ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
After high school, many young people with intellectual disabilities sit at home with little to do because Texas ranks 49th in the nation in funding services for adults with disabilities. If there are services available, there are usually not in our area of south Dallas county. Parents must travel into and through the city of Dallas for most programs. Our mission is to develop vocational, social, recreational, educational, and residential programs for young adults with intellectual disabilities who live in southern Dallas and northern Ellis counties.
OUR HISTORY
The Soaring Eagle Center began as the dream of one mom. In June 2003, the Center incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Texas. The following fall, a seven member board of directors composed of mothers and special education teachers was established. In February 2004, the Center was granted tax-exempt status by the IRS as a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Since May of 2004, the Soaring Eagle Center has served thirty-five young people and their families through Special Olympics, social activities, educational classes, and a day program.
OUR PROGRAMS
Currently the Soaring Eagle Center offers the following programs:
The ASSOCIATE DAY PROGRAM meets four days a week from 9:00am until 2:30pm at the Soaring Eagle Center Thrift, 104 Chowning Drive, Suites 100 and 102. Young adults who have finished high school attend classes such as reading, math, geography, Spanish, letter writing, and crafts for half a day. For the other half of day, they receive job training at the on site thrift shop. Working out in the exercise room and participating in the center's band are also part of their activities
SPECIAL OLYMPICS' practices and tournaments are held year round. Soaring Eagles currently compete in bowling, basketball, and softball. Bowling practices and tournament are held on Sunday afternoons in the fall. Basketball practices are held Thursday evenings from November to February with tournaments on the weekends. Softball practices and games are held on Thursday evenings in April and June. Our teams are open to any young person or adult between the ages of fourteen and ninety nine.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES are held once a quarter and include dances, cookouts, swim parties, game nights, and parties of all kinds. Families are encouraged to stay and share in the fun. Young people of any age and their families are invited to attend.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to expand the Associate Day Program by purchasing our own facility. We are currently our of space in our leased suites. We have located a property in Desoto which would be ideal for our programs. We are in the process of raising the funds needed to purchase the facility. A larger facility would also mean expanded social and recreational programs.
Another vision of the Soaring Eagle Center is to provide residential opportunities for our young adults who currently live at home with family.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Myrle Westlund, President - Myrle is married to Jeff and the mother of three. Her daughter, Kendra, graduated from DeSoto High School and has been a part of the Soaring Eagles since its inception. Kendra attends the Associate Day Program. Myrle also volunteers her time as the Executive Director of the Soaring Eagle Center.
Peggy Jenkins, Vice President - Peggy and her husband, Barry, own a local company and have two children and five grandchildren. Their daughter, Amy, is a graduate of Midlothian High School and is an enthusiastic participant in the Associate Day Program and Special Olympics. Barry and Peggy help coach our Special Olympics teams.
Mary Blankenship, Secretary - Mary and her husband, Gary, have two sons. Bryan is a graduate of Red Oak High School and is involved in the Associate Day Program and all of our other activities. Mary has been very active in organizations which serve children with special needs.
Logan Garrett, Treasurer - Logan and his wife, Donna, have two grown sons and live in Red Oak. Logan has extensive experience in business, project management, and nonprofit consulting. He is currently the CEO of the Garrett Group, a business consulting company.
Carol Parker, Board Member - Carol is the mother of two grown sons and has over thirty years experience in education most of it in special education. She was head of special education at DeSoto High School for several years. She currently has a consulting company that helps school districts develop peer tutoring programs for students in special education.