When Ashton was a baby, everyday moments like mealtime were anything but ordinary. They were terrifying.
“He would choke very badly [when feeding], to the point of changing color and vomiting—almost every time.”
recalls Amber, Ashton’s Mom.
For Amber and her family, feeding and sleeping became daily emergencies. The stress was constant, the fear overwhelming, and with Ashton’s older brother Avery also showing signs of developmental delays, the future felt uncertain and frightening.
But thanks to the generosity of Ignite Kirkland supporters—and a $4,500 grant awarded through the Kirkland Community Foundation—cases like Ashton and Avery’s are taking a hopeful turn. What may begin as a crisis can become a journey of healing, growth, and resilience.
The 2024 Ignite Kirkland grant supported Kindering, a trusted early intervention provider serving families across the Eastside. Through their Redmond center, Kindering reached more than 470 Kirkland families last year, delivering thousands of therapy sessions designed to meet children where they are—physically, emotionally, and developmentally.
For Ashton, this meant receiving in-home and classroom-based speech-language and occupational therapy. With the help of Kindering’s expert team, he learned to eat solid foods safely, gained weight, and began to thrive. Today, he’s full of energy, personality, and confidence.
His older brother Avery also received services through Kindering. After completing his therapy, Avery showed typical developmental progress and now proudly embraces his role as Ashton’s caring big brother.
“When you think disability, you think ‘limiting,’ and you think their life won’t be as full or successful. And that’s not true. Kindering showed us that. He’s thriving—better than some kids who are typically developing and don’t have these kinds of support systems.” said their mother, Amber.
Kindering’s work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of ability or financial circumstance.
In 2023 alone, Kindering provided over 4,500 therapy sessions for Kirkland families—many of whom faced significant barriers to accessing care. These sessions included feeding therapy, speech-language support, occupational therapy, and developmental education tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Importantly, Kindering also delivered more than $3 million in uncompensated services, ensuring that no child was turned away due to financial hardship. The Ignite Kirkland grant played a key role in bridging those gaps, helping families like Ashton and Avery’s access life-changing care without added financial strain
“This is what local generosity makes possible,” said Carmin Dalziel, Executive Director, Kirkland Community Foundation. “When neighbors invest in neighbors, good things grow.”
The $4,500 grant to Kindering was awarded as part of the Ignite Kirkland Youth Choice Award, a special recognition that highlights programs making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. Selected with input from youth advisors and community members from Kirkland, the award reflects the values of compassion, inclusion, and empowerment.
Kindering’s work exemplifies these values. By embracing children of diverse abilities and supporting their families with expert care and education, Kindering nurtures not only skills—but also hope and courage.
The choice for an award like this is easy when Kindering embraces children of diverse abilities and their families to providing the finest education and therapies to nurture hope, courage, and the skills to soar.
Amber’s story is one of many, but it captures the heart of what Kindering and Ignite Kirkland make possible. Her family went from feeling overwhelmed and isolated to feeling supported, empowered, and optimistic.
She recalls the early days of Ashton’s therapy—how every small milestone felt monumental. The first time he ate without choking. The first time he slept through the night. The first time he laughed without discomfort.
And she remembers how Kindering’s team treated her family with compassion and respect, never minimizing their fears or rushing their progress.
“They didn’t just help Ashton—they helped all of us. They gave us tools, encouragement, and the belief that our kids could thrive.”
While the impact of the Ignite Kirkland grant is already visible, the need for continued support remains. Kindering is actively seeking funding to expand:
Every dollar invested helps build a stronger, healthier future for children like Ashton and Avery—and for the community as a whole.
The story of Ashton and Avery is a testament to what’s possible when a community comes together to support its youngest members. It’s a reminder that early intervention isn’t just a medical choice—it’s a lifeline. And that generosity, when coupled with ongoing care, can transform lives.
Through the Kirkland Community Foundation and the Ignite Kirkland initiative, donors, volunteers, and advocates are helping create a future where every child has the chance to thrive.
Neighbors helping Neighbors. Launched in fall 2024, the Kirkland Community Foundation’s inaugural Ignite Kirkland campaign united residents, nonprofits, and businesses to fund 28 impactful local projects—granting $45,000, empowering 26 organizations, and igniting a lasting spirit of generosity and collaboration across the community.
KCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
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