Resources We Bring Light To
This is an area we want to dedicate to organizations and resources we find to be of high quality and useful within the context of what we do.
Please be aware this section contains links to websites outside of our organizations that we do not have control of. Always visit website links with care.
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Mindspring Mental Health Alliance is an organization dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and communities by providing hope and education about brain disorders. It is a local organization in Des Moines, Iowa, with a passion for providing mental health education, support, and advocacy.
Visit Mindspring to see how they might be of help to you! Visit MindspringHealth.org
James and Larry Thacker Jr. have been frequent trampoline jumpers since 2022 at Get Air Trampoline Park and say it’s AN AMAZING spot for special needs jumpers and their families. It’s a place where kids can just have fun and be themselves.
Mike Johnson, the resource advocate and manager at Get Air Trampoline Park in Urbandale, Iowa, is an awesome guy to know. He really gets why sensory spaces matter and understands the needs of everyone who uses them. If you have questions about accommodations to make your visit better, definitely chat with Mike.
This said, these special events happen on the first Saturday of every month from 8 AM to 10 AM. For more info, you can check out their website by clicking the bolded title at the top of this resource box.
Evelyn K. Davis Community Center
The awareness, care, and compassion I have seen and felt within the Community Center perfectly embody Mrs. Davis's spirit today. As a child, I may not have understood this, yet I felt this deeply when I first entered Mrs. Davis Day Care Center, Tiny Tots. And my mom recognized it when she dropped me off at daycare. It was undeniably a safe space for me because it left a memory that I recall today. Working memories matter.
Today, when I visit Evelyn K Davis Community Center for the resources and mentoring that I receive for myself or for A-NOD, I pay close attention to how other individuals are welcomed at the door. This initial contact is crucial. I refer to it as an "A-NOD Space." As such, when I first sought assistance there, it felt right—like a nod from Mrs. Davis, affirming, "You are on the right track." As such, for A-NOD, the outcomes of the lessons I learn there or choose to utilize are vital, and this experience clearly reflects for me the effectiveness of the programs.
Lastly, I've reflected on an important thought last night: recognizing a gap is one thing, but advocating with one's voice for change is essential. The way Evelyn K. Davis Community Center aids/supports A-NOD's mission and vision to empower those they serve helps me to continue to confidently walk in my a-ha moment- a true testament to Mrs. Davis's legacy.
As such, her spirit continues to shine through in her Namesake's Center within a safe and supportive atmosphere that empowers each of us to overcome our challenges and barriers to not only our safety and happiness, but also to all those we choose to serve when we leave your door. This is community in action-a light that shines so that others can.