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Our Beginnings

In 2015, Susan Van Etten-Kinder and Linda Valentine realized a need in the community for adults with disabilities. They understood, through personal experience, that once children reached the age of 17, they have "outgrown" or aged out of secondary education. Susan and Linda felt a growing passion for providing a safe place for those with disabilities to come together and take the next steps to self-reliance and independence.

By providing social outlets that promote creative expression and problem solving, the young men and women in the program will not only enhance their independence but will bolster their confidence in their endeavors of entrepreneurship; while fostering an atmosphere where all skills are valued and viewed as stepping-stones by encouraging each individual not to fear failure.

Meet the Team

Susan Van Etten-Kinder

Has identified an existing need that has gone unaddressed and worked diligently to develop a positive approach that will create an environment that promotes social interaction, community participation, as well as personal growth. Ms. Van Etten-Kinder has a long history of service to children; also, she is the parent of a child who STRUGGLED and is now a successful adult. She has eight years of experience working in the special education department. Susan has worked with all levels of disabilities. She has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. For four years before entering the educational field, Ms. Van Etten-Kinder was program director for a local Boys and Girls Club, and she wore many hats. She developed plans for children ages 4-17. Ms. Van Etten- Kinder was also tasked with analyzing data and preparing grants that would benefit the center. She was not only an asset to the club but successfully dealt with parents and community leaders. Prior to her life in Copperas Cove, she was involved with the Army Family Readiness Program (FMP) on the base where her husband served. As Secretary and Treasurer, she also assisted in many fundraisers and disseminated information to the families of men and women overseas. A wide variety of services and employment have given Ms. Van Etten-Kinder a well-rounded view of the specials needs community, but most of all, she has been “in the trenches” as a parent of a child with disabilities and comes to this business with knowledge and compassion.

Linda Valentine

Has worked in many areas of need throughout her adult life, from creating the first co-op pre-kindergarten on a Naval Base while stationed in Hawaii, to volunteering at a special needs classroom in Philadelphia, creating and heading Military families for quality education, which aided parents who found themselves transferring into a public school system with no identified process to assist in the placement of their student. Mrs. Valentine worked as the liaison for, Navel base commander in Philadelphia, where she addressed the concerns of the civilians as well as military parents. The organization provided the template used for service-wide implementation of a system that connected newly arriving personnel with the proper educational agency to address their needs. Mrs. Valentine has been a para-professional working with special needs students for the past seven years and has had a first-hand view of a system that lacks the tools it needs to address the lifetime situation many special needs individuals, and their families find themselves in.