The Greene-McIlwaine Foundation
We are a Non-Profit Organization that provides needed care consulting to families that have children or family members with newly diagnosed or existing diagnosis of special needs. We assist with navigating their communities of health care, educational, recreational/community activities/systems to develop active engagement in the services that are needed. The support can be immensely beneficial due to the guidance and support that is needed to navigate the complexities of and within the systems of overall care. The health care system includes medical, dental, specialty health care services such as mental health, IDD, and other services. The educational system includes engaging, interacting, and advocating with and for parents/caregivers, school staff regarding IEP’s, 504 plans and ongoing services/meetings to further address educational and/or career development. The recreational/community living activities include life-long community integration skills for a long and health lifestyle with as much relevant independence as possible. Additionally, the foundation has supportive counseling, support groups, social skills training and other different types of therapies and supports that are exclusively for participants and families.
We have also developed a second Initiative where we will provide support to young mothers between the age of 12 to 21 while they are pregnant and up to 5 years after giving birth. This is our Young Sister Circle. Our supportive programming will include, but are not limited to referrals and linkage to services, support groups, counseling, advocacy, educational workshops, life skill and planning, family support services and any additional services that are needed. We would also like to continue developing elements of the program to support personal and professional goals such as working skills, job preparation, volunteer in other community programs, preparation for college, business opportunities and scholarship programs.
Our third Initiative is focused on the Arts with DrDreamDancer Studios! We want to promote health, education, fitness and wellness to our next generation and adults. We are providing art and dance therapy classes to individuals wanting to increase their movement, creativity, fitness, meditation, healthy living & nutrition intake and increasing the healthiest mental health status possible. We will continue to develop additional elements of this program to promote overall well-being.
Dr. McIlwaine is the parent of two sons with special needs. She has learned to navigate the complex systems to assist her sons through their medical/health issues, educational obtainment, and their ability to live a purposeful lifestyle that both inspire to live. Dr. McIlwaine gave birth to Tremayne as a 15 year old teenager. She had the support of her family with limited resources. Dr. McIlwaine committed to her education and complete high school one year early. She went on to college to help support her family. Dr. McIlwaine completed college and had Michael with her then husband. When she learned of Michael's diagnosis, she committed to more education and completed more schooling to help support her family as a single parent with two sons with special needs. She learned to navigate the systems on her own through her working experiences and educational background.
Tremayne lives with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. He was premature, born at 26 weeks and his birth weight of 1260 grams, approximately 2.777825 lbs. The prognosis was bleak and the doctors thought he would be a vegetable. They also thought he would live to see 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and finally 15 years of age. Little did they know, Tremayne was a fighter and he had a praying Grandmother, Sarah Greene and Great-Grandmother, Alice McCray. Tremayne went on to overcome all the odds. He continues to be ambulatory and healthy. He finished high school with regular education with an IEP and completed some college courses. Tremayne continues to live a full and purposeful life assisting his mother as an employee in her private practice. At one point, Tremayne was studying to become a Substance Abuse Counselor and was conducting groups. Now, he has committed to continue to work in community outreach services to help assist families learn to navigate the systems to obtain services to help individuals with special needs.
Michael Jr. lives with a diagnosis of Mild Autism and Intellectual Developmental Disorder. He had very little delays as baby except in the verbal language area. Michael hit every milestone even walking at 10 months. He was a happy, optimistic child. He was very active in sports since age 3, playing soccer, basketball and swimming. Michael went on in mainstream classroom settings and special education with an IEP. He continued his activities by joining the Boy Scouts, running track and playing football three years of high school. He was extremely dedicated to his football career that he earned one of the highest athletic awards at his high school. Michael graduated high school early with a diploma that will allow him to attend any college or university just like his older brother, Tremayne. He continues to love sports and attends NFL, NBA, and MLB games yearly. He will continue to work in his mother's private practice and has committed to community outreach services to help assist others with navigating the system to obtain services.
In April, June, September 2024, we will have the Charitable Society Events of the Year! The Greene-McIlwaine Fou. Presents High Tea Sponsored by Insightful Options and DrLatasha McIlwaine. We have developed the High Tea Charitable Society Events that will occur each month and this event will be a pure charitable networking event for societies who's who in the community for a moment to mingle and give back for great causes.
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