Night Lights (NL), a local nonprofit, provides respite care for children who have special needs and their neuro-typical siblings. This year, NL celebrates 15 years with six location sites: Parker, Littleton, Colorado Springs, Arvada, Broomfield and Grand Junction. The organization aims to open a Castle Pines or Castle Rock site by January 2027. “I would love to have a site here and serve the very community where I live,” she said.

The executive director of NL, Heather Haubenschild, lives in the Macanta neighborhood. Her generous nature and passion for children is evident. She holds a bachelors degree in child development, a child life specialist certification and a masters degree in clinical mental health.

Each site has a director, family coordinator, volunteer coordinator, outreach coordinator and registered nurse. All staff members and volunteers are federally background checked. In 2025, NL supported 106 families, served 148 children with special needs along with their 65 neuro-typical siblings and engaged 220 volunteers, who served a total of 4,735 hours.

On the second Friday of the month, families are gifted three-and-a-half-hours of respite. It is completely free of charge with one-to-one care for babies, toddlers and children ages one month to 13 years old, with a maximum of about 30 kids, space permitting. Activities include crafts, music, balloon animals, therapy dogs, movies, gross motor skills and more.

“Everything is child led; the kids choose what they want to do,” shared Heather. This includes siblings who can stay by their special needs brother or sisters’ side or chose their own activity, which is important to prevent secondary caregiver syndrome.

Teenage volunteers, called Bright Lights are an added gift. “I’ve always been a big fan of teaching kids about civic engagement—letting them know they have something to contribute, they are valuable, and that the community needs them,” said Heather. Often, she continued, these teens walk into situations that might intimidate an adult so it is a win-win.

From giving families time to attend grief counseling, sleep for a few hours, go out to dinner or do whatever they need to do, families are grateful. “The stories that families have been so bold as to share with us, that’s why I do this—and will do so as long as I’m allowed to—because it’s beautiful,” Heather explained.

One parent shared that NL provided the first opportunity to truly rest in weeks, while knowing their children were safe, accepted and cared for. “It felt like a weight was lifted.”

No matter how many sites Heather opens, she said families will come. She hopes a local school, church, gymnasium or other kid-friendly space in the area will open its doors one Friday night each month. Once she finds space, she will build a site team.

Volunteers, financial donations and in-kind contributions of craft supplies, toys and meals to feed volunteers are always appreciated. Grants and donations make it all happen as there is no federal funding.

Operating with integrity and transparency is at the core of NL. “Knowing that families invite me into their space and trust me with their kids, that’s a level of honor that I never take for granted,” concluded Heather.

A 15-year celebration event is planned on Friday, July 10 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., where it all started: Waterstone Community Church in Littleton. All are welcome to attend. For more information, visit nightlightskids.org.

 

 

By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Heather Haubenschild