Fall 2024 Inclusive

Stories of how you helped students with disabilities belong and thrive in their Christ-centered schools!

Thank you for making a difference for students with your support!

Empowering Educators to Welcome Students with Disabilities

Belong Brings Head and Heart Conference to the West Coast.

This summer, 60 educators from four West Coast member schools gathered in Cascade, Washington, for the Head and Heart Conference, a two-day workshop rooted in All Belong’s See-Think-Do process. This framework helps educators connect students’ strengths and challenges to their unique neurodevelopmental and social-emotional learning profiles.

Thanks to your support, more teachers are gaining the skills to welcome students of

all abilities in their Christcentered classrooms. Because of you, more students are discovering their God-given value and purpose. Because of you, more schools are opening their doors to students with disabilities, and classrooms are becoming a more complete reflection of the body of Christ.

One participant shared, “I really enjoyed the training. It humbled and encouraged me. Both days were filled with communitybuilding activities and practical examples for helping children

THANK YOU FOR HELPING STUDENTS FIND

A MESSAGE FROM BRIAN

I am thankful for you!

Every day I hear stories about the students you have helped by your generous giving.

I’m glad that I can share some of those stories with you in this edition of the Inclusive!

You’ll hear about Jer, whose friends know exactly what he needs.

You’ll read about Ady, Elena, and Olivia, three 7th graders who help each other grow academically and spiritually.

You have made these stories possible, and I’m so grateful! Thank you for providing exactly what Christcentered schools need to build belonging for each and every student!

Gratefully,

Brian Dykstra COO | Interim Executive Director

A Lesson in Compassion: How a Teacher Helped Eva Grow

Eva*, a 4th grader at one of our member schools, is a bright student who sometimes struggles with impulsive behavior. While she had been following a detailed behavior plan and making progress, her support team recently faced a challenge when Eva took a bracelet from a friend.

In the past, such behavior might have resulted in suspension, but Eva’s teachers wanted to respond in a way that would help her learn and grow. With guidance from All Belong’s See-Think-Do process, they arranged a restorative meeting. During the meeting, while the teacher talked about trust, Eva and her friend worked together to build a house out of blocks. This hands-on activity helped Eva see the impact of her actions on her friend, and she expressed genuine remorse.

Instead of punishment, the team focused on building empathy and responsibility. By approaching the situation with compassion, Eva learned important lessons about accountability and making thoughtful choices. Thanks to this creative approach, Eva continues to grow, not just academically but also emotionally and spiritually.

Your support makes moments like these possible. Through donor generosity, All Belong equips schools to guide students like Eva with love and patience, empowering them to thrive in their Christ-centered communities.

BELONGING AT CHRIST-CENTERED SCHOOLS

Beau is Thriving Because He

is Understood Personalized Support Makes a Difference!

This spring, a member school reached out to their All Belong teacher consultant for help supporting Beau*, a seventh grader who was struggling with attention and memory challenges. At the time, Beau was failing all his classes, feeling discouraged, and no longer wanted to attend school.

With guidance from their All Belong consultant, the support team implemented the Three-Step Process: “See,” “Think,” and “Do.” In the first step, “See,” the team observed Beau’s behavior objectively, without making assumptions. The second step, “Think,” encouraged the team to reflect on Beau’s cognitive and emotional state to better understand the root causes of

his struggles. Finally, the “Do” step focused on creating a personalized action plan to meet Beau’s specific needs.

With a revised Individual Support Plan tailored to his attention and memory challenges, and thanks to the dedication and collaboration of his support team, Beau is now thriving. Despite his learning differences, he is finding success in school through the compassionate and adaptive approach of those who support him.

Empowering Educators to Welcome Students with Disabilities

with specific challenges.”

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Another said, “I feel more equipped to support my students in overcoming obstacles and recognizing their strengths.”

You are changing lives and sharing Christ through your support of inclusive, Christcentered education. Thank you for making this possible!

Your gift of $40 provides a warm welcome, support, and community for a student at a Christcentered school

Landon is Heartbroken

When Sarah and Mike moved their family of seven to a new state for Sarah’s job, everything seemed to fall into place. They found a beautiful home in a quaint neighborhood, Mike secured a job, they joined a new church, and they enrolled four of their five children in the local Christian school.

But the school wasn’t able to support their middle son, Landon. Landon lives with Autism and is nonverbal, requiring significant support. Unfortunately, the school didn’t feel equipped to meet Landon’s needs. The principal recommended that Sarah and Mike enroll Landon in the

local public school, which has an excellent special education program.

Landon is heartbroken that he can no longer attend school with his siblings, like he did at his previous school, which partnered with All Belong.

This newsletter shares just a few examples of how your financial support is making a difference, but there is still so much work to be done. We’ve enclosed an envelope for you to keep on hand or send in now with your next gift, helping to open doors for a student like Landon.

Our Vision

We envision a world where every student with a disability is known, needed, and experiences belonging in their Christ-centered school.

4340 Burlingame Ave SW Wyoming, MI 49509 (616) 245-8388

AllBelong.org

*To protect the privacy of the students you have helped, photos, names, and other identifying details may have been changed.

HERE’S MY GIFT TO HELP EVEN MORE!

Yes! I’d like to provide welcome, support, and community for a student at a Christcentered school for a whole year! My gift will also support all the good work of All Belong.

Here is my gift of:

‰ $40 to provide a warm welcome, support, and community for 1 student!

‰ $80 to provide a warm welcome, support, and community for 2 students!

‰ $160 to provide a warm welcome, support, and community for 4 students!

‰ $ to help as much as possible!