HELP US BUILD BIRDIE’S
NEST IN SPOKANE
YOUR GIFT OPENS DOORS
FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES
YOUR IMPACT IN 2025
ACCESSIBLE, ACCOMMODATING, AND INCLUSIVE CARROUSEL
On May 18, 2025, families came together for a free, inclusive afternoon at the historic Looff Carrousel. Volunteers, therapists, and staff offered practical supports so children with disabilities and medical complexities could enjoy a quintessential childhood experience. This community tradition shows how inclusion can look and feel in Spokane, and the lessons learned flow directly into Birdie’s Nest.
“This event was incredible. We were so grateful for the multiple volunteers who helped keep our son safe and made it possible for him to enjoy several carousel rides without needing to transfer each time. It truly saved our backs. Every volunteer went above and beyond to make sure our son had a joyful and unforgettable experience.”
WHY THIS MATTERS TO FAMILIES
RIDES TAKEN
1132
UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATED
662
VOLUNTEERS WHO MADE THE DAY INCLUSIVE, SAFE, AND JOYFUL
52
On November 14, 2025, we will be a key contributor and fiscal sponsor of the Family Support Conference. This free conference for parent caregivers brings families, providers, and partners together to learn, advocate, and connect. Sessions cover navigating services, regulation strategies, grief and resilience, and access to developmental disability supports. By strengthening connections and elevating family voice, the conference helps build the inclusive community Birdie’s Nest will call home.
FAMILY SUPPORT CONFERENCE
35
150
ANTICIPATED VENDOR AND RESOURCE TABLES
ANTICIPATED ATTENDEES
WATCH CARSON’S STORY
FOUNDATIONS FOR BELONGING:
INCLUSIVE CARE LEARNING COLLABORATIVE
Backed by the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Child Care Partnership Grant, this expert-designed training equips Spokane educators, not only Birdie’s Nest staff, to support children with complex needs through modules on sensory-responsive classrooms, communication supports, health protocols, and family partnership, with a pilot launching in 2026.
BIRDIE’S NEST PROGRESS
Birdie’s Nest is a full-day, therapeutic, inclusive early learning center for children ages 3 to 6. This year we moved from vision to visible progress:
Advanced site planning with ZBA Architects and Integrus Architecture
Secured Knox Presbyterian Church as our site host
Joined an intergenerational housing project uniting older adults, teen parents with their children, and Birdie’s Nest
Submitted a Washington State Department of Commerce Early Learning Facilities grant request for construction funding
Each step brings us closer to opening a place built for belonging and modeling inclusion across our region and beyond
* Conceptual rendering and inspiration photo for planning purposes.
WHAT COMES NEXT
Families are still waiting. In 2026 we will:
May 17: host our third annual Inclusive Carrousel
Launch the pilot cohort of the Inclusive Care Learning Collaborative
Finalize construction plans to open Birdie’s Nest in 2027
Your year-end gift turns drawings into doors, equips classrooms with the tools and training children need to learn, play, and belong, and helps us take the next step toward inclusion for every family.
WHAT YOUR GIFT CAN DO RIGHT NOW
Sensory tools for one classroom
$35
Two adapted seating options for comfort and focus
$60
Staff training on regulation and de-escalation
$150
Therapy-informed materials that help children participate
$500
An inclusive community experience hour for families
$3,000
We also gratefully accept non-cash gifts, including stock, donor-advised fund contributions, and qualified charitable distributions from IRAs. Each gift, no matter the form, helps bring Birdie’s Nest to life and strengthens an inclusive Spokane.