Years before Turtle Wing was organized, founder DeeAnn Hooper was wishing there was a way to connect with other parents of children with learning challenges. Like many other parents of special needs children, she felt as if their family functioned in a silo and was disconnected from other families facing the same struggles. When creating the foundation in memory of her son, Jack, who was at the heart of her special education journey, Mrs. Hooper made Community Education and Advocacy one of the pillars of the good works to come. Community Education involves programming such as the Parent Support Network, continuing education for educators and daycares, and character education programming for the youth. Any parent or guardian of a child who has learning challenges is encouraged to be a part of the Parent Support Network. The simplest part of the network is communication via e-mail and Facebook of resources, information, training and social connections. Quarterly there are family gatherings which have historically involved events such as a back-to-school pool party, gatherings just for moms and dads, as well as a romantic couples event for Valentine’s Day. The next family gathering will be on Friday, December 3 beginning at 7 PM. Ruby McGuill Ministries will be presenting “A Gift of the Finest Straw,” a special program which shares the true meaning of Christmas through music and poetic storytelling. There will be refreshments and a craft for the kids. This event will be held at the On Pointe Events Room (1201 S. Kessler Avenue, Schulenburg) and all families are welcome. Though officed in Schulenburg, participants have been from Colorado, Fayette, Lavaca, and surrounding counties with academic, social-emotional, behavioral and/or developmental needs. Families may contact director of programs, Susie Shank, at (979)505-5090 for more information. Additionally, basic paperwork to enroll in the Parent Support Network may be found on the website https://www.turtlewingfoundation.org/family-forms. Last school year, Turtle Wing helped to provide direct services to 309 children, with thousands more being impacted by their outreach programming. To learn more about Turtle Wing Foundation visit the website or follow them on Facebook at @turtlewingfoundation.
