On Oct. 17, 2025, WHALE (We Help And Love Everyone) Respite Center and OASIS Pediatric Therapy are coming together to host a sensory-friendly trunk-or-treat—not just to celebrate Halloween, but to raise awareness about the need for environments where every child can feel comfortable, included and celebrated. The free experience will feature festive, themed trunks, costumes and an atmosphere tailored to be inclusive, calm and welcoming, especially for children with sensory processing disorders or other special needs.
For families raising children with sensory sensitivities or developmental differences, safe and supportive spaces can be hard to find. WHALE Respite Center, a nonprofit created by OASIS Pediatric Therapy, was founded to help change that reality. Kristin Ceriani, a physical therapist, and Lacy Hoyer-Helms, a speech-language pathologist, founded OASIS in 2017 after years of witnessing the gaps in child care options for children with developmental delays and disabilities in the community. WHALE provides inclusive child care for children ages 6 weeks to 18 years, with a focus on creating belonging for those who are often left out.
Families raising children with disabilities often face isolation, limited support and environments that don’t fit their needs. Events like this trunk-or-treat are reshaping that reality in Colorado.
“At WHALE, our mission is bigger than one night,” Ceriani says. “This event is fun, but it also symbolizes something deeper. It’s a glimpse into what’s possible when we design spaces that truly welcome every child and reimagine what inclusion looks like in our community.”
Event details
- What: Sensory-friendly trunk-or-treat
- When: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2025
- Where: 5699 W. 20th St., Suite 400 in Greeley
- Hosted by: OASIS Pediatric Therapy and WHALE Respite Center
- Cost: Free and open to everyone, with a special invitation to families with children who have sensory or developmental needs
