Albany’s Byne Church set to host ‘Night to Shine’ event for individuals with disabilities

ALBANY – The halls of Byne Baptist Church and Christian School will transform Friday night into an inclusive, accessible space to give people with disabilities a “Night to Shine.”

This is the church’s second year hosting the Night to Shine event, which is a worldwide movement sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. On Friday, churches across the globe will provide the prom experience for people ages 14 and older with disabilities.

Last year’s event included 183 guests and 600 volunteers, Mark Jackson, Byne Church’s senior pastor, said.

“You have to earn a lot of trust to be able to say ‘you have needs and we can accommodate those,’” he said. “We didn’t know how quickly the community would feel comfortable.”

The event gained traction and will see about a 50% growth from last year with 300 registered guests and about 950 volunteers from around the community this year.

On top of volunteers, a number of local businesses, churches and organizations partner with Byne Church to sponsor the event. Longhorn Steakhouse and Olive Garden stepped up to provide food for guests, and BJ’s Country Buffet is catering for parents and caretakers.

Jackson said the majority of this support is voluntary.

“We (Byne) get to host, but the community really rallies to make it possible,” he said.

Byne’s “Night to Shine” was meticulously planned to meet the unique needs of each guest. Jackson and the team behind the event developed unique ways to create a more inclusive sensory experience.

Upon arrival, pre-registered guests will arrive and check in at the entrance. The registration process involved getting details of dietary, mobility, communication and other special needs. After signing in, they will be led to the worship hall to be matched with a “buddy” from about 350 volunteers who underwent training to help guide them through the night.

In one room off the entrance, large vanity tables with bright makeup lights fill a room where guests can be treated to a hair and makeup styling session before entering the prom. In another room, rows of chairs are lined up, set for shoe shining.

Once the guests are dolled up, there are 18 limos lined up to give guests a ride around the property. At the end of the ride, they are greeted by red carpet and 250 or so volunteers lined up to cheer them on. Jackson said there are also quiet greeting options for guests with sensory needs.

The team at Byne developed a new sensory space with game, tactile, dining and visual rooms where guests can relax or participate in sensory activities.

“We realized there were so many people with sensory needs,” Jackson said. “Our aim is to create a place where if guests feel uncomfortable in any other space, they can come here.”

Members from organizations like The Arc of Southwest Georgia, a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of individuals with disabilities and their caregivers, as well as Wetherald Behavioral, which offers therapy for children with autism and related disabilities, walked through the sensory space to give feedback.

At the event’s closing, volunteers will crown their guest buddy. Jackson said the excitement in this moment is surreal, noting that the mission of “Night to Shine” is to “make our guests feel the way God feels about them.” It’s meant to shine a light on a population that’s often overlooked.

“They have unique abilities that other people don’t have,” he said. “We want people to see that.”

Jackson said the event is especially significant for the rural areas of southwest Georgia. While cities often have a slew of opportunities, there are fewer accessible events for people with disabilities to participate in, he said.

However, the night does much more. Jackson said the event ripples through other parts of the community and brings awareness to Albany’s population with disabilities – their needs as well as the organizations that support them.

Elizabeth Blount, the Arc of Southwest Georgia’s executive assistant, said events like a “Night to Shine” are really important for the Albany area, which poses unique challenges for people with disabilities.

She said many of the guests never got to attend things like prom or get dressed up with their hair and makeup done or shoes shined. It’s a cool opportunity for them and for members of The Arc staff who work with them.

The Arc serves 15 counties across southwest Georgia. Blount said the majority of these communities are rural.

“A lot of people don’t know that there are over 8,000 people in Albany alone that live with a disability, and that’s a big percentage of our population,” she said.

Blount said many people with disabilities find it difficult to live in this community due to inaccessibility. A lack of sidewalks and transportation methods make it a challenge for people to complete even basic tasks.

“If you’re somebody who can’t drive … or you’re in a wheelchair … your only option sometimes is to drive your wheelchair on the road,” she said.

Many people with disabilities can’t drive themselves and rely on public transportation. However, public transportation doesn’t exist in all rural communities and where it does exist, it isn’t always accessible, Blount said. Some stops even lack benches, awnings or sidewalks.

She said there is a lack of education in the community about what it’s like to live with a disability.

“Not only do events like this really provide a safe and accessible space for folks with disabilities to just have fun and be celebrated, but it really gives folks in the community a chance … to engage with the disability community,” she said.

Joyce Jones, a 76-year-old member of Byne Church, spent this week volunteering each day to set up for the event. She said she and her husband have been members of the church for 46 years and make it a point to volunteer regularly.

They spent the week cleaning floors, hanging decorations and helping set up whatever they can.

She is a retired teacher to students with disabilities and said because of this, she knows how special the night is. In the previous year, she reunited and danced with former students.

Jones said people with disabilities are often not treated or made to feel special.

“When we put the crown on those individuals, they are so excited,” she said. “There’s a lot of things they can do. They may not do it perfectly, but there’s a lot of us who aren’t perfect.”

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the free event, and the night will shine until about 8:30 p.m.

Blount said “Night to Shine” is just the beginning – a way to get the conversation going to see what else the Albany area could be doing to support people with disabilities.

Staff Photo: Lucille lanniganStaff Photo: Lucille Lannigan

Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan