Henry's House

We are celebrating at Henry’s House! Each Friday, we will highlight a team around the country that is caring for young children with disabilities in their local community. These organizations inspire us, teach us, and strengthen our resolve to create a place for Henry and kids like him here in Cleveland.

Our first story is about Penfield Children's Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and their amazing student, Peyton.

We love your heart, Peyton! Keep shining your special light ☀️🏡🌈

Meet Peyton | Penfield Children's Center Peyton was born with a complex medical condition that resulted in frequent seizures and delayed motor function. He receives care 5 days a week that includes ...

About 10 years ago, another mom - Cristin Lind - sat down to try and answer a simple question: what is it like to be a parent of a child with special needs? She answered by drawing a care map of all the institutions, systems, programs and people that had a role in her son’s care. This simple and unflinching exercise drew a ton of attention in the health field because it demonstrated just how fractured children’s support systems have become. And, how far we have to go before healthcare, education and social services are truly family centered.

Inspired by Cristin, I drew my own map for my own child who is both disabled and healthy. 15 clinicians. 12 specialties. Hundreds of appointments a year. And he’s HEALTHY. It takes my breath away to think of how this map will change as he ages, or how it would look when he become seriously ill again.

Henry’s House will co-locate therapy services and coordinate care with local clinicians to support children getting the care they need, and parents/caregivers relief from shouldering this burden alone.

Everyone is welcome at Henry’s House. And Henry’s House will be designed to welcome everyone.

From building design, to curriculum, staffing, services and culture - we will create a space where children with and without disabilities can thrive.

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And we’re off!! 🥳

Over the last 24 hrs, we have gone from zero followers to building a great little community! I don’t know who originally said that it takes a village to raise a child, but the same is true for Henry’s House. We won’t be able to do this without our village. And we are so very grateful you’re here!

Many of you are asking how you can help. We promise: we won’t hesitate to ask. Below are three quick things you can do to help right now. For those hoping to donate - THANK YOU!! - and sit tight! As soon as our fundraising strategy is set, we’ll reach out to let you know how you can contribute to Henry’s building fund.

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WAYS TO HELP:

1️⃣ Follow us here on and sign up for Henry’s News(letter) via our website (link in bio). We will use these venues to share updates on our progress, ask for help on specific projects, and raise awareness why Henry’s House is so important for the Cleveland community.

2️⃣ If you are interested in sharing your talents with us, or have a great community connection, let us know! We will keep a list of our talented friends and refer to it often. If you have any experience in early childhood education, early intervention, disability services/policy, NFP management, fundraising, social media/web, etc… Henry and his buddies (and his parents) need you!

3️⃣ Immediate needs for help:
• people who have experience starting a NFP;
• availability and skill to help finish the business plan;
• and relationships with local public/private stakeholders to help us introduce Henry’s House and ask for their support.

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☀️☀️Welcome to Henry’s House! ☀️☀️ Henry’s House is on a mission provide early childhood education and therapy services to children with and without disabilities.

We are:
👶🏾👶🏻👶🏼👶🏽👶🏿 Child first
🌈👩‍🦼🤙Radically inclusive
🧩Team-based
💪Strengths-focused
💕Family-centered

Henry’s House is radically inclusive - designed to welcome all children, regardless of abilities.

Hi friends! Meet Henry 🥰

Henry is the inspiration for creating Henry’s House, Cleveland’s first early childhood center designed specifically to care for children with disabilities.

We hope you’ll join us in this heart project to create a space for kids like Henry to learn and grow. We are just getting started!

“Never underestimate the capacity of the very young, and never, never let them down.” - Dr. Charles Penfield