Quality of Life. Respect for Autonomy. -ongoing
At Meadowlark, we strive to help each individual feel good about themselves. No one will be forced into jobs that they do not find engaging, fulfilling, or suited to their life goal. However, we will not turn a blind eye to sloth or avoidance. We will offer accommodations and options in order to find the right fit so our residents and employees can feel they are living their best life. Each resident will be allowed choices throughout their day giving them as much independence as they are able to manage. For some, that might mean just a weekly check in to make sure their home is in order and that they've been attending work. We will strive to provide customized care that grants our residents an appropriate sense of autonomy.
Green Initiatives. Universal Design. -ongoing
In Kansas we are blessed with ample wind, sun, and space. We plan to utilize all of these and build a facility with a carbon neutral, or carbon negative footprint. Passive solar heating, wind generated electricity, solar panels, walk-ability, bike-ability, and locally sourced materials are all a part of our master plan. "Green" lifestyles not only make sense environmentally, they make sense financially. A one time purchase of a solar panel put to optimal use will trump the monthly pay of an electric bill run on carbon releasing burning of coal. Our close proximity to population centers will reduce the release of green house gas into the environment. Green building techniques will reduce the trapping of heat.
Additionally, we acknowledge the fact that we will have residents who have physical limitations. It is our intention to accommodate people of all physical abilities, and to this end, we aim to incorporate Universal Design concepts into our buildings. Every consideration will be made in the construction of this facility to make it user and environmentally friendly.
Additionally, we acknowledge the fact that we will have residents who have physical limitations. It is our intention to accommodate people of all physical abilities, and to this end, we aim to incorporate Universal Design concepts into our buildings. Every consideration will be made in the construction of this facility to make it user and environmentally friendly.
About the Founders
Aimee Evans is a wife, mother of one, and a Registered Behavior Technician working in the Kansas City Metro area. Aimee has had a passion for learning and teaching from a very young age. In school, she tutored, held leadership roles in educational clubs, and quite honestly, nerded it up. She graduated top 10% of her class, was in National Honor Society, and was awarded the Citizenship Award. Aimee could always be found helping fellow students and friends with their school work without doing the work for them. In college, she continued to tutor high school students, and led study groups. She has also held educator roles and her resume includes an Adjunct Professorship for Fort Scott Community College, camp counselor at Wildwood Outdoor Education Center, and para educator in a preschool.
Aimee got her start in the world of Autism after graduating from Kansas State University in 2006. As a classroom para for an inclusive preschool, she found her place in the world. She loved her workplace, her mentors, the ethos and the methodology so much, she began to wonder how it could be implemented large scale for a larger range of ages.
After 6 wonderful years, Aimee left the school district for the private sector so she could continue working but also raise a family. Working in the homes of children with Autism only made it more apparent that something needs to be done to offer families relief without total separation, as well as not costing them their financial freedom. Meadowlark is her hope for helping keep families together, while also offering that transition to an independent life that all humans naturally desire. LINKED IN
Breanne Wasinger is a native of Wichita, and is currently employed as a Volunteer Coordinator for the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. She grew up in a household where education was highly valued, and disability issues were of utmost importance – both her parents are retired educators, and she has a younger sister who is diagnosed with emotional and cognitive disabilities. These influences have had a major impact on her education and career choices.
Breanne has been employed as a special education department secretary, a para for summer school programs and in an inclusive preschool classroom, and as a respite and Intensive Individual Support provider as part of the KMAP Autism Waiver. In 2014 she earned a Master’s degree in Museum Studies, with an emphasis on museum education and accessibility. She is highly interested in the benefits of exposure to art, objects, nature, and artistic expression for learners who have disabilities.
Her dream for Meadowlark is that it will be a place of confluence, where learners of all types will be welcomed and provided for in order to create stronger, more inclusive communities. Breanne’s motivation comes from a lifetime of watching her family struggle with poor options and limited opportunities for her sister. Her sister’s disinterest in the jobs available to her – repetitive tasks that she had no voice in choosing – caused a visible unhappiness, and stagnancy in her life. Being given the ability to have a say in her work, her life, her future, has afforded her an opportunity to have what we all deserve – the chance to live a life of her own choosing. Breanne dreams of being able to make such a difference in the lives of individuals who are experiencing the same struggle. Our family members living with disabilities deserve the opportunity to be involved in our communities and the chance to do work of their choosing that is truly interesting, enriching, and fulfilling. LINKED IN
Breanne has been employed as a special education department secretary, a para for summer school programs and in an inclusive preschool classroom, and as a respite and Intensive Individual Support provider as part of the KMAP Autism Waiver. In 2014 she earned a Master’s degree in Museum Studies, with an emphasis on museum education and accessibility. She is highly interested in the benefits of exposure to art, objects, nature, and artistic expression for learners who have disabilities.
Her dream for Meadowlark is that it will be a place of confluence, where learners of all types will be welcomed and provided for in order to create stronger, more inclusive communities. Breanne’s motivation comes from a lifetime of watching her family struggle with poor options and limited opportunities for her sister. Her sister’s disinterest in the jobs available to her – repetitive tasks that she had no voice in choosing – caused a visible unhappiness, and stagnancy in her life. Being given the ability to have a say in her work, her life, her future, has afforded her an opportunity to have what we all deserve – the chance to live a life of her own choosing. Breanne dreams of being able to make such a difference in the lives of individuals who are experiencing the same struggle. Our family members living with disabilities deserve the opportunity to be involved in our communities and the chance to do work of their choosing that is truly interesting, enriching, and fulfilling. LINKED IN