champions place news
july 2024
“Champions THREW Us a Life Preserver in a Vast Sea of New Challenges”
From left to right: Michelle Lickman, Sophia Lickman, Sweet Pea, Emily Lickman, Phil Lickman
MEET THE LICKMAN FAMILY
It's a difficult decision to move your family, especially if you have a physically challenged daughter. The Lickman's had to make this difficult decision and were worried about the impact on Emily if they relocated from Michigan to Georgia. Unbeknownst to them, Champions Community Foundation (CCF) would be there to instantly provide Emily with a community of friends and an abundance of resources.
Emily and her new friend Sophia at a Titan scrimmage!
“It was like an instant connection! Champions Community Foundation was such a blessing when we arrived in our new home in Roswell, Georgia. We were nervous about finding a new group of families that had similar needs as we did. Over the past 18 years, I have placed her in many, many programs - this is THE FIRST group that has made her feel accepted, respected and happy. She cannot wait for the next Titan event each Saturday”
Emily has also become an important part of our virtual community - Champions Community Connect. In addition to 30 in-person events each year, CCF also offers virtual events 6 nights a week! When asked about her favorite events, Emily shared:
“I LOVE playing online Trivia on Thursday nights and meeting with just my new lady Titan friends during Ladies’ Night on Sundays!”
Emily enjoying Ladies’ Night with some friends she met through C3!
Along with being welcomed into the community, Michelle signed Emily up for Champions Place@Home, which is a CCF initiative that installs smart assistive devices in homes at no charge. During the installation, Emily was smiling from ear to ear, overflowing with gratitude for her newfound independence, knowing she would enjoy a new level of self-reliance.
“Through Champions Place@Home, CCF has installed Google assistive technology at our home to allow Emily to be more independent than ever before. Emily now has the ability to control her lights, fan, and heater, and even make phone calls....all via voice control. It’s been liberating for her and us! We rest so much easier knowing if Emily needs help, she only needs to say, ‘Hey Google, call Mom!’”
Emily learning how to use her new Google Hub from CP@Home!
Even with Emily now connected to new friends via a variety of in-person and virtual events, and also more independent due to Champions Place@Home, CCF had more to offer the Lickman's - a network of contacts who could support their 18 year old special needs daughter in other ways. With her Mom and Dad not knowing where to start, CCF connected them to Anna Maki with the Bobby Dodd Institute to help them navigate through the government benefits available to Emily in Georgia. CCF then recommended several special needs trust attorneys in the local area. And finally, Emily and her parents were invited to church to celebrate with other Titans at Mount Pisgah Church (a partner and supporter of Champions Community Foundation).
“Finding this community was literally a giant life preserver thrown to us in a vast sea of new challenges we were not knowledgeable about.”
Because of your generosity, and your stake and belief in the work being done, we are able to rewrite the narrative for families with a physically challenged child who are relocating to Atlanta or simply aging out of high school programs. In the Lickman’s case, we were able to welcome them to Georgia with open arms, offer them a plethora of resources, and provide them with a thriving community. With your continued support, we will continue to rewrite stories and improve the lives of our Titan families for years to come!