东11街621号（621 East 11th Street）曾经废弃的仓库对面，灯火闪烁，重新焕发生机。 ”拥抱混乱，练习耐心”的核心价值观之一 下行上行公司 标志着后墙。 在左边，摆满玩具、电影和游戏的架子一直到天花板。 To the right, small houses, hand-crafted with love and carefully decorated with lights, line the space. 的 room vibrates as it waits for kids and family members to bring it to life with the ”power of play,” another core value of this program’s work.
下行向上是由 特里萨·尼克斯，93年 他们的儿子埃弗雷特出生时患有唐氏综合症。 的y felt lost and lonely as new parents because their situation didn’t fit the everyday experience of many families. As they began reaching out for support, they found other families with children with disabilities experiencing the same feelings. Thus, began the journey of 缺点了!
Since its start 8 years ago, the program has grown its resources and offers 事件 such as family camps, retreats, open play dates, and more. 营Wakawalu是在瞭望台营地举办的夏季家庭夏令营，每年吸引约150名露营者。
In January 2020, 缺点了 turned that empty warehouse into Training Wheels, an activity and learning space for all abilities. Having a physical location for their work has provided Nix with more opportunities to minister to these families in need.
For now, the space provides day camps for PreK-4th graders of all abilities, preschool mornings, open playdates, family 事件, community connections, and socials for all ages. 然而，扩张正在进行中。 Nix and her volunteers are currently working on renovations outside for an outdoor playground and a community garden.
”We are very unique in what we do, and there aren’t any [other places in Chattanooga] like our program. Having a space for kids to come and play or moms to meet other moms going through the same thing is such a blessing,” said Nix.
家庭夏令营对尼克斯和参与该项目的家庭都极为重要。 When you have a child in need of extra care, a lot of attention and devotion often gets shifted. Family camps provide a space where the whole family can relax and have some fun together.
Nix commented that families who participate in 缺点了’s ministries are so grateful for a space to be known and cared for. ”Parents cry all the time because they finally found a place where they can build community and feel welcome.”
的 holiday season provides unique opportunities for Nix and her volunteers to bring encouragement opportunities to families. Winter camps are always exciting because sometimes it is the only time families can find quality care or a moment to breathe over the holiday season. ”和圣诞老人一起吃饼干,” a holiday favorite, is an extended period that families can sit, chat, and get pictures with Santa without the hustle and bustle of a long line.
”Having your kids take a picture with Santa never seems like a big deal or anything special, but for some families [”和圣诞老人一起吃饼干”] is the only time they can have the opportunity to get that picture,” said Nix.
节日也标志着一个给予季节的结束。 Nix expressed her deep gratitude for the support from the many people in her life, including the friends she has developed through 威尼斯人平台 and the community she has found in the greater Chattanooga area. 然而，宣传他们的部门仍然是一项持续的任务。
”It's always neat to see how our supporters as well as the community wrap their arms around us and continue to understand the importance of our work. But, getting our word out is also a big deal. Programs fill up really quickly because the people that we serve want to support everything, but we are still trying to get the word out to new families,” commented Nix.
今年，下行向上是传播节日的欢呼与即将到来的这些 事件 比如他们的 家庭度假工作坊：自然艺术与手工艺 12月10日星期六 和圣诞老人一起吃饼干 12月17日星期六，还有 假日野营地 12月19日至21日（幼儿园至四年级）。
的 鲁道夫5公里跑和家庭欢乐跑 将于12月11日下午1点在贝勒学院举行。 (To volunteer for this event follow 这个链接!) 本次活动的所有收益将用于支持下行向上和他们所做的工作。
Thank you, 的resa, for your continual work in providing spaces where children with disabilities and their families can grow and thrive! May this holiday season radiate creativity, growth, and learning, and may the Lord continue to provide for and bless your mission to embrace chaos and practice patience.