Founded in 1982, the imPossible Dream Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to making dreams come true for children with chronic illnesses in Rhode Island. Over the past 24 years, the imPossible Dream has made over 500 dreams come true. In 2006 alone, 27 dreams came true, at a cost of over $70,000.
Some dreams are fun and special occasions such as a family vacation to Disney World, a grand birthday party, meeting a celebrity, or becoming “policeman for a day.” Other dreams arise out of necessity such as wheelchairs and lifts, a spa for therapy, specially-designed recreational toys, a computer equipped with important technologies, or other adaptations to make a child's environment more functional. Everyone at the imPossible Dream believes that no matter how it comes to be, a dream should not be impossible for a child who is already limited by a physical or emotional barrier.
In 1990, through the generous support of donors, the imPossible Dream opened a fully accessible playground and recreational facility, where children of all abilities can play together.
The playground is filled with swings, see-saws, sandboxes, playhouses, a miniature golf course. What was, at one time, an operable train and station has recently been transformed into a sensory playroom for children with autism. This season the imPossible Dream hosted 33 field trips for area schools and other organizations. Shows such as Adoption Rhode Island and NBC 10's Tuesday's Child have filmed segments at the playground.
The park's recreational facility is often rented to a variety of organizations and social groups. Last year, the facility was home to the Warwick Montessori Castle. Until recently, twenty students attended school at the Montessori Castle.
Not long ago, families arrived at the castle to find that the school was gone. Coordinators had disappeared. They had taken all of the school's materials and left the imPossible Dream with a heavy burden, not only to console families who attended the school, but also the children who's dreams rested on the financial support it provided.
Despite these obstacles, the imPossible Dream has had an incredible impact on the physical, emotional, and educational needs of children in Rhode Island. The imPossible Dream plans to further this mission by building a fully accessible fitness center for children and adults of all abilities on their existing site. When asked about the inspiration for this project, director Diane Penza poses one simple question:
Where do children go when they outgrow the playground?
Famous Friends strives to raise 100% of the funds needed to build and maintain the facility through the innovation of celebrity internet auctions.
site design by Allyson DuPont
