Wayfinders!
At the time Waypoint expanded to welcome colleagues, the most common response was “You’re going to need to grow a thicker skin,” or something of the like.
It is true; the business world was new to me having spent my entire career with children in the school setting. At times these comments conjured up doubt and fear. Was I hard enough for the business world?
An entrepreneur friend shared about the circus that plays in her mind, too, while she lies in bed at night. Stories were shared about growing pains while practices are in a state of flux. Also true. For Waypoint, there were countless pages to read: the latest research on dyslexia, accounting, taxes, insurance, leadership, and how to balance all of these in tandem. In the last few years, there has been more learning than my entire lifetime combined! While I am certain there is much yet to learn, the hardening is something I have intentionally worked to avoid. Instead, we have leaned into the soft spots, really listened to people, and gotten creative. The soft spots, the feeling parts, are really what make us human. I began to wonder if there was a way to come together to turn the soft parts into something stronger?
The softest spot in this work has been the inequity that has been brought to light in the work we do. Sure, it has always been there in the shadows but it was illuminated in a big way these last few years.
Specifically, many families who are seeking quality support for their children do not have the resources. After an initial inquiry, we typically send a standard reply regarding cost of services. The intention is transparency before we go down a path together. But what about the many families who find themselves unable to pay after starting services? The dad who sits in his car during his lunch break to learn what options he has or the mom who is desperate for us to teach her so she can just teach her son at home. Every parent is desperate to do the right thing for their child.
We refuse to accept that hardening is the answer, that turning a child away who needs help makes any sense. No child should be at a disadvantage because they are neurodiverse.
Over the last year, we have been working tirelessly to form a nonprofit.
Our greatest wish is that if you have a little extra, would you please consider supporting a child in need of these life-changing services? All children should have access to quality therapy. Together as a community we can become stronger. We need each other and our children need us.
While we are starting small, we have some big dreams for 2024 with regard to this initiative. If you would like to change the world by supporting a child in need, we welcome you to donate. All donations are tax deductible.
Click this link to learn more about Wayfinders! Welcome to the team of softies, we hope you invite your friends, even the hard ones. Because guess what? Even the hardest ones start to feel a little softer themselves when they give to something bigger. And that’s what this is all about.
