06/05/2020
Wings to Fly Therapy & Play Center - IMPORTANT NEWS!
Dear Friends of Wings to Fly Therapy & Play Center
and the Northern VA RPM Center,
I have some exciting news to share. As some of you may know, WINGS TO THRIVE, was approved as a 501(c)3 charitable organization in 2019! Over the past six years as Owner of Wings to Fly Therapy and Play Center, I envisioned a non-profit as my ultimate mission to provide more practical, affordable and sustainable services for other autism families. I am grateful for the humbling and rewarding experience I gained to help me continue to do better.
The MISSION of WINGS TO THRIVE is to continue to pursue the simple strategy of supporting families with the day to day needs in navigating a full life for their unique child through educational, social and life-skill offerings. As s a 501(c)3, we will look to the support of fundraising and state/federal grants. As one autism mom said beautifully, “I just want a community where my child can say, “I have these people to go through my life’s journey WITH ME.”
It is bittersweet to also announce that I have officially closed our Wings to Fly Therapy & Play Center - Chantilly location. While I wished we could have had one last celebration, I will always have beautiful memories of the children’s (and adult’s) smiles on the swings, families chatting with each other, and our educational workshops. One silver lining to the timing of the COVID shut-down was that our lease was up for renewal in May.
Onward to the future!
As I transition Wings to Fly services to Wings to Thrive, I am excited to share that NEW LOCATIONS are being explored in multiple areas in N. VA and elsewhere. The targeted START DATE for beginning of offerings is FALL 2020 pending any variances that may arise. Some locations may offer “Pop-up Services” while other locations may serve as “Permanent Centers” with partnerships with local organizations such as recreation centers, Lion’s Club, and other large facilities to provide a “COVID- safe” environment. As many parents face the challenging decision of having to HOME SCHOOL, I am working to see how we can provide resources.
As Director, I will continue to offer educational support and consulting for families, and other services (RPM) throughout the summer as well as planning and fundraising.
I want to take this opportunity to express my thanks to Kate Hurst, who has been my wonderful Speech and Language Pathologist over the past five years. Kate will CONTINUE to offer her services as an Independent Contractor for Speech and Language Therapy as well as RPM services as an RPM Level 1 Certified Provider. I look forward to collaborating with Kate with Wings to Thrive in the near future.
I am seeking CORE parent volunteers to play an integral role in this vision. If you wish to be considered, please contact me. My existing email, [email protected], will remain active for any comments and questions. I welcome your input on potential locations as well as fundraising opportunities.
Please keep updated on announcements to be posted on our website, www.wingstothrive.com.
Thank you for your support over the years at Wings to Fly and I hope to see you at a future WINGS TO THRIVE event!
Be well, all my best!
Donna A. Shank, MA
Owner/Director, Wings to Fly Therapy and Play Center
Director, Wings to Thrive, Inc., A 501(c)3 charitable organization
Please consider making a DONATION on our FACEBOOK page or on our website. Thank you!
WINGS TO THRIVE, INC, P.O. Box 230172,
Centreville, VA 20120
www.wingstothrive.com
A 501(c)3 charitable organization
Tax ID: 83-4174128
