Save We Rock the Spectrum Gym - Federal Way, WA!

Hi, my name is Bard, and this is my son, Max. We are raising money to save Max's favorite place, the We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym ("WRTS") in Federal Way, WA.

We Rock the Spectrum gym has been an absolute lifesaver for our family over the last year, as it has been for hundreds of other children and adults with special needs and their families in the Puget Sound region. WRTS is full of equipment and environments specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders, like Max, though it is exciting and fun for children of all abilities and also has programs to support, provide respite care, and train adults with disabilities. WRTS was the only place we could take Max this past summer when he needed to leave two separate day camps due to his behavioral issues. Max loves swinging on the hanging saucer swings, climbing the pirate ship and climbing wall, jumping on the trampoline, taking some runs down the zip line into the foam pit, playing video games and toys, and then resting in the quiet room.

WRTS is locally owned by Colin Hirsch, a former Federal Way School District special education teacher, and began serving the community in November 2018. They stayed open during the Covid lockdowns to care for the children of first responders and other essential workers, serving the community well, but resulting in a $108,000 deferred rent bill coming due when their lease is up at the end of November. While WRTS has been paying full rent since they could fully reopen in September 2021 and have been trying to work with their landlord to pay off the bill over their next five-year lease, nothing has been resolved yet. WRTS has applied for grants to make up the difference, but nothing has come through. They don't know if they will be able to keep operating after November, which would be a tragedy for the families who have come to depend on WRTS' safe, welcoming environment for their children.

Please join us and donate to help pay We Rock the Spectrum gym's Covid rent bill, ensuring that Colin and the caring staff can continue serving children and families who need it so much!

The funds raised will go directly to paying WRTS's rent bill in their current location or establishing a new location if that is unsuccessful. If we raise more funds than are needed, they will go toward scholarships for families who need assistance paying even the low fees that WRTS charges (currently $18/hr for up to three hours of drop-off respite care).