It’s particularly poignant to imagine “what if?” with children right now. While the world spins on in its harshness we get to do the precious work of imagining other ways of being together. And then we have the incredible privilege of making them reality.

We dream together.

What if…each one of us felt treasured, and knew a sense of unconditional belonging?

What if…life were always brightly colored and full of sparkle?

What if…each one of us got to be ourselves without judgment?

What if…we took care of each other, no matter what?

What if…we all knew the natural world as a dear friend?

What if…we were all free?

At Wheelhouse, these utopian visions are also things that we practice with one another every day. We don’t always get it right. We stumble and we fall. But we always try again. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, and I am deeply proud of the staff, children, and family members who care for one another, strive to grow into their best selves, forgive one another, and hold each other’s hands through hardship.

While we practice this beautiful work, we also need to pay the electric bill. And the plow company. And the insurance company. As families of young children become increasingly strapped financially, while our own operating expenses rise, we must reach out to our extended community to help us make ends meet. We rely on donations from our extended community for about 10% of our budget.

Would you please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a recurring monthly donor? All contributions mean a lot to us

Annual Fund 2026

What if we dreamed the world we want for our children? What if we made it real?