Inclusion Rocks Foundation

Inclusion Rocks Foundation Supports Schools in our community that offer inclusion programs for kids and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Stephen Dey the founder and executive director began this journey when his daughter Avery was born with Down Syndrome. He and his wife Jessica Dey began to advocate for Avery and wanted to find a place where Avery could develop her life skills and grow in an inclusive program. For the last 13 years Stephen has served the diocese of Charlotte Catholic schools by first contributing to the special needs committee and then joining the Catholic Diocese School board. During his 6 years as a school board member, Stephen helped to shape the program that is being implemented in 5 of our are area Catholic schools.  Stephen sold a one of his businesses and decided to start an endowment to support inclusion in our Catholic schools. He quickly realized that those payouts were not going to be enough to make an impact sooner rather than later. 

Inclusion Rocks was formed to support schools like Charlotte Catholic and their Options program and help develop programs at new schools who would like to serve our kids. We are talking about a true inclusion program where the kids walk the halls each day and change classes just like normal students. Teachers have modified their curriculums for each student.  Our goal is to grow so we can support all schools who have a program for IDD kids or would like to start a program with the intent that all schools should offer inclusion programs and vocational training so our kids can become productive members of our community.