After 60 years with a clinic in Bellevue, Kindering - the largest nonprofit neurodevelopmental center in the Pacific Northwest - celebrated the Grand Opening ceremony of its newly expanded Redmond campus, located in the Together Center, on September 14. Representative Tana Senn gave the keynote address at the event; the offices of Senator Patty Murray and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci also shared their remarks on the importance of Early Supports for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT). Dr. Lisa Greenwald, Kindering’s CEO, tells me that the importance of early intervention is based on research that says the brain grows 85% by age three, and neuroplasticity is at a peak during that time.
The organization was started in 1962 by five families, with the mission to embrace kids of diverse abilities by providing the finest education and therapies to nurture hope, courage, and the skills to soar. Demand for those therapies is ever growing, and Dr. Greenwald says client counts grow 11-12% each year. Over 10,000 children and families are served each year through crucial therapies, special education, and family supports.
Families can be referred to Kindering by pediatricians or simply walk in. “No door is the wrong door,” to get started with Kindering says Dr. Greenwald. “We’re excited about this expanded full-service campus that will help us provide life-changing therapies, special education, and other services to over 100 more children and families on the Eastside each year. Kindering is also proud to be located at the Together Center, a unique human services model which shares our value of putting equity at the center,” she enthused.
Most services are provided in families’ homes, but Redmond is similar to Bellevue and Bothell as a full-service clinic. Kindering fills gaps in services within the community. Dr. Greenwald mentions that roughly $50M is saved from public school district spending due to Kindering’s services. Community members can support Kindering by volunteering their time (retired teachers, therapists, and others who enjoy working with young children are in demand), or make a financial contribution. Kindering prioritizes equity of all kinds, and strives to “Eradicate systemic, racial, and oppressive barriers so everyone succeeds.”
