A Little Piece of Our Heart

When Goldie graduates from The Rise School of Denver this year, we’ll leave a little piece of our heart on East Eastman—and if you’ve ever witnessed the (adult) tears at a Rise School graduation, you know that’s not just a metaphor.

Over the years, I’ve learned to avoid the trap of listing all the incredible outcomes inclusion brings—not just for kids with disabilities, but for kids without them too (though it does lead to those things). I’ve also learned to gently call people in when they say inclusion is “good for teaching empathy” or “helping kids appreciate differences.” While that’s true, it’s not the point.

Here’s the truth: inclusion isn’t a favor, and it isn’t generosity. For Goldie, inclusion has meant growing at her own pace, learning what’s meaningful to her, and developing confidence in exactly who she is. And for every child at Rise, inclusion has meant belonging—not as a bonus, but as a right.

Belonging is a basic human need. That’s why Rise matters.

Without Rise, Goldie might have had a “fine” early care experience. But she wouldn’t have been in a space where every child belongs. And if she’d spent her early years in places where some people belong and others don’t, what would that have taught her about herself—or the world?

Belonging isn’t something one person gets while others go without—it’s mutual. If one of us doesn’t belong, none of us do.

We choose inclusion for our family because it’s a human right. And as the future of inclusive care and education becomes less certain, schools like The Rise School of Denver are more important than ever.

Rise chooses to include. They choose quality, even when it’s not the easiest or trendiest (read: shiniest or best-funded) option. They choose hope, joy, inclusion, and belonging—not because it feels good, but because it’s what every human (especially our youngest ones) deserves.

Through the generosity of donors like you, Rise fundraises to cover more than 57% of their operating costs so that every single family can access the high-quality, inclusive care, education, and therapies they provide. That’s why we’re sharing our personal fundraising page with you—to help our community give every child the opportunity to belong.

On our last Colorado Gives Day, before we officially become a Rise School alumni family (though June Bug still gets the best therapies around at Rise Therapy Center—a bonus reason to donate!), we’d love for you to support Rise—a place that’s not just a school, but a home, a family, and a little piece of our heart.