Article updated on Aug. 22 with a better photo of the group.
Piedmont’s City Council on Monday night recognized the Recreation Department’s Teen Sidekicks, student volunteers who serve as “buddies” for neurodiverse, school-age children so they can actively participate in PRD activities.
Over fifty teens participated in the program this summer. “We offered two different types of programming, adaptive camps which are designed specially for neurodiverse children and inclusion-based camps,” said PRD’s Recreation Supervisor Eva Phalen. In the inclusion camps, a Teen Sidekick was paired with a neurodiverse child, who could then attend any PRD camp. “In a nutshell,” Phalen said, “Teen Sidekicks ensures that every child has the same access to recreation and most importantly, that they feel included.”
“None of our programs would be possible without our amazing Teen Sidekicks,” she said. “We are continually impressed by their maturity and dedication to giving back.”
In a 2023 interview with the Exedra, when the program was still relatively new, PRD’s adaptive programs specialist Larisa Martiniak (who was also at Monday’s meeting), noted that the teens who sign up are “incredible’ — many are either neurodiverse themselves or are comfortable working with neurodiverse kids because of experience with a friend or family member.
There are several different types of Sidekicks programs, according to the city website. During the school year, there are after-school classes as well as one-day workshops that typically occur on the weekends. The Sidekicks Summer Program offers adaptive camps throughout the summer as well as three weeks of 1-on-1 Matching.
The primary role of a Teen Sidekick is to assist a class/camp instructor. Adaptive program activities are designed to be more accessible for children with neurodiverse needs. Teen Sidekicks help participants navigate the class/camp environment that may be overwhelming, frustrating, and sometimes brand new to them.
Natalie Ghielmetti, one of the teen volunteers, said the program is a place where everyone feels included. “This quickly became something I looked forward to each week,” she said. “I liked it so much I told my friends about it.”
“When you have a neurodiverse child, [camp] is much more complicated,” parent Sarah Karlinsky told councilmembers. “Summers were not something I looked forward to.” Karlinsky said her son, who is on the autism spectrum, was able to be an active participant in PRD camps, including cooking, skateboarding, carpentry, and more because of the Sidekicks program.
After issuing the proclamation marking Monday as “Teen SideKick Day”, Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen thanked Phalen and PRD for their work, noting that the program is being replicated by other cities.
Learn more about the Sidekick program HERE.