Beauty Queens and Artists Creating Compassion for Special Needs (December 8, 2015)
Boca Raton, FL – December 8, 2015 – Miss Florida Teen USA delegates and “world-renowned” speed artist Michael Israel converge to create compassion for individuals with special needs through an appearance at Unicorn Children’s Foundation, 21100 Ruth & Baron Coleman Blvd., Suite 250, Boca Raton on Friday, December 11, 2015 from 11am – 1pm. Miss Florida Teen USA Gracie Smith and the newly crowned Miss Boca Raton Teen USA Olivia Occhigrossi will speak with students at Unicorn Village Academy about celebrating their differences, interests and abilities to help encourage development of empathy and increased compassion towards children and adolescents with special needs. Ms. Smith and Ms. Occhigrossi will help students prepare Creating Compassionate Children TM toolkits that will be distributed to 500 preschool and elementary school classrooms to break down myths and fears before they develop into stereotypes and stigmas which ultimately result in isolation and bullying. These kits provide a character education curriculum to help teachers and students understand that some of their peers may think, communicate, and learn differently. Following, Michael Israel, who has shared limelight with celebrities, CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies, and world leaders alike, will share his talent with these same special needs students as they create a unique one-of-a-kind piece of art. Passion for his work, and compassion for a cause fuse together for an energy that begs enlightenment and understanding on a new plateau that ventures beyond the traditional and accepted styles and “norms” of art. This event is the first in a series of events leading up to a coordinated Read for Acceptance day to be scheduled for April 1, 2016.
### Unicorn Children's Foundation is a non-profit organization providing education, awareness and funding opportunities to organizations for special needs children in an effort to help these exceptional individuals excel in the community. For millions of special needs children with developmental, communication and learning challenges, finding a cure is like chasing a rainbow in that a cure remains elusive. The Unicorn Children’s Foundation is expanding the collective special needs community to help acknowledge, celebrate and integrate the special qualities possessed by neurodiverse children with Autism, ADHD, Bipolar, Asperger’s, Dyslexia and other learning disorders.