In clusive
Stories of how you helped students with disabilities belong and thrive in their Christ-centered schools!
Empowering Educators
All Belong’s Head and Heart Conference in Grand Rapids
INSIDE
Plymouth Christian Said “Yes” to McKenzie
Page 2
Sylvia Knows She is Part of the Body of Christ
Page 3
You Are Making a Difference!
Page 4
Thanks to the generosity of donors and support from The Linda Weemhoff Memorial Fund, nearly 60 educators braved a winter storm to attend the Head and Heart conference in Grand Rapids. Participants traveled from seven states and the Dominican Republic to learn how to connect with their students on a deeper level.
The energy in the room was electric, filled with moments of reflection and joy as these passionate educators shared their experiences. On the final day, small groups reflected on their learnings:
“I used to think I couldn’t do this. Now I know that our team
Thankyou formakinga difference for students with your support!
can, and God has equipped me through my team and All Belong to lead this effort. We are not alone.”
“This is a complicated and ever-changing process, but it’s not impossible. The way God created us is AMAZING.”
“I appreciate the emphasis on the heart and looking at the whole child. I love the biblical perspective of each student being uniquely and wonderfully made!”
Because of YOUR support, these educators are equipped to create belonging for all students. Thank you for empowering this lifechanging mission!
Recipients of the Linda Weemhoff Memorial Travel Grant at the Head and Heart Conference in December.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING STUDENTS FIND
A MESSAGE FROM BECKY
As we start 2025, I want to thank you for your support. I am honored to share these stories with you to show how each gift makes a difference.
In this issue you’ll read about our annual Head and Heart conference and what educators had to say about what they learned. You’ll also hear how Sylvia and McKenzie are beginning to understand how they fit into the body of Christ. It’s because of you that these girls and many other students are thriving in their Christ-centered schools. On behalf of the All Belong staff, the educators, and students, thank you for your commitment to inclusive, Christ-centered education.
Blessings,
Becky Tubergen CEO | Director of School Services
Plymouth Christian said “Yes” to McKenzie
McKenzie lives with Dravet syndrome, which causes frequent seizures, learning difficulties, and communication struggles. Her parents wanted to send her to Plymouth Christian School with the rest of their children, but due to her support needs, it was not an option—until three years ago.
Thanks to your support of inclusive, Christ-centered education, when McKenzie’s family reached out to Plymouth about enrolling her, the school stepped out in faith and welcomed her into the Plymouth Christian family. The staff knew that All Belong would walk alongside them as they learned how to support McKenzie.
Her classmates, who attended church with McKenzie but had never interacted with her before, “met” her at school. At first some kids were nervous around McKenzie, but her teachers and classmates have worked hard to understand and include her.
Recently, the class learned about Native American history, and McKenzie was delighted to make and serve succotash as part of the lesson. Her laugh and excitement were contagious!
McKenzie and her friend Meredy love to play games together, and she often gets everyone laughing with the funny things she says. Meredy’s mom shared that Meredy has grown and come out of her shell because of her friendship with McKenzie.
Because of you, McKenzie brings joy to her class. Because of you, she belongs.
Sylvia Knows She is Part of the Body of Christ
When Sylvia was born, she faced incredible challenges. Born with a brain injury, she needed constant care, and today she lives with ADHD, dyslexia, and difficulties with memory and fine motor skills. Writing letters and numbers, focusing, and understanding abstract ideas don’t come easily to her.
With four other children in Christ-centered schools, Sylvia’s parents deeply value Christian education. But they were concerned about how Sylvia would fit in. Would she be welcomed? Would her differences be understood, especially when they aren’t as visible as other disabilities? Would she be disciplined for things she can’t control, like opening her eyes during prayer?
Yet, when they visited Providence Christian School, something beautiful happened: Sylvia was welcomed with open arms.
As an All Belong member school, Providence took time to learn about Sylvia and her needs. She receives dedicated support from
a volunteer aide, her teachers recognize that allowing her to move around helps her focus, and she answers questions aloud rather than writing them down.
Sylvia is kind-hearted, often reaching out to other students who need help or a friend. Her thoughtfulness and humor bring light to her family and school community. Her mom shares, “Sylvia completes our family.”
Sylvia is a determined young lady and a hard worker. Being at an inclusive, Christcentered school allows her to be successful and understand what it means to be part of the body of Christ.
Thank you for helping more Christ-centered schools open their doors—and their arms—to students with disabilities.
SAVE THE DATE! June 5, 2025 at Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club
More information coming soon!
Build Belonging in Your Own Spaces
You too can help the people around you feel known, needed, and experience belonging — this is not just a vision for students in Christcentered schools.
Celebrate Strengths: Take time to affirm someone’s unique gifts—it’s a simple way to show they are known.
Create Space: Invite quieter voices into the conversation with a gentle question like, “What’s your perspective?” It lets them know they are needed.
Think Access: Intentional adjustments to create a welcoming environment—like choosing an accessible meeting space—help everyone experience belonging.
Every person reflects the image of God and has a role in their community. Let’s take steps to ensure no one feels unseen or excluded!
Your gift of $40 provides a warm welcome, support, and community for a student at a Christ-centered school
You Are Making a Difference!
Every story of belonging begins with the generosity of donors like you. These stories are a testament to hope, inclusion, and the power of community.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every student with a disability is known, needed, and experiences belonging in their Christ-centered school.
There are students—created in the image of God—who struggle to find their place in the body of Christ. They need to know they belong.
There is still work to do. And you can be part of it.
Thank you for being a part of the change.
But for every story we celebrate, there are hundreds more—stories of students who feel unseen, schools unsure of how to meet the needs of students with disabilities, and families struggling to find solutions for their children. Many of these schools and families don’t know how All Belong can help.
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.
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’S MY GIFT TO HELP EVEN MORE!
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!
