SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC

SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC SPARC is a therapeutic recreational day program serving adults in Northern Virginia with multiple and severe disabilities and their families.

For more info head to www.sparcsolutions.org.

This week at SPARC Alexandria, participants weren’t just passing the time—they were making choices, building skills, and...
04/24/2026

This week at SPARC Alexandria, participants weren’t just passing the time—they were making choices, building skills, and fully engaging with the world around them.

They explored accessible trails at Huntley Meadows, spotting wildlife and navigating the paths with confidence. They celebrated Earth Day through art, creativity, and hands-on learning. And by Friday, they were cooking a full meal, tackling coordination challenges, and teaming up for a competitive (and very spirited) game that had everyone fully engaged.

What stands out isn’t just the activity—it’s the growth. The confidence. The sense of belonging that comes from being part of something meaningful.

Experiences like these don’t happen by accident—they happen because people and organizations choose to invest in them.

If your company could directly impact moments like these—building skills, connection, and joy—why wouldn’t you?

Join us in making more of this possible.

This week at SPARC, Taku felt the hum of a sewing machine and smiled as he created something with his own hands. David c...
04/24/2026

This week at SPARC, Taku felt the hum of a sewing machine and smiled as he created something with his own hands. David carefully followed a recipe, made drinks for his friends, and proudly took that skill home with him. In between, there were walks filled with birdsong and honeysuckle, moments of music and laughter, and spaces designed so everyone could explore, connect, and succeed.

These aren’t just activities—they are opportunities. And for many adults with severe and multiple disabilities, opportunities like this are rare or simply don’t exist.

At SPARC, we see every day what’s possible when the right environment, support, and intention come together.

So here’s something we’re thinking about:
What would it look like if every adult with significant disabilities had access to days like this?

This week at SPARC ~ Leesburg was a powerful reminder that meaningful engagement doesn’t look the same for everyone—and ...
04/24/2026

This week at SPARC ~ Leesburg was a powerful reminder that meaningful engagement doesn’t look the same for everyone—and that’s exactly the point.

Whether it was a participant cautiously observing animals before joining in, creating art with adaptive supports, inviting friends to a birthday celebration, or moving from hesitation to joy in a sensory activity, each moment reflected something deeper than the activity itself. It showed growth in confidence, trust, communication, and connection.

Across every experience—from community outings to creative expression to sensory exploration—participants were supported in ways that honored their individual needs and strengths. That support made space for real inclusion: not just being present, but truly belonging.

The impact of SPARC’s program is seen in these small but meaningful breakthroughs—when someone takes a new step, expresses themselves in a new way, or reaches out to others. These are the moments that build independence, relationships, and a stronger sense of community for adults with severe and multiple disabilities.

This is what inclusion in action looks like.

Thank you, Supervisor Walter Alcorn, for visiting SPARC ~ Reston!We had a great conversation about the many ways our Mob...
04/22/2026

Thank you, Supervisor Walter Alcorn, for visiting SPARC ~ Reston!

We had a great conversation about the many ways our Mobile Exploration Lab (MEL) serves our community—traveling to all five centers as a sensory space, 3D printing lab, office, and more. MEL was designed by program director Kat Rader. You can learn more about it by visiting our website here: https://sparcsolutions.org/programs/sensory-lab/

We also had the opportunity to interview Supervisor Alcorn for our upcoming May podcast—stay tuned!

We are deeply grateful for our partnership with Fairfax County Government and for Supervisor Alcorn’s steadfast advocacy for people with disabilities.

SPARC proudly celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of our Specially Adapted Resource Center on April 17, 2026...
04/18/2026

SPARC proudly celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of our Specially Adapted Resource Center on April 17, 2026, at the Hybla Valley Community Center—a powerful milestone in expanding inclusive opportunities for adults with severe and multiple disabilities.

We were honored to be joined by incredible leaders and champions of our mission, including Fairfax County Supervisor Rodney Lusk, former Virginia Secretary of Education Jim D**e, Congressman Don Beyer, and Virginia’s First Gentleman Adam Spanberger. We also welcomed Congressman Eugene Vindman and Dr. Cindy Vindman, State Senator Kannan Srinivasan, Delegates Karen Keys-Gamarra and Paul Krizek, former Congressman Bill Alexander, and SPARC Board members Ellen D**e, Gaston Araoz, Hannah Irsfeld, Will Schermerhorn, Dave and Joanne Adams of the Dave and JoAnne Adams Group.

Board Chair Ellen D**e captured the spirit of the day, highlighting the collaboration that made this center—and our Mobile Exploration Lab—possible, with special thanks to Supervisor Rodney Lusk and Senator Mark Warner and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine. for their leadership and support.

CEO Debi Alexander shared during the program, the need for systemic change is urgent. Virginia remains under a permanent injunction for failing to adequately serve individuals with complex needs. Solutions exist—and SPARC is one of them. She encouraged policymakers to continue this conversation with me and our board of directors as we work toward meaningful, statewide impact.

The ribbon cutting—led by participant Bailey and DSP Mikea Jackson—was a moment of pure joy.

This center represents what’s possible when public leaders, private partners, families, and participants come together with a shared vision of inclusion, dignity, and belonging.

Thank you to everyone who made this day unforgettable, especially the SPARC team Kat Rader, Erica Gaffney, Andrew O'Dell, Dominique Williams, and Elijah Tracey —and to those who will help us build what comes next.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who came out to support SPARC today as we cut the ribbon at Hybla Valley Community Ce...
04/17/2026

We are deeply grateful to everyone who came out to support SPARC today as we cut the ribbon at Hybla Valley Community Center and showcased our Mobile Exploration Lab!

The lab was inspired when our CEO was looking for certifications for staff and learned about https://www.kulturecity.org/save/ the Sensory Activation Vehicle. She shared with our program director who had seen something similar at a concert in Nashville. After they explored options they agreed that a trailer was not conducive to SPARC's needs. That is how the Mobile Exploration Lab was born.

Kudos to program director Kat Rader and her expertise in the crucial elements of a sensory room. The team at adfsprinters.com are remarkable. You can learn more about their work by visiting
https://automotivedesignsandfab.com/adventure-van/mobile-sensory-room/

Today at SPARC ~ Leesburg, we reached for the stars—literally!Our group blasted off into a day full of outer space fun a...
04/15/2026

Today at SPARC ~ Leesburg, we reached for the stars—literally!

Our group blasted off into a day full of outer space fun and discovery. We kicked things off by learning about the upcoming Artemis II mission—the first crewed journey around the Moon in decades. Talk about inspiring big dreams!

We also explored some incredible space facts:

Jupiter is so massive that all the other planets could fit inside it

Mars is home to Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano in the entire solar system

Moments like these spark curiosity, connection, and a sense of wonder that reminds us anything is possible.

If you love seeing learning come to life and want to be part of a community where discovery and joy go hand in hand, follow along with us. The journey is just getting started.

Today at SPARC~ Alexandria we enjoyed a day full of creativity both indoors and outside. We started out the day prepping...
04/14/2026

Today at SPARC~ Alexandria we enjoyed a day full of creativity both indoors and outside. We started out the day prepping for today's meal of honey garlic chicken by locating all the ingredients and cookware we would need. Kat and Annabel lined everything up and it was time to get cooking! We started by mixing up the sauce in batches with Annabel and Chris. Next we tossed the chicken in and began searing it. While this cooked Bailey measured out some rice to get going in the rice cooker. Those who didn't want to cook were creating butterfly mosaics with a variety of crafting items. Everyone created unique works that came together as a beautiful kaleidoscope of wings. Susana and Mikey then took their turn in the kitchen and had the great idea to make our chicken into skewers for a fun meal. Together they created plenty just in time to serve up for lunch. After lunch we put some finishing touches on our butterflies while going through our daily questions and NYT games. Wordle was tricky but through brainstorming together we were able to solve it on the last try! To end off the day we headed over to check on our garden and plant a few more seeds. Derrek proudly showed off one of our sprouts while we picked out what veggies to plant next. We watered our garden and talked about what veggies would be ideal to grow and talked about the small differences between each! We wanted to make the perfect pick between butter lettuce, romaine, and iceberg. We enjoyed a nice warm day with an incredible social atmosphere SPARC always brings.

Kindness was in full swing at SPARC ~ Reston today As part of our Golden Rule Day, our participants took their mission b...
04/14/2026

Kindness was in full swing at SPARC ~ Reston today

As part of our Golden Rule Day, our participants took their mission beyond our walls and into the community. With sunshine overhead and grabbers in hand, they headed out on a walk with purpose—cleaning up the trail and leaving it better than they found it. Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed, earning heartfelt thanks from the rec center staff.

Back at the center, the giving continued. Our group stepped into the kitchen and prepared a batch of homemade organic mac & cheese—sharing it as a simple but meaningful thank-you to the staff who support us every day.

Moments like these reflect what SPARC is all about: contributing, connecting, and being valued members of the community.

And we’re just getting started. Later this week, our participants will be volunteering at a local food pantry—another opportunity to show how much they have to give.

Today at SPARC McLean, our theme of the day was all about adapting to change, and we truly rose to the occasion!We kicke...
04/13/2026

Today at SPARC McLean, our theme of the day was all about adapting to change, and we truly rose to the occasion!

We kicked off the morning with a few unexpected adjustments as our usual OFC space gets a fresh makeover. To keep everyone safe and minimize sensory disruptions, we cozied up together in the game room. While it’s a bit smaller than what we’re used to, it gave us the perfect opportunity to lean on one another, creating a supportive space where everyone could feel and work through the emotions that come with a sudden change in routine.

But of course, a little change didn’t stop the fun! ⛳ We celebrated the conclusion of the Masters Tournament in style by decorating our very own golf visors and bringing back a fan-favorite adapted activity: golf ball painting! Our visors turned out not only super stylish, but also practical; ready to keep us cool and shaded in the sunshine. And the painting? A hit as always! Whether it was rolling the golf balls to create colorful, textured masterpieces or deciding to keep the vibrant, paint-covered balls as souvenirs, we had a blast every step of the way.

Even with a few morning challenges, this group showed just how resilient and creative they can be. Together, we found solutions, supported one another, and made the most of our day. As Tammy perfectly said this afternoon, “like a golf ball, we just have to ROLLL with it!”

Today at SPARC~ Alexandria was a vibrant and engaging day with creativity flowing across a variety of mediums. We began ...
04/13/2026

Today at SPARC~ Alexandria was a vibrant and engaging day with creativity flowing across a variety of mediums. We began the morning by painting flower pots, with each participant bringing their own unique style and inspiration to their design. Some chose themes based on favorite football teams, while others embraced bright spring colors. Next, we transitioned into a fun culinary activity, where participants cheffed up their own mooncakes in celebration of the return of Artemis II. Everyone enjoyed spreading, drizzling, and adding toppings to create their own delicious treats, which were completed just in time for lunch. After lunch, participants rotated through a series of engaging stations. Kyleigh and Andrew led a collaborative large canvas painting, encouraging teamwork and shared artistic expression. At another station, Elijah and his group explored a space-themed activity by creating alien marshmallow skewers. Participants carefully melted chocolate and dipped each piece to make sweet outer space friends. Throughout the afternoon, participants also joined in rounds of Apples to Apples. Annabel, Brooke, and Jonah supported newer SPARC members by explaining the rules and helping them feel included in the game. The group shared many laughs, especially during moments when teams enthusiastically defended their card choices. We also got more work done on our garden with Emari and Julia helping set up and decide on seed starters to plant next!

Today was a wonderful, interactive day with A Place To Be filled with music, movement, creativity, and meaningful conver...
04/13/2026

Today was a wonderful, interactive day with A Place To Be filled with music, movement, creativity, and meaningful conversation. We enjoyed our usual programming with a lively sing-along and song trivia, which had everyone engaged, laughing, and showing off their musical knowledge. To keep the energy going, we added a physical activity using our group inflatable ball—and it was a surprisingly huge hit! Participants stayed active, worked together, and had so much fun building coordination and teamwork skills. Afterward, we created shell collages featuring the letters of each participant’s name, an engaging activity that encouraged self-expression, letter recognition, and fine motor development. We wrapped up the day by discussing exciting program ideas and plans for SPARC ~ Leesburg this summer. It was a well-rounded day full of connection, creativity, and community.

Address

1775 Tysons Boulevard Fifth Floor
Tysons Corner, VA
22102

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 2pm
Tuesday 10am - 2pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC:

Shortcuts

Share

Category