The College for Living Capital Campaign

From Dependence to Possibility

Imagine your childhood bedroom.
The color of the bedspread, the worn spot on the carpet, the little details that made it yours.

Now imagine still living there today—at your current age—because no one ever believed you could leave. No one ever expected you to build a life on your own, get a job, or have a place that truly felt like home.

For many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), this is reality. The systems meant to support them—public education, Medicaid, and social services—fade after age 21, leaving a gap between childhood dependency and a future of independence.

Bridging the Gap

At Day Spring, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling, self-directed life. Our College for Living program provides young adults with IDD the tools, experiences, and support to move from dependence to possibility—to become confident residents, employees, and citizens contributing meaningfully to their community.

This isn’t just charity—it’s impact investing. Every dollar you give builds pathways to independence, transforms lives, and strengthens our community for generations to come.

How Does It Work?

Just like their peers in traditional college settings, young adults with IDD are eager to take that next step toward adulthood. But when high school ends, most lose the structure, mentorship, and social opportunities they once had.

College for Living changes that.

Our students either live on campus in suite-style dorms or commute from home to attend classes five days a week. With 24/7 on-site support and personalized instruction, each student learns essential life skills such as money management, nutrition, and communication—alongside gaining work experience and developing a strong peer network.

This low-risk, high-impact model offers a sustainable alternative to the state-funded waiver system. Students receive the individualized support they need, while families gain peace of mind knowing their loved one is progressing toward self-sufficiency.

The outcomes speak for themselves:

  • 100% of students secure employment or volunteer placements while enrolled
  • 100% of families report reduced caregiving burdens
  • 100% of graduates move into independent living after completing the program

College for Living is proof that with the right environment, instruction, and community, adults with IDD can achieve their own version of independence.

OUR GENEROUS DONORS!

  • The FourEvergreen Foundation
  • The Graehler Family Fund
  • George and Mary Lee Duthie Charitable Foundation, Inc.
  • The Gheens Foundation

Invest in Independence

Your support ensures that more young adults can access this transformative path to independence. There are three key ways to make an impact:

1. Give to Our Capital Campaign

Help us expand our campus and open doors for more students.

We are currently remodeling and expanding our College for Living campus to serve nearly three times as many students as before. The new space will include updated dorms, an accessible instructional kitchen, a computer lab, and an edible garden—all designed to enhance learning, safety, and community connection.

Your investment directly funds this expansion:

  • $1,000 furnishes a classroom
  • $5,000 updates a student dorm
  • $50,000 transforms our outdoor space into a learning garden

Every contribution builds a space where young adults with IDD can live, learn, and grow toward independence.

2. Support Our Scholarship Fund

Not every family can afford the full cost of tuition, which is $29,000 per year—comparable to traditional college programs. Our scholarship fund ensures that financial barriers never stand in the way of opportunity.

Your gift to the scholarship fund makes it possible for every student, regardless of economic background, to pursue their dream of independence. Each scholarship provides essential support for tuition, housing, and individualized instruction—opening the door to a future filled with purpose and possibility.

  • $2,415 provides one month of scholarship support
  • $4,830 covers two months of tuition and programming

When you give to our scholarship fund, you’re not just helping a student attend college—you’re investing in their lifelong independence and dignity. Your generosity creates ripple effects that extend to their families, workplaces, and the broader community.

3. Sustain Our Daily Success

Keep the College for Living thriving every day.

Beyond construction and scholarships, general operational support keeps our program strong and sustainable. These funds ensure our students have access to transportation, classroom supplies, adaptive learning technology, and staff mentorship that drives daily success.

When you give to our general supports, you’re fueling the ongoing growth of a proven model for independence—one that turns dependency into possibility every single day.