01 Jan 2023 Soaring Wings to add Welcome, Learning and Counseling Center

A substantial donation dedicated to the construction of a Welcome, Learning and Counseling Center (WLCC) at Soaring Wings was recently received.

A gift of ^$250,000 from the estate of the late Earl Noble has been made by his sister, Norma Roady. Noble’s will specified that some of his wealth be used to benefit children. While looking for causes worthy of his request, Noble met with Andrew Watson, executive director of Soaring Wings, in November 2020.

“Ms. Norma selected Soaring Wings because it is private and works directly with families toward reunification,” Watson said. “She also appreciates that Soaring Wings does not rely on government funding and has a debt-free business model. Ms. Norma believes that her brother would have supported Soaring Wings during his lifetime.”

The Welcome Center portion of the building will be named The Earl Noble Welcome Center in honor of the gift given in his memory. To date, more than ^$430,000 has been raised of the ^$1.5 million needed to construct the WLCC.

The WLCC has been in the planning for years. Shortly after fundraising started, the project was put on hold to expand and rearrange the floor plan. “Soaring Wings added a home for infants and toddlers, so we needed to add a preschool to the Learning Center,” Watson said. “Since we work directly with the parents and guardians of the children we serve, and not through the Division of Children and Family Services, we decided to add increased space for social workers and counselors, as well as interns from area universities.”

The floor plan expansion also includes more meeting space and a pavilion. Watson, the staff and the board of directors have worked with Rik Sowell Architects to change and improve the plans. When completed, the WLCC will be the hub of the 195-acre campus and the first building visitors will see as they enter.