November 6, 2024

Building a Future of Hope: The Hope in Motion Movement

Posted November 6, 2024

 

 

In a world where nearly 1 in 6 children in the U.S. lives with a developmental disability, the obstacles families face can seem insurmountable. From managing therapy appointments and specialized education to finding time for daily life, the burden often becomes overwhelming. The Hope in Motion movement seeks to change this reality—not just by building a campus, but by transforming the entire system of care into a gold standard that supports families every step of the way.

 

The Reality for Families

The current system presents a daunting maze of services and logistics. According to the CDC, approximately 15% of children aged 3 to 17 years have a developmental disability. These children require comprehensive support, including specialized childcare, education, and a range of therapies. For families, navigating these essential services across multiple locations can create immense strain:

Financial Burden: Covering the cost of various services can be financially draining, forcing families to make difficult decisions about their child’s care.

Time Constraints: Coordinating numerous appointments often feels like a full-time job, leaving little room for work, self-care, or time with other family members.

Emotional Toll: The stress of juggling so many aspects of care can leave parents emotionally exhausted, impacting their well-being and their ability to fully support their child’s development.

 

The Vision Behind Hope in Motion

The Hope in Motion movement is more than just a response to these challenges; it’s a reimagining of how care should be delivered. We’re building a revolutionary new campus, establishing a program of comprehensive family support services, and setting a new gold standard in care that reaches across our entire organization. Here’s what the future holds:

 

Integrated Care Under One Roof: Our state-of-the-art campus will provide childcare, education, therapies, and family services all in one central location, streamlining the process for families.

Professional Collaboration: Dedicated teams of therapists, educators, and caregivers will work closely together, offering a coordinated and personalized approach that addresses the needs of the whole child.

 

Family-Centered Support Services: Beyond clinical care, the movement extends to include resources, education, and emotional support for families, alleviating stress and allowing them to focus on their child’s growth and well-being.

 

Why Hope in Motion Matters

This movement is about more than meeting the immediate needs of families. It’s about setting a new standard for care that inspires change across the nation:

 

Innovation in Care: Hope in Motion will serve as a groundbreaking model of integrated, family-centered care that could reshape how similar programs are developed nationwide.

 

Holistic Approach: By addressing all aspects of a child’s life—from therapy and education to family dynamics—we aim to deliver outcomes that go far beyond traditional care.

 

Scalability and Inspiration: The success of this movement has the potential to inspire the creation of similar facilities across the country, expanding access to this comprehensive care model.

 

How You Can Fuel the Future of Hope

 

Building a movement like Hope in Motion requires community support and involvement. Here’s how you can help bring this vision to life:

 

Donate: Every dollar goes directly to building and operating the Hope in Motion campus and supporting our family services. Thanks to our unique funding model, 100% of your donation fuels the cause. https://kotm.org/donate/#

 

Fundraise: Your voice can make a difference! By sharing the Hope In Motion fundraiser on your Facebook or starting your own, you help us spread awareness and raise vital funds for families facing the challenges of developmental delays.  Click here and get started:  https://www.facebook.com/share/2QBtsqe7XC6F2ahW/

 

Spread the Word: Share our mission with your friends, family, and colleagues to increase awareness and support for this transformative movement.

 

A Legacy of Hope and Change

Hope in Motion isn’t just about constructing a new campus; it’s about creating a brighter future where every child can access the care they need to thrive. When you support this initiative, you’re joining a movement that goes beyond buildings and programs—you’re helping to establish a gold standard of care that will impact generations to come.

 

Together, we can turn hope into action and create a legacy of change for children with developmental disabilities and their families. Let’s fuel the future of hope—one donation at a time.

 

Donate today and help us build a future filled with possibility.

 

Ways to Give – Kids on the Move

 

Thank you for your support and dedication to making a lasting difference.

Mat Dastrup, CFO

Mat Datstrop, Chief Financial Officer at KOTM, truly embodies a blend of expertise and visionary leadership. Joining Kids on the Move in September 2019, Mat brought a rich history of accomplishments, having served as CFO for manufacturing and software companies. His successful track record includes starting and selling three businesses, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic insight. As a licensed CPA and a Six Sigma Black Belt, Mat’s skill set is uniquely suited to driving innovation and accuracy within financial processes. His passion for integrating technology and developing robust accounting systems positions KOTM for long-term success. In his role, Mat is deeply dedicated to creating sustainable impacts that will echo throughout KOTM for decades. His presence in the organization is marked by a steadfast commitment to fostering an environment of lasting change, ensuring families benefit from his transformative work well into the future.

Ryan Erickson, COO

Ryan Erickson, the Chief Operating Officer of KOTM, brings a wealth of experience and a passionate commitment to nurturing innovation and growth. With over two decades spent as a thought leader and innovator in executive leadership roles across the medical, technical consulting, and information technology sectors, Ryan’s expertise is unparalleled. His dedication to mentoring entrepreneurs and CEOs on transforming ideas into reality speaks to his compassionate nature and deep-seated commitment to growth. Ryan views his role at KOTM as a unique opportunity to guide the organization into its next 40 years, shaping a resilient and forward-thinking future. His diverse skill set enables KOTM to not only meet current challenges with agility but also to strategically position itself for sustainable development and lasting impact. Under Ryan’s committed leadership, KOTM continues to inspire hope and innovation, reinforcing its status as a beacon of support and transformation for families everywhere.

Rachelle Rutherford, CEO

Rutherford is the strategic visionary and Chief Executive Officer of Kids on the Move (KOTM). A multifaceted and sophisticated businesswoman, she has led the trailblazing multimillion-dollar non-profit in its commitment to providing essential and comprehensive support, education, and therapies for children with delays and disabilities.  Rutherford has now spent 20 years in executive leadership roles within the telecommunications, genealogy, real estate, health care services, and education industries. Her notable contributions lie in her perseverance to find impossible and impactful solutions. Rutherford is skilled at reverse-engineering goals by mapping out exactly what is required for a successful outcome.

To help raise $150M to expand KOTM’s support services and establish a state-of-the-art center, Rutherford has partnered with Forbes Books to author and publish Chasing The Impossible, a captivating exposé delving into Kids on the Move’s transformative work. With it, she uncovers the compelling stories of resilience and hope from children, families, doctors, and community members who tenaciously pushed forward when faced with impossible odds or challenges.

Her profound understanding of what it takes to overcome the impossible stems from her own journey as a survivor of abuse and trauma, which has shaped her philanthropic missions, her intuitive nature, and her steadfast leadership. As a CEO, mom, speaker, and philanthropist, Rutherford believes discipline is one of the highest forms of self-love, consistently putting in the necessary work every single day to provide impactful solutions for others, promote a balanced and holistic lifestyle, and create opportunities for continuous growth and empowerment around the world.