How It All Started...

When Eli entered our family, we were in love, instantly. And as he grew that love grew too. And so did our community. When Eli started at the Experimental Education Unit, an inclusive preschool, our family was transformed. We met a whole new community of people and saw a whole new world where all people are loved and respected exactly as they are.

Eli knew he was loved. And he flourished. Confidently waving, smiling (sometimes running) into every office on his way to class, building strong friendships with classmates, even making his way into big brother’s class and finding himself a space in the circle. He loved school. He loved his teachers, his therapists, the chef, the principal, the nurse…you get it…everyone. And he carried this love everywhere he went and shared it openly with everyone he met.

And, many people saw and were ready to receive Eli’s gift of love. Our favorite grocery store clerk always accepted Eli’s post-free-produce, sticky hugs over the register. All of his therapists quickly learned to say, “I love you too, Eli, we’re still finishing…” (insert whatever task Eli was trying to charm his way out of). He stopped strangers on the Burke-Gilman Trail with his exuberant waving and whole-body smile. He had a special gift for making all people feel loved.

During physical therapy sessions, Shawn and I would often talk about ways to prepare Eli for the world. And when he stubbornly refused to walk up one more stair or do one more ninja kick, we would sneak in some conversations about how to prepare the world for Eli. Because not everyone was ready to see or receive the love Eli had to give. Once you’ve gotten to know and fallen in love with someone like Eli, you know that as much as they need and deserve better access to the world, the world absolutely needs and deserves better access to them too.

So, if I’m totally honest, while Eli’s unconditional love was the inspiration for this project, there was a part of this whole thing inspired by uncertainty too. I worried a lot about what life would be like for Eli, how he would be treated and whether or not the world was capable of loving him as much as I did.

This project has been filled and fueled with love, and, there have been lots of moments of uncertainty too.

The first time we talked to Seattle Parks and Recreation about our idea for a park for all, they said it sounded great to them, but we needed to show we had our community’s backing.

Because of you…we gathered all the surveys, stories and support we needed to get started.

Then we lost Eli and our whole world fell apart.

Because of you…we were lifted with Eli-strength love which allowed us to continue to follow the path he laid out for us.

We’ve needed feedback, donations, time and connections. You’ve given it all and more.

Because of you…we are still here. We are over halfway to our $4 million dollar goal. We’ve logged over 2,500 volunteer hours! We have a beautiful concept plan being developed. We have gotten to know and love so many new friends in our community.

Even though everything feels so very uncertain right now, I can say with certainty, this park is still happening. We don’t know exactly when, or how. But, we do know, it will happen. Because of you.

Inclusion Matters: Now More Than Ever

In this time of isolation, here are some thoughts on inclusion from our team and partners.

While we’re all seeing less of each other physically, I think we’re getting a better view into the hearts and souls of each other. We’re seeing and accepting people for who we really are, which is helping us become a more inclusive community.

Of course, we can’t predict all the outcomes of this pandemic. We know there will be a lot of struggle and can be sure the impacts will not be equitable. Still, what I see people doing right now, gives me hope.

I’ve seen school principals hand delivering lunches to ensure their community has access to food. I receive a daily social emotional moment from our school counselor every morning with reminders and reassurance that we can do this. I see community members rallying around small businesses and small businesses supporting each other. I see neighbors checking on each other, people writing letters, giving blood, sewing masks and doing their best to get some work done while also teaching – or at least loving – their kids.

We’re including each other by making sure people feel cared about, a sense of belonging and membership. We’re including each other by trying to help everyone get access to what they need. We’re including each other by finding creative ways to participate in community.

We’ll continue to share our videos. Not because we aren’t taking this moment in time seriously, but because we know it will end. And when it does, we’ll need community, inclusion and a place where we can all come together more than ever. Let’s carry this love forward.

Be well. Holding you all close…from a distance.

Brews for Inclusion

It’s that time of year again. Daffodils are blooming, clouds are making way for sunshine and brewers at Ravenna Brewing are dreaming up a new recipe for this year’s Inclusion IPA.

Save the dates for our third annual Ravenna Brewing fundraising event. From March 22-29th, our friends at Ravenna Brewing will, once again, donate $1 from every pint of Inclusion IPA!

Plan a happy hour, meet up with friends or stop in anytime, all week, to drink beer for The Eli's Park Project.

Our design team will be there from 12-7 on Sunday the 29th ready to share our most current design plans and get your feedback.

Be sure to check the online calendar for the week’s food truck line-up.