Supporters promote inclusion at FIRE and Flights

Supporters of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa attended the annual FIRE and Flights event in Sioux City. The organization raises awareness and funds for inclusion of students with disabilities and special needs into Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City. 

Dr. Ryan Allen, president of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa, explained the group has provided funding for paraprofessionals, professional development, manipulatives, sensory equipment and other expenditures to help schools accommodate children with special needs and disabilities. 

This inclusion helps families keep sibling groups together when they have selected Catholic schools for their families. 
Diocesan Superintendent Patty Lansink offered her thanks to the foundation and the supporters. As Bishop John E. Keehner was in Rome at the time of the event, he recorded a message of support that was shown to the attendees. A recorded message from Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School students Jack Lohr and Liam Allen was also shown to demonstrate the impact of the foundation's efforts.

Patty Lansink, diocesan superintendent of schools, offered her thanks to the supporters and the foundation. She stressed that students with different abilities are enrolled in all 15 Catholic school systems in the diocese, and the foundation helps the schools best serve all students.

The foundation has gifted over $200,000 in grants to diocesan Catholic schools in three years' time. From this, 10 dedicated positions to support students were created, over 500 students have been directly assisted and over 140 educators have been trained in specialized inclusive education techniques. All 15 diocesan school systems have been received grants. For more information, go to firefoundationnwiowa.org. 

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