daVinci's Brain 3DPMakerspace
Hello, my name is Valerie Kiley and I am the creator of a community-based Occupational Therapy and 3D printing MakerSpace in downtown Monroe.
This space is targeted towards youth in order to teach social and emotional learning whilst engaging in 3D printing technology in a supportive environment. I want there to be a place where kids can go, feel safe, a sense of belonging and build esteem. I can truly say that the work that I do is my passion and purpose.
I am a seasoned Occupational Therapist with twenty-two years of experience. I have worked in six states in a variety of practice settings as well as having treated across the entire lifespan. I am also an experienced therapy department manager and entrepreneur. I have led teams ranging from four therapists to 200 employees across Michigan and Indiana. I know how to scale a business and have done so by doubling two separate rehab departments in staff size, referrals, and revenue while maintaining client relationships, retaining staff, and ensuring quality care.
With that being said, the job that I am proudest of is being a MOM to three bright, creative, and sensible children, as well as one beautiful angel toddler in Heaven who keeps blessing us every day. To this day, six years after his passing, it still feels strange to have to decide how to tell people I just met about our beloved Alex. He will always be a part of our family. His introduction is critical to the understanding of the story I am about to share with you. 
Alex Weakly was two years old when he passed away from an undiagnosed heart condition in his sleep on September 17, 2010. He continues to be a beacon of light.
The reason I am passionate our creative space downtown Monroe is because I have identified that there is a desperate need for an accessible place and opportunities for youth to engage in positive activities. What makes daVinci's Brain a unique space is that it was developed with Occupational Therapy framework and domain in mind, which is highly influenced by mental health and psychosocial development. Through my research, both evidence based and qualitative conversations with community educators and leaders, I realized that there are so many students who could benefit from the emotional support of such a place and the time to relax. What I have created is exactly what I wish were available for my kids while we were attempting to "normalize" life after our tragic loss and sequential secondary life changes. If there were an accessible place like this to help with school work and engaging with mentors to have stress free and positive experiences for my children back then, I would have been relieved a lot of chronic stress. This respite of stress would benefit children as well as well as caregivers.
Knowing my kids were in a safe place would have allowed time for me to manage other domestic tasks and medical appointments. Grieving makes successful multi-tasking nearly impossible, so doing things like preparing a healthy meal becomes a multi-step conundrum rather than something you whip up after work. The initial grief support we received was very helpful, but my family needed something more.
Navigating through day to day is very hard when experiencing complex stress. Processing our loss and the other subsequent life changes (separation that ended in divorce as well as having to make the difficult realization that we had to leave our family home and change schools) caused considerable difficulty with concentration and focus for work and school. It is scientifically proven that a child can't learn and retain what is presented to them at school when they are preoccupied with stressors. For example, if a child is constantly in a state of hypervigilance- math facts and vocabulary just will not stick.
This makes me ask, "How many brilliant children are out there that have low self-esteem because of poor grades? How many future Leonardo daVinci's are right in our community whose thoughts are fogged with worry from carrying the burdens that no child should ever have to endure?"
DaVinci's Brain is also a proud member of AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) and the MAA (Michigan AfterSchool Association) to stay current on relevant state educational topics. I have been selected to speak at the Michigan Department of Education and Michigan AfterSchool Association for their Fall Summit. My topic is OT's Role in AfterSchool Programs: Engaging at Risk Youth to Build Self Efficacy.
I am aware and can see that my family is not completely unique, since many experience great loss, chronic illness, and daily obstacles. I've had many parents talk to me about their children having anxiety and fear interfering with school success. Some children experience sensory processing issues, which can be a standalone disorder or paired with PTSD, ADHD, or Autism. These are areas Occupational Therapy can address. I would like to be able to help fill the need for support and resources in our community for these children.
I will combine my personal experience and my skills as an Occupational Therapist to create a place with programs to provide emotional and academic support in a safe and engaging environment. A child experiencing one stressor such as their parents’ separation or need for social skill development to fit in is enough to indicate a need for some short term support and stress free engagement. 
2014 Pilot Program for small group project based - Social & Emotional learning group. 
Our technology insights give us an opportunity to work closely with schools and educators - the place and people that spend the most time with our children.
We use creative space with 3D-printer technology, photography, videography, and SoMe (Social Media) marketing as engagement tools. We are a qualified MakerBot and littleBits partner, which gives us an unique advantage to keeping current with developing technology. We can stay on top of cutting edge products and learn new ways to use them for exciting and relevant learning. We will keep current with ideas on how to combine core curriculum with project based 3D-Printing. This is a reinforcement for what is taught in school as well as a creative outlet as a child learns entry level job skills, which works to build their self-esteem. Working with local classrooms and being an adjunct support for them will allow for seamless integration for the increasing need for emotional management and self-regulation to cope with today's world.
I am happy to say that we have also partnered with Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, and Saginaw Valley University for OT Master's level fieldwork students. I am a certified Fieldwork Educator. They will assist me and my staff in running programs here and outreach settings, classrooms, after school programs, and homeless shelters.
I have thought out a clear sustainable program with multiple revenue streams both service and retail, but need your help for seed money to me to the next level in order to achieve the required work in order to implement with fieldwork program.
I am asking for $10,000 so we can purchase:
- Four months of rent and office supplies
- Business, liability and malpractice insurance for 1 year
- Professional accounting services
- EMR (Electronic Medical Record) documentation system
- Insurance credentialing for future billing for sustainable practices
- OT Evaluation Standardized Assessment
- Official website launch (which has been built but needs financed before launching)
I am confident that this program is going to launch and will be a giant success! I would love for you to be a founding contributor to such a wonderful opportunity to make a difference for Monroe's youth, who act as our future decision makers and workers.
Thank you from me, my family, and Monroe youth group for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Valerie Kiley, OTR