Seen. Known. Loved.
THE BEGINNING…
Our Story
What began as a blog by our founder, Hadley Stephens, at 18-years-old exploring the intersection of disability and faith soon became something much bigger. Through writing and reflection, a passion grew for people with disabilities—but it was a chance meeting that sparked real change. Connecting with a woman with Down syndrome and witnessing firsthand the isolation so many face revealed a deep need: spaces where people with disabilities are seen, known, and loved. From that realization, our nonprofit was born—committed to building programs that foster community, connection, and purpose for people of all abilities.
START HERE
Who We Are
Meet the team that is Rolling in Faith…
Holland House
Creating a safe space for adults…
Volunteer
Prepare to be blessed…
SEEN: Stories of Impact
Seen: Stories of Impact
We were making a move from Western Washington to Paducah KY March of 2023. While we were excited to star our new chapter in life, we were also focused on finding some activities for our daughter, Dani. Through that process we were introduced to what it is that makes this area so remarkable – its people. Through some research we learned about and contacted Holly with the Down Syndrome Association of Western KY once we arrived at our new home. She invited Dani to an Easter Egg hunt at the Zion Evangelical Church in Metropolis and through that event we were introduced to Rolling in Faith and Hadley Stephens. She described the summer skills program for that summer, and it sounded like something to explore. Dani was hooked! She had the best time our first summer and we were all on board to start the Holland House program in August 2023. Holland House wasn’t just a place to drop off your child for a few hours a day, but instead were activities centered around creating opportunities for the participants. Dani enjoyscontinuing education, bible studies, field trips, outdoor activities, crafts, life skills, cooking day, celebrations of holiday, Christmas caroling, and the list goes on. Every day is planned to promote the goals of letting Dani and her new friends be Seen, Known and Loved. To be so successful at this requires a lot of work and dedication, and Hadley has assembled a team that think outside the box for our young adults, to make them feel loved and a part of the community, and to challenge them to step a bit outside their comfort level. Dani has improved so much in her communications, reading and writing. She has a smile on her face every day and can’t wait for the next day. God is Good!! And He is present at Holland House, using Hadley and her team (we call them angels) to focus on and celebrate with His children. Giving all those that get the chance to see them an equal opportunity to get to know them. And from that, we all come to love them. We thank God that he gave us Hadley in this corner of the world, and we thank Hadley for giving us Holland House.
Seen: Stories of Impact
I learned about Holland House from a close friend of mine that lives in the same area, I began to follow them on Facebook just to learn a little more about them. I saw all the different activities they do either at their location or field trips they take and I
decided we should give it a try. In the beginning, I was a little hesitant about Hannah attending because she would be one of the younger participants, and she hasn’t participated in a program like that before. I could see very quickly how she was accepted and loved, and knew she would thrive there. She enjoyed time at Holland House this summer [as a Summer Skills participant.] Playing Candy-Land and making crafts some of her favorite [activities].
She also enjoyed the field trips (especially Chick Fil A) for lunch and the swimming party. Holland house has been such a blessing to our family this summer – we have noticed a difference in Hannah after she spent time with the amazing volunteers and other participants. She has been more vocal conversational with us and freely gives hugs now. It seems like it is easier to her to express her feelings and emotions as well. She has already ask if she can go back there again next summer – we can’t wait !!
Seen: Stories of Impact
Our son Bryce is 16 years old and Autistic. Although I would consider him to be social in most circumstances, he was hesitant to attend Summer Skills with Holland House. He was nervous to try something new during his Summer Break from High School. After the first day that obstacle was out of the way, his anxiety was completely gone. Bryce was all smiles and excited to return the next day.
It would be challenging if I had to share his favorite Summer Skills activity. Since he loves them all it changes from one day to the next. However, there are two that stand out in our conversations. He enjoys the Faith based lessons on Chapel days and working at VBS with a local church. He proudly told anyone who would listen, that he helped take care of the 4-year-old class. Although he would be the first to tell you they were loud and wild, he hopes to be assigned this same job next year.
As a mom of a Special Needs Teen, there are some goals that never change. I want him to be safe, included, feel needed and loved. These are met at Holland House. In addition, Bryce loves routine and schedules. The program is well planned, organized and a schedule is given ahead of time so that you can be prepared or prepare your participant should you have that need. This works great for my son who always needs to know what is going on or “what is next”.
Bryce has already asked if he could attend next Summer as well as other affiliated activities. My answer is yes! We are so Blessed to be a small part of Holland House and cannot wait to see what God has in store for the participants and staff.
Seen: Stories of Impact
This month’s ‘SEEN’ story is a special one as we hear from the perspective of a longtime volunteer, bus driver, and grandmother to multiple grandchildren who are experiencing disability. Karen Bunch, better known as, Nana to many affiliated with Rolling in Faith is sharing her Holland House story this month. Karen has been interwoven into the lives of many of our participants for years. Karen has volunteered roughly 266 hours at Holland House this year serving on campus, driving our new bus, and providing comedic relief to us all. We are so thankful for all our volunteers and hope you enjoy this special testimonial.
“I am a volunteer for Rolling in Faith and work with some very special people at Holland House. Hopefully, Holland. House is a common name but if not, it is a day program for adults with disabilities that was founded by the granddaughter, Hadley Stephens. I was with her on the day she realized this was the direction God was pointing her.
A lot has been accomplished in the few years that we have all been together. The participants tell us daily how happy they are to be involved and form friendships that otherwise wouldn’t not have happened. Everyone has heard of the saying, ““It takes a village”, well, it really does. Without the volunteers, donors, and especially the parents none of this would be possible.
We continue to grow in our attendance and in volunteers. We are so excited to see what God has for us next. Just a few thoughts from a very blessed and grateful ‘Nana’.”
—KAREN BUNCH, AKA
‘NANA’
Seen: Stories of Impact
My name is Drew Russell, I am twenty-one and I am a participant of Rolling in Faith. My favorite thing about Holland House is doing Bible Study and Gather Round curriculum. This year, I want to see us do more chapel services dig deeper in the Bible.
I am the Holland House Ambassador for the Rolling in Faith board, where I give ideas about what is going good and what could be different. I like to write prayers for the people I love and am going to write a special prayer for the guests at our annual fundraiser.
-DREW RUSSELL
Seen: Stories of Impact
Recently I was ask the question “How have the Holland House/RIF participants changed you?” Anyone who has spent time with me lately will know that I ALWAYS have something to share about my friends
at Holland House. I can’t seem to not talk about my experiences on Tuesday afternoons. I knew in early September 2024 that I must be involved (how this story came to be is one for another day). It happened quickly and I was put on the schedule after all necessary paperwork was complete. Hadley did not waste a second finding me a day to volunteer. I will be honest though…. I was NERVOUS (excited yes but also nervous!) Very Nervous. What if the participants did not like me? What if I do not relate with everyone? As I stepped into the doors of Holland House on that September afternoon, my fears were immediately replaced with awe and amazement. I knew several participants already. Those I knew called me by name and welcomed me (some with a hug!) There were more that I did not know than those I did. Everyone was very inquisitive. I knew who almost everyone was either through my church or where I work, but they really did not know me. After a month or two I began to get “big hello’s” and more hugs. And, I was called by my name when I came in!!! My heart was so full. I knew if they were receiving me into their community that I was genuinely
accepted. EVERYONE needs acceptance.
Even the 55 year old “new” volunteer that walked through Holland House doors in September 2024. The participants did not “have” to accept me into their world, but they 100% have and I will FOREVER be thankful for the love they showed me that first day and every day since. So to my Holland House friends I say “Thank You” for just being you and loving me!!
-LESLIE LAWSON
Seen: Stories of Impact
Throughout the issues of this newsletter I have never wanted to be the one to be featured. Since its inception, it has felt like Rolling in Faith and Hadley Stephens are synonymous, and truthfully it felt like that to me for a long time too. I was only
Rollin in Faith, and I began to fear that by starting this journey I might lose myself in the process. So, I took a step back and began to let others take the lead, all the while still being at the helm but finding myself again. This time has allowed me to come to understand some things that I hope are applicable in your life too.
1. Your life is God’s— The creator of the universe, God, decided to create man and say, “…it is very good”. We inherently aren’t very good but as Christians, God, sees us through a lense of forgiveness & pure love. Truly, this is the lense I see my Rolling in Faith friends through. We have good days, and bad. We laugh and we cry and it is very very good. Because, we are doing it together. Together in a life that God has given each of us For some of us, disability is part of our story by circumstance and not choice. People living with disability, families, etc. However, some see disability and instead of turning away they come towards. That brings me to my second point.
2.We were meant for community with each other. Stats show that people impacted by disability struggle with higher rates of loneliness and isolation, especially adults with I/DD. When I was 19 years old, God convicted me of this and laid on my heart those in my Metropolis community who would be considered in these stats. I remember being 19 in a church camp bathroom crying for these people that I didn’t really know but wanted to help. Then, I met them and they transformed my world.
In 2019 we started our first summer program for teens and adults. Sarah, Seth, Landon, Drew, Billy, Jaclyn, & Nolan, & countless volunteers. People who I felt responsible for and didn’t want to let down. Let’s all be real….I had no idea what I was doing! We piled into cars and drove around town, went on trips, cooked food, and all the sudden a little community took shape. Now, six years later seven participants have turned into many more and we now pile into a bus and not my mom’s van, and it’s very very good.
I have seen people who have come to friendships with our participants through Holland House and I am amazed to see all that God has done. Genuine, honest friendships. What I thought was going to be a volunteer opportunity had morphed into a community of co-laborers who are passionate about living life together.
I am so proud of the work and impact of Rolling in Faith and now see the gift that God has given me in being a part of this amazing community. Our friends have so much to teach the world about faith, kindness, and love if we would just be more open to hearing it. So, this is my Rolling in Faith story. Rolling in Faith started as a blog by Hadley Stephens, discussing the importance of Faith communities being a place of belonging for people with disabilities. She wrote this when her heart was very hard about the role of disability in her life. Then, like Paul she was able to see. See the value, friendship, and importance of people with disabilities. God was kind enough to give her people who saw this vision as well and the rest is history. Rolling in Faith has transformed my life, faith, and soul and I am proud to be a part of it.
-Hadley
Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland
Seen: Stories of Impact
I am writing to share what the Rolling in Faith Family means to me and my family and the profound impact it has in our lives.
Our son Tanner has Down Syndrome. As he transitioned from high school to adulthood, we were faced with uncertainty about how he would continue to grow, connect with others, and find a meaningful place in the world. Thankfully, Rolling in Faith and Holland House has not only filled this gap, but it has become a cornerstone of his life and ours.
Through this program, Tanner has gained a sense of purpose, structure, and belonging. Each day is filled with learning opportunities, social interactions, and supportive guidance from individuals who truly understand and care. We’ve seen his confidence grow, his independence improve, and his vocabulary has increased. He has an amazing group of friends that he talks about all the time. I asked Tanner the other day what his favorite thing about Holland House was, and he said it was all his friends and that he did fun stuff. This program goes beyond just providing services — it has truly built a family. Seeing the interactions between the participants and the staff is very heartwarming. I cannot imagine a better place for him to grow and learn.
For us as a family, the program offers peace of mind. We know that Tanner is in a safe, nurturing environment where he is respected, understood, and valued.
The Rolling in Faith Family has been a blessing to our family. We are deeply grateful for the opportunities this program provides, and we strongly advocate for their continued support.
Thank you for taking the time to understand what this program truly means to families like ours.
-Julie Wilke
rolling forward together
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