SPOKANE, Wash. – Since the 1960’s Joya has been helping children thrive. They continue to grow and be a resource for more and more families. Last year alone, they served 509 infants and toddlers, up from 352 from the prior year.
The impact their staff and volunteers have on families goes far beyond infancy to age three. Many Joya kids return to give back and volunteer. Lane Mathews is one of them.
“I go to Freeman High School,” Mathews said. “I’m a junior. I am the ASB president, yearbook editor.”
Lane is a friend to everyone, a talented photographer, and just started playing golf. But he is arguably best known as someone who is an inspiration to all he meets.
Lane was born with a brain disorder and is blind in his left eye. He’s faced health battles his entire life, but never alone.
“I came specifically for some vision stuff but also my balance,” he said of his baby and toddler years at Joya. “My muscle strength wasn’t the best, when I did things, it would be a fun activity in a swing, or a maze and learning to crawl to help build up my strength for balance and coordination.”
He was no more than three-years-old then and doesn’t remember specifics. But what he does forever recall is how their staff always made him feel strong, supported and happy.
“It’s really important and touching,” he said of Joya’s work.
And that’s why he volunteers with them as a high school student. Lane goes with Joya to local schools for presentations and he gives his time at their fundraisers.
“Everything is fun and that’s what is so important about Joya,” Lane said. “Regardless of a family’s ability to pay, they are here helping these kids and doing it in a way that is fun for them. They like to be here.”
Even years later.
“Joya is really special to me,” he said.
Lane is one of so many kids who have benefited from Joya. You can help their work continue by calling in donations during our connect center on KHQ this Saturday starting at 7 a.m. If you can’t wait until Saturday to donate, you can do so right now here.
