the incredible doctors, therapists, social workers, and counselors who make CRIT a magical place, our patients have amazing stories of progress in all areas of their lives. But undoubtedly, none of this would be possible without the team of volunteers who dedicate themselves to accompanying each of our patients and their families on this rehabilitation journey.

The TeletonUSA volunteer program is the heart of the organization, with which we are proud to offer interpretation services for our Spanish-speaking patients, therapists, and doctors, among other activities. Many of the people who attend CRIT speak Spanish, so the interpretation services provided by our volunteers are extremely helpful. We ensure all parties can communicate effectively, providing that service whenever necessary.

Our volunteer team also collaborates on special events to help provide memorable experiences for CRIT patients and their families, from art classes to Christmas or Mother’s Day events and courses for our patients’ First Communion ceremony. In addition, they drive CRIT’s major fundraising events, such as our annual gala, golf tournament, fashion show, and the TeletonUSA event.

These are just some of the services that our volunteer program provides. The goal of a CRIT volunteer is to help ensure that every patient and their family feels accompanied and valued and to give a sense of comfort during the time they are in our facilities. Each volunteer makes it possible to live an authentic CRIT experience and enjoys giving their services in exchange for knowledge and community service hours, but above all, for the satisfaction they receive from helping.

Many are full-time students, parents, employees, and service members. Our CRIT has a diverse and talented group of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. In April, we join the national celebration in support of the incredible work of volunteering. But mainly that of the team of generous people who voluntarily support our CRIT. We celebrate each of them, both past and present, all those who have given their valuable time to make the best CRIT experience possible for our patients and families. Their passion for service is a fundamental part of what we do.

If you or someone you know is interested in being part of our volunteer program, please visit critusa.org for more information.

My name is Borja Voces, and I am a news anchor for Univision.

In 2016, TeletonUSA came into my life and changed it forever. From that moment, it became the closest cause to my heart.

Here I found an oasis of love, affection, and support for families looking for a place to feel accepted, a place for thousands of families seeking a better life.

The mission of TeletonUSA resonates with me as it confirms that there is no greater power than the power of solidarity, something that I have proved over and over again throughout my life. As it has been in the most challenging moments that the solidarity of my friends and family lifted me; in the moments of greatest anxiety, my mother’s hug got me through it, and in the happiest moments, I have found my friends to share them with.

With solidarity, we have made TeletonUSA possible. We have built a home for the families of the thousands of children with disabilities who have received rehabilitation services. Solidarity has helped us overcome obstacles and will allow us to continue fighting for the rights of children with disabilities to provide them with a better future. 

They are the reason behind TeletonUSA. For them, I invite you to become a TeletonUSA Dream Maker. With a monthly donation, you will contribute to their rehabilitation. Together we will help these children achieve their dreams. We are counting on you!

In addition to being an excellent resource for our learning, books are important allies in our exploration of the world since they allow us to imagine it in different ways. If we expose ourselves to books early on, we will acquire memories, experiences, and knowledge that will last forever.

Benefits of reading

Reading is a wonderful process that combines words, images, and concepts to create an experience. Reading is an activity that strengthens the development of cognitive areas of the brain and emotional well-being. Some of its main benefits are:

• Promotes language skills
• Exercises memory
• Expands vocabulary and ideas
• Strengthens concentration
• Helps in improving spelling

Promoting a habit of reading books during childhood can give us many opportunities to learn and share.

How to encourage reading in children

1. Talk to them about how reading can be a fun activity. It may even be a hobby that allows them to get out of the school routine.
2. Dedicate a part of the day to reading at home so that it becomes a family habit. It does not matter if it is done individually or in a group. You can start with one page daily and then increase the number of pages.
3. Let your children choose their readings. Explain to them the topics available to read so that they can identify their preferences.

Books as inclusion tools

Many of us love books because they can also be important allies on issues of inclusion and accessibility. For example:

• They showcase different perspectives on the world’s diversity and human beings.
• They make it possible for us to socialize daily in our environment.
• They are available on different devices or formats that support the needs of each person. For example, there are books in Braille, physical or electronic books.