Ottawa County Sibshops

Ottawa County Sibshops Sibshops are peer support groups for children who have siblings with special needs. We run monthly groups at Faith Reformed Church in Zeeland.

Contact Andréa Vugteveen for more information. amvugteveen@gmail.com or 616-460-3781.

10/26/2025

Our November Sibshops meets on the 1st from 9:30-11:00am. This group is for children ages 6-13. New sibs welcome.

Contact Andréa Vugteveen @ 616-460-3781 or amvugteveen@gmail.com to RSVP.

Send a message to learn more

09/28/2025

Our October Sibshops meets this Saturday, the 4th, from 9:30-11:00am. This group is for children aged 6-13.

For more information or to RSVP your child, please reach out to Andréa Vugteveen @ 616-460-3781 or amvugteveen@gmail.com.

Send a message to learn more

09/05/2025

Why Sibshops?

Sibshops is helpful to me because I get to learn from other kids who have siblings with special needs. By learning from other kids, I can gain some new skills when facing challenges or conflict with my brother. Sometimes, it's hard for other people to understand what it's like to have a sibling with special needs and Sibshops makes it easy because you're with people who have the same challenges. It is just a great club, and I learn something new each time!

~Cambrin, Sibshops participant

Send a message to learn more

08/30/2025

We are excited to kick off a new Sibshops year on September 6! Our Sibshops group will meet from 9:30-11:00am at Faith Reformed Church in Zeeland.

If you have a 6-13 year old who could benefit from being in a space where they can connect with others who understand the sibling experience, please reach out to Andréaa Vugteveen to RSVP your child. 616-460-3781 or amvugteveen@gmail.com.

Send a message to learn more

08/23/2025

Do you have a child with disabilities, and a typically-developing child, age 3-to-6? Try our new SibTime app and receive $200! SibTime features stories and activities in English and Spanish for typically developing preschool siblings and their caregivers to promote bonding, understanding, and fun! Learn more: https://ori.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8pkgHg05PZy8L0W
See how SibTime supports young siblings! It's available in both English and Spanish!

English: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1097168191936911&rdid=rtQkO0MSm4D4gTTA

Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2649528048712455&rdid=H2sAOxLrmleoezoi

Fall Sibshops!
08/17/2025

Fall Sibshops!

07/12/2025

Our combined GR and Ottawa County July Younger Sibshops meets on Wednesday, the 16th, from 6:45-8:30pm. This Sibshops is for children ages 6-10. We will meet at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville.

Please contact Andréa to RSVP your child. 616-460-3781 or amvugteveen@gmail.com.

Send a message to learn more

Sharing a link to an accessible cottage in Greenville.
05/25/2025

Sharing a link to an accessible cottage in Greenville.

This family-friendly Greenville cottage is located on the waterfront, within 1 mi (2 km) of McCarthy Park and School Section Lake. Hunter Lake is 2.5 mi (4.1 km) away.

04/30/2025

Our May Sibshops meets this Saturday, the 3rd, from 9:00-10:30am. New sibs welcome!

RSVP your child by contacting Andréa at 616-460-3781.

Send a message to learn more

Discover SibTime, a new app to support the 3–6-year-old siblings of children with disabilities or health concerns. Join ...
04/17/2025

Discover SibTime, a new app to support the 3–6-year-old siblings of children with disabilities or health concerns.
Join our 8-week pilot study to try out the sibling support app!
Space is limited
To learn more and confirm eligibility, contact us today.
Email: sibtime@influentsin.com
Call/Text: 541-434-1517
Website: https://influentsin.com/recruitment-sibtime-ii-english/
*SibTime is a research project funded by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, grant # 2 R44 MD015947-02. SibTime is a partnership of Influents Innovations, Oregon Research Institute, and the Sibling Support Project at the Kindering Center, and is directed by Dr. Patricia Vadasy and Jessie Marquez, Influents Innovations.

ver en español A new bilingual sibling support app Does your child with a disability or health concern have a sibling, aged 3-6? You may be eligible to use the SibTime app in an 8-week pilot study. Participating families receive $200. Watch this video about the SibTime study Space is limited! To le...

03/18/2025
02/25/2025

Our March Sibshops meets on Saturday, the 1st, from 9:00-11:00am. New sibs are welcome.

Please contact Andréa at 616-460-3781 or amvugteveen@gmail.com for more information or to RSVP.

Send a message to learn more

Address

10263 Chicago Drive
Zeeland, MI
49464

Telephone

+16164603781

Website

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Sibshops

Sisters and brothers will likely have the longest-lasting relationship with a sibling who has special needs, one that can exceed 65 years. During their lives, they will experience the unique joys and concerns their parents do, yet few will have the chance to talk about their experiences with other siblings who “get it”.

Brothers and sisters of children with special needs now have a group that’s just for them, Sibshops. Sibshops are peer support groups that offer a safe and engaging space for siblings to be heard, understood and supported. Sibshops provide children with the opportunity to meet other sibs, have fun, talk about both the good and the sometimes hard parts of having a sib with special needs, play some great games, learn something about their siblings’ special needs and the services their brothers and sisters receive, and learn new ways to cope with the challenges of having a sibling with special needs.

Sibshops are held at Engage Therapy Center and led by Andréa Vugteveen, a trained Sibshops facilitator, who has been running Sibshops groups in Grand Rapids for the past 7 years.