A Blessing is a collective of Unicorns
My husband and I felt there were limited opportunities in Southwest Minnesota that met the needs of our family. We knew we were not alone.
Scott and Ryann have 3 children and live in the rural corner of SW MN. They have supported their boys while navigating through mental health concerns, nonverbal autism, EIDBI services, medical services, education and community supports.
Ryann has previously been described as a “unicorn” or someone who has a rare gift because she has had the opportunity through work experiences as an educator in special education and early intervention, a program director in adult community supports, additional training in: ASD, Behavior therapy, Special Education Leadership and her personal advocacy in programs like Partners in PolicyMaking and Special Education Advocacy from COPAA, she has quiet the perspective on all things disability
Finding More Moms
Laura is a mom to 2 children. She has navigated medical, school and community supports for her differently abled teen. Laura has been a longtime member of online support groups for parents and caregivers.
Laura and Ryann happened to meet by chance, the same kinder classroom for their youngest children. The patience, acceptance and inclusion that is modeled in her home was also displayed in that classroom with an invitation to a party.
Non-profit for purpose
Building the Blessing started as a parent support group in 2024 that was creating activities for their children with special needs in our area and mostly managed social media. Creating a community that understands the challenges and change that come from caregiving to people with additional needs.
The group went nonprofit in 2025, to create change right here at home. We raised funds to donate a communication board to the elementary playground where 28 children were unable to ask a friend to play or tell an adult they were cold due to either being preverbal, nonverbal or not having the language in English. The communication board was installed in time for the 2025 school year to begin.
NEWS:: Building the Blessing is getting an office space: to host support groups, provide resources, assist with navigation of supports and systems with families
Say Hey & Get Involved!
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