Dreams With Wings

06/12/2026

Dreams With Wings would like to extend our sincere thanks to Enterprise Mobility/Enterprise Mobility Foundation for their generous grant again this year.

Thanks to their support, children, teens, and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism are able to experience a summer filled with fun, friendship, learning, and adventure throughout Louisville and the surrounding communities.

Transportation plays a vital role in making these experiences possible, and with the help of Enterprise Mobility Foundation, our summer campers can safely travel to exciting destinations, community activities, and favorite local spots all summer long.

We are incredibly grateful for partners like Enterprise Mobility Foundation who help create meaningful memories and opportunities for the individuals we serve. Thank you for helping make summer unforgettable!

06/10/2026

Have you ever seen this mural at Dreams With Wings?

The 4 beautiful humans chosen on the wall represent all aspects of Dreams With Wings. They are four of our earliest participants that lived in our staffed residences, attended our ADT, and were part of Supported Employment. They are and were the heart of our program. Each one had a unique story that inspired us. 

The artists also worked with the Dreamers to capture their flowers which they transposed onto the wall.

Thank you to:
Ashley “Ace” Cathey & Michelle Johnson/Healing Walls Project with Dreams With Wings artists Angie Way, Billy Noel, Cole Haysley, David Hesen, Ian Holt, John Thomas Pigg, Linda Montgomery, Linda Wilcox, Lucie Ledford, Marie Steiner, & Mary Katherine True.

======
      

06/08/2026

A huge thank you to Let's Roam for generously donating scavenger hunt tickets to support Dreams With Wings’ Dare to Dream Fundraiser on September 17, 2026!

Your thoughtful in-kind donation will help us raise important funds by donating to our silent auction a fun and memorable experience for the lucky winner. Donations like yours not only help bring people together, but also help us continue empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism to live their dreams every day.

We are so grateful for your support and partnership in making this event even more exciting for our guests! 💙

If your nonprofit is looking for an in-kind donation, visit https://www.letsroam.com/donations/request

Dare to Dream Tickets On Sale Now - https://dreamswithwings.networkforgood.com/events/96146-dare-to-dream-a-caribbean-night

06/05/2026

Want to make our annual Dare To Dream event extra special? Stay the night in one of the airstreams at Progress Park Airstream Resort & Event Center!

This years theme is "A Caribbean Night", with an unforgettable evening featuring a lively cocktail hour, island-inspired appetizers, refreshing drinks, vibrant live entertainment, a delicious plated dinner, an exciting live auction, and our grand raffle treasure chest, all in support of making dreams possible.

Skip the drive home with a convenient overnight stay right on site. Airstreams are limited, so we encourage guests to book early.

If you are interested in staying onsite, visit the Progress Park website at https://www.progressparkky.com/

1. All units are currently blocked on 9/17 so they can only be booked by guests attending this event.
2. Check in begins at 3:00 PM and check out is 11:00 AM daily.
3. Instructions for how to book will be sent to ticket holders in mid-July.

Mark your calendars: Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Progress Park. Tickets are on sale now!

06/04/2026

We are so grateful to the Louisville Knights of Columbus councils who continue to support Dreams With Wings through their generosity and commitment to our mission:

⭐ Knights of Columbus St. John XXIII Council #5634 St. Rita Catholic Church Louisville

⭐ Kentucky Knights of Columbus Kentucky Knights of Columbusf Columbus

⭐ Knights of Columbus – Bishop Spalding Council #2761

We are incredibly grateful to these local Knights of Columbus groups for their generous donations and support of Dreams With Wings. Your kindness is more than a gift, it’s an investment in inclusion, independence, and opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism.

Because of you, we are able to continue to build a community where everyone is seen, supported, and celebrated. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us turn dreams into reality.

06/03/2026

A huge thank you to the two incredible volunteer teams from Fanatics for spending the day giving back to Dreams With Wings!

Your hard work made a noticeable difference as you tackled weeds in planting beds, trimmed bushes, spread mulch, and painted at our residences. From freshening up spaces to creating cleaner, brighter outdoor areas, your efforts helped make our homes even more welcoming, and the envy of the neighborhood.

We are so grateful for your time, energy, and willingness to roll up your sleeves to make a difference in our community. Thank you for helping us create spaces where people are proud to call home, enjoy their outdoor spaces, and truly thrive!

Want to plan an volunteer outing with your co-workers? Email [email protected].

06/01/2026

DWW Value: Healthy Lifestyles - Promotion of a healthy lifestyle in all areas, physical, mental and spiritual is essential.

This spring, Dreams With Wings clients participated in Cooking Matters, a six-week hands-on cooking program offered through Dare to Care Food Bank

These weekly classes give individuals the opportunity to learn practical cooking skills, kitchen safety, healthy meal preparation, and confidence in the kitchen, all in a fun, supportive environment. Participants are learning by doing, trying new foods, building independence, and discovering that healthy cooking can feel approachable and empowering.

Programs like Cooking Matters are a wonderful example of our Dreams With Wings value of Healthy Lifestyles: promoting wellness physically, mentally, and spiritually. Beyond preparing healthy meals, participants are building confidence, social connection, creativity, and pride in their accomplishments.

We love seeing our clients grow through experiences that help them feel capable, confident, and more independent every day. 💙

05/29/2026

Can’t make it to the park tonight to see the ADT? You can experience the fun with our Shakespeare study at CLS Drama Night!

The stage is magical, but so are the remarkable experiences you discover during art education.

In this video you’ll see how Creative Director, Jessica De La Rosa uses the exploration of Shakespeare’s texts to bolster not only our acting skills,but to bolster confidence, creative thinking, and belonging.

Acting and improv provide a non-judgmental space where our dreamers can uplift one another in their exploration.

Clients in our Community Living Support program absolutely rocked this event!

Watch the full video via : linktr.ee/Dreamswithwings

==

05/27/2026

✨NEW BLOG POST ✨

Big cheers to Louisville Office Furniture for helping us deck out our new space! Thanks to their generosity, we’re settling into a fun new home where great stuff, big dreams, and even bigger impact can keep growing.

"If we can take care of something like furniture, that allows more funding to go toward what really matters—helping people through their therapies and experiences.” - Chris Adkins

Read more about it here:

“If we can take care of something like furniture, that allows more funding to go toward what really matters—helping people through their therapies and experiences.” — Chris AdkinsAs Dreams With Wings continues to grow, so does its need for space—and support.After experiencing continued gro...

05/26/2026

Written by Group A leader, Maranda Smith...

Some months remind me exactly why this work matters so much. Oh, how it matters.

Our group has been busy in the best ways lately with museum visits; art meditation/neurographics exercises (something new I’ve introduced that they absolutely love, allowing them to explore creativity, imagination, and meditation); park days; tie-dye creations; drumming circles; slime kitchen fun; Meals on Wheels; pottery; bowling; mall trips; community outreach and connection during our Tuesday Monet’ coffee shop visits; board games and jigsaw puzzles; lunch outings; a Brightside litter pickup volunteer opportunity; important conversations about health and wellness; and special visits from the WAGS therapy dog, Kye. In a nutshell. ;)

What may look like “activities” on the outside are actually moments of healing, connection, confidence-building, creativity, laughter, and community. Watching everyone come alive in their own unique ways has been such a meaningful experience.

I’m proud of this group for showing up, trying new things, supporting one another, and continuing to grow together. These are the moments people carry with them long after the day ends.

Busy days. Full hearts. Bodies moved. Souls enriched!

I’m so looking forward to introducing even more fun activities and watching them blossom every day. What a gift it is to lead such a beautiful group of individuals. They have made me a better person in every way, and I feel so fortunate to love what I do each day.