A cause I care about needs help

We need your help!

Helping Hand Developmental Center (HH) is a one of a kind developmental preschool for special needs children and their typical peers.  Helping Hand provides an inclusive setting for all children to learn with an emphasis on serving children with disabilities.  We provide speech, occupational & physical therapies as well as specialized instruction for 2-5 year old children in need.  HH serves children with Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, visual, hearing & speech impairments as well as others.  We serve children that others can’t!

HH has been in existence for 51+ years here in Henderson County.  Started as a volunteer group providing respite for parents of disabled children, it quickly grew to a 5 star licensed Developmental Preschool serving over 72 kids annually.  Over the years thousands of children have passed through our doors.

Last year we lost our home of 20 years at Blue Ridge Community College due to expansion of their programs.  Henderson County Schools stepped up and offered us a temporary home at Clear Creek and Edneyville Elementary schools.  They too are planning state mandated expansion of their classes forcing us to once again seek a new home. 

We have found an excellent opportunity in a long term lease at a great location.  This center would provide 5500 sq. feet of space to include: 4 classrooms (18 children each), 3 dedicated therapy spaces, office space and shared meeting room.

Unfortunately the building does not meet NC day care requirements and requires renovations and a playground.  Community volunteers are already committed to this project!

All we need now is the funding!  This is where we need your help!  We have met with 6 licensed contractors and begun the bidding process.  The first proposal has come in and we need $360.000.  We are feverishly writing grants and fundraising but we still need $200,000. 

Can you HELP?  Will you HELP?  Imagine if your child, relative or friend had a child that needed to learn to communicate using assistive devices, was unable to say a word or put two words together in a sentence, can’t walk without assistance, can’t feed themselves, can't communicate their wants or needs without using sign language, can't ride a bike, can't skip or jump.  Where would you turn for help?  Please consider donating today,  and sharing this page. 

Without this facility our future is grim.  We will soon be homeless and hopeless, closing our doors forever.  We are the only Developmental Day Center in Henderson County and the only one to provide this service. 

Please give what you can.  No donation is too small and you will be making a difference in a child’s life for many years to come!

For more information our website is HH4Kids.org.



Don’t just take my word for it, here is what our parents are saying:

"Nico, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD in December of 2016. He was 2 and a half years old. We tried to prepare ourselves, but hearing the words was devastating. My husband and I held each other and cried. The anxiety and heartache was overwhelming, at first. However, we refused to wallow and quickly set to work finding the best possible resources for our child.

After a year and a half of Speech and Occupational therapy, Nico was referred to Helping Hand Developmental Center. I have to admit I was nervous at first. The idea of entrusting my non-verbal, autistic child with strangers was scary. But, the minute I walked into the classroom and met Lynn, Pam and Monica my mind was set at ease. It was obvious these were loving, caring, committed women. They are exceptional with Nico and the other children.

He receives speech and occupational therapy at school, which is so important to his development. Most of all he is with his peers. HHDC doesn’t just provide care for children with special needs. The classroom is a mix of typically developing and atypical children, giving Nico much needed exposure and experience with children of all abilities. I cannot put into words what Helping Hand has meant to our family. Nico, is thriving and knowing he’s in a safe loving environment means the world to us. Please
support this truly wonderful program. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts"


“Helping Hand is such a wonderful place for any child, whether they have a disability or not. For those who do not have a disability they learn how to accept those who do, and it exposes them to the wide range of diversity found in today's education. And for those that do, like my daughter, it helps teach them what they need and gives them a sense of belonging.” Tabatha – Parent


“My son Aiden is at the Helping Hands at Clear Creek Elementary and since he has been there he is talking and doing all kinds of wonderful things that he wasn't doing before I love his teachers and students and Aiden loves getting up every morning to go to the school” Kristy – Parent


“All three of my Grandchildren went to Helping Hands starting with my premie grandson. He is now almost 20 and goes to Blue Ridge Community College. Without Helping Hands he never would have progressed as he did. His brother and sister followed him. I would never have sent them anywhere else. Other than the staff being the best, the most important fact was I never worried about them when they were in the care of Helping Hands. My new Granddaughter will be going there in 2 more years.” Jan – Grandparent


“Both my children have completely THRIVED at Helping Hand Developmental Center! The teachers and therapists are wonderful and have provided incredible care and guidance for both my son and daughter. We feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful school in our community.” Amy – Parent


“We were so blessed to have Helping Hands...My boys have learned so much from the teacher and staff...The best childcare I have seen..” Dawn – Parent