Blog

As we close out the FŌM25 season, we reflect on an incredible summer of service, teamwork, and impact. This year we had the privilege of playing it forward for Annie Mondragon, the Barton family, McDowell County Schools, the Woerner family, World Orphans, and Kids’ Food Basket in honor of Rose.

From July 28–August 22, our team is #PlayingItForward for World Orphans. World Orphans' mission is to equip, inspire, and mobilize the church to care for orphans and vulnerable children.

From June 30–July 25, our team is #PlayingItForward for the Woerner family—Mike, Eva, and Ozzy. In late 2024, Mike was diagnosed with stage 4 small bowel adenocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer that develops in the small intestine. Since then, the Woerners have been adjusting to a new reality—supporting Mike through treatment and working through the many changes that come with it.

In today's learning environments, it is more important than ever to acknowledge the diverse needs of learners. Neurodiversity challenges the traditional model of education that treats all students as if they learn in the same way. It means seeing each learner not as a diagnosis or a set of challenges, but as an individual with unique strengths, needs, and ways of engaging with the world. When educators shift their mindset in this way, they create space for deeper connection, stronger engagement, and meaningful growth for every student.

From May 5–30, our team is #PlayingItForward for the Barton family—Bill, Marci, Sydney, and Lucas. Lucas was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) when he was five and a half years old. DMD is a severe, progressive genetic disorder that causes muscle degeneration and weakness due to the absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact.

The term neurodiversity was first coined by Australian sociologist Judy Singer in the late 1990s. It refers to the natural variation in human brain function and cognition, including differences in learning, attention, mood, socialization, and communication. Conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, and Tourette syndrome all fall under the broader umbrella of neurodivergence.

In today’s educational landscape, the importance of creating spaces that foster belonging has become increasingly clear. A sense of belonging is not just a “nice-to-have”; it is a foundational element for student success. Research consistently shows that when students feel they belong, they are more engaged, more motivated, and achieve better outcomes academically and socially.