Gayle's Fundraiser

Help Spencer and Every Autistic Dancer Spread Their Wings in Our New Studio!

Hi, I'm Gayle and I am the director of classes here at Autistic Wings. I'm not sure I knew what I was getting into when I started teaching here. I knew my dancers would be my precious students, but I don't think I realized just how much I would love each and every one of them. Teaching my little prima dona ballerinas to my adult dancers is the highlight of my week.

One thing I love about teaching is our approach. Our classes are small. We have between 1-4 dancers per class, and two teachers per class. We have a dance studio version of an IEP, so we know our dancers inside and out. We adapt our classes and how we teach to our dancers, not the other way around. The dancers love it, and it allows the teachers to truly know their dancers.

The Challenge: We Have Outgrown Our Space

When we started last year, sharing a space with another studio wasn't a problem. We didn't have a lot of dancers. So, two days a week was enough. However, the more people who find out about our amazing program, the more dancers we have. Right now, we are at the point that we are turning families away. We just do not have the room to add anymore classes, and we won't compromise on our values by adding extra dancers to classes.

Spencer and his mom working on movement in in Spencer's Private Dance Class

The Solution: 250 Heroes Donating $20 (or more) Monthly

We're ecstatic because Autistic Wings has found a new, much larger studio space to eliminate our long waiting list! This move is essential, but the costs of getting the new facility ready for our dancers are significant. Plus, the building's owner wants proof that Autistic Wings can pay the monthly rent.

The rent alone is around $5000 a month. That seems like a lot of money, but if 250 heroes step up and agree to donate at least $20 a month, we would be able to make the rent.

Your donation will also help us:

1. Build a Sensory-Safe Environment: Convert the new space into a functional, safe environment, including essential acoustic paneling and specialized lighting.

2. Expand Class Offerings: The larger space finally gives us the capacity to eliminate the waiting list and open evening and weekend classes for both children and adults. We would be able to grow by 200% starting in January. We are on target to grow by 400% by next September.

3. Ensure Stability: Cover the added monthly operational costs of a larger studio so we can focus on our dancers, not the rent, the utilities, and the overhead. Which allows Autistic Wings to keep our tuition where our dancers and their families can afford dance. (Plus, it allows us to offer scholarships for the families who need a little extra help.)

Thanks you for your support of Autistic Wings and our dancers! With your help, my dancers will continue to soar on their wings. We will also be able to bring in new dancers, too.