SMILE 4 Special Needs (#256): SMILE Curriculum Development – December 20, 2025

On the evening of December 20, volunteers involved in the SMILE Pearland project gathered to provide feedback to the project sponsor, Light and Salt Association. The group reviewed program successes as well as areas for improvement, and offered suggestions for new activities to be incorporated into the curriculum. The goal of this session was to strengthen youth-led activities for the special needs community by supporting the development of participants’ gross motor, fine motor, communication, cognitive, and life skills, while also providing a meaningful platform for youth volunteers to work alongside individuals with special needs.

Volunteers (2 hrs): Mark Junxin Zhang, Meredith Zhang, Jiarui Cui, Emma A Lu, Katherine Wu, Zoey Dou, Erica Gao, Grace Wu

Parents on duty (2 hrs): Xiaoying Han (Jiarui), Jennifer Hu (Katherine), Jie Zhang (Junxi), Carol Li (Aila Jiang), Kun Liu (Grace Wu)