SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC

SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC For more info go to www.sparcsolutions.org. You can also visit our cause page - Support SPARC:http://www.causes.com/causes/505567?m=0d43bb06

The best club in Northern Virginia supporting adults with life long disAbilities. We meet Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at Southgate Community Center in Reston, VA and Monday, Wednesday and Friday at OFTC in McLean, VA. Our day is filled with laughter, learning, and life!

🎬⭐ Lights, Camera, SPARC-tion! ⭐🎭At SPARC ~ McLean, we’re channeling our inner Hollywood stars during our Improv Class—w...
07/25/2025

🎬⭐ Lights, Camera, SPARC-tion! ⭐🎭

At SPARC ~ McLean, we’re channeling our inner Hollywood stars during our Improv Class—with the always-fabulous Murphy leading the way! 🌟 Participants are shining bright as they try out expressive movements and hilarious voices that bring out their one-of-a-kind personalities. From giggles to grand performances, this class is quickly becoming a fan favorite! 🎤💃

One highlight? Our Line Drawing Story game using the interactive Vibe monitor! Each participant added a twisty, curvy, or straight line to create a collaborative story—one stroke at a time. The creativity was off the charts! 🌀🖍️

We also tipped our hats to National Day of the Cowboy 🤠 with festive cowboy hats, a Western-style ring toss (check out Kyle’s magnetic block horse!), and some toe-tapping country tunes. Tammy stole the show singing Independence Day, and H***y Tonk Bingo kept the energy high! 🎵🐴

To wind down, participants chose their own adventure: line dancing with Ryan and Rosey or relaxing in the sensory room with Tommy and Mela. However we ended, it was a day full of connection, joy, and SPARCle! ✨🌈


Old Firehouse Center
Dranesville District - Supervisor Jimmy Bierman

💫 “Sacred work.” That’s how one of our early sponsors described SPARC’s mission—and we couldn’t agree more:“I love the w...
07/25/2025

💫 “Sacred work.” That’s how one of our early sponsors described SPARC’s mission—and we couldn’t agree more:

“I love the work SPARC does. Giving a life to those who really don't have any other prospects. Sacred work, in my opinion!!!”

We’re honored to invite you to be part of that sacred work by sponsoring our Evening to SPARCle: Gratitude Awards Celebration on November 15—an unforgettable evening celebrating community, inclusion, and the people who make it all possible.

🌟 Sponsors who pledge by August 15 will be included in our Save the Date mailing!

Join us in making joy, dignity, and belonging possible for adults with severe and multiple disabilities.

💛 Become a sponsor today https://sparcsolutions.org/evening-to-sparcle/

Today was another joyful and high-energy day at SPARC ~ Leesburg, filled with movement, music, creativity, and connectio...
07/24/2025

Today was another joyful and high-energy day at SPARC ~ Leesburg, filled with movement, music, creativity, and connection. We began our morning with some fun fine motor skill exercises, helping participants warm up their hands and minds for a full day ahead.

Next, the room came alive during Music Therapy with Brandon and Cami from A Place To Be, where singing, dancing, and pure joy took over! We jammed out to favorites by The Lumineers, Bon Jovi, and of course, Taylor Swift which was a top pick for Kristen, who lit up when we all started singing the lyrics. Kim knew nearly every word to the '80s classics, while Mahfoor couldn’t wait to strum the guitar and dance along. Connor kept the rhythm going on the tambourines, smiling from ear to ear. It was a session full of laughter, movement, and musical magic.

For lunch, we gathered around for one of our favorite traditions: family-style dining. Today’s delicious meal featured creamy mac & cheese and rotisserie chicken, giving everyone a chance to eat together, chat, and connect just like family.

The afternoon brought another beloved SPARC activity: Magic Sand Bottles! Participants carefully layered brightly colored sand into bottles, creating vibrant, personalized masterpieces. It was a calm, creative moment that gave everyone the chance to express themselves through color and design.

Every part of today, from the music to the art to the shared meal showed just how much joy, engagement, and meaningful connection happens in our community each day. We are grateful to our supporters for helping us create these unforgettable experiences, where everyone is celebrated, involved, and full of smiles.

Today at SPARC ~ Alexandria, we celebrated Sensory Day with a series of exciting and enriching activities that engaged e...
07/23/2025

Today at SPARC ~ Alexandria, we celebrated Sensory Day with a series of exciting and enriching activities that engaged every participant’s senses while promoting functional skills like fine motor coordination, teamwork, critical thinking, and expressive communication. We kicked off the day with an animal-themed scratch art project, where hidden rainbows were revealed beneath each stroke, fostering creativity and fine motor skills. Then came “Guess That Smell,” where participants explored hidden scents like rose, coffee, and cinnamon—not just naming them, but describing their qualities as fresh, spicy, or floral, encouraging mindful sensory engagement. Next, we crafted our own rain sticks that truly sounded like rainfall! This activity got everyone following multi-step directions and actively using their hands and ears. During our musical scavenger hunt, tables collaborated to match instrument sounds with images, boosting auditory processing, critical thinking, and teamwork. Finally, we explored colorful, textured materials—feathers, pom-poms, felt, and more—and each participant chose one that resonated with them to create a large SPARC mural together. The result was not only visually stunning but also a joyful expression of identity, creativity, and shared experience.

SPARC ~ McLean’s 90s Throwback Bash! Today we hopped in a time machine and zoomed back to the raddest decade ever — the ...
07/23/2025

SPARC ~ McLean’s 90s Throwback Bash!

Today we hopped in a time machine and zoomed back to the raddest decade ever — the 1990s! Our 90s Day celebration was totally tubular, filled with vibrant colors, nostalgic tunes, and creative throwback vibes.

Participants kicked off the fun by tie-dyeing bandanas and socks, channeling their inner 90s fashion icons. From swirls to splashes, their creations were bold, bright, and totally groovy!

Next up: 90-day vision boards – 90s style! Armed with scissors, glue, stickers, and magazines, participants created awesome collages filled with goals, dreams, and things they want to work on or become better at over the next 90 days — all with a splash of 90s inspiration!

Then it was time to sing our hearts out with Finish the 90s Lyrics — and yes, we belted out every word to “If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my FRIENDS!” 🎶 Spice Girls would be proud. And of course, no 90s day is complete without some trivia madness! Questions flew and brains buzzed as we tested our knowledge of 90s pop culture. The crowd favorite? “What was the most popular baby girl name in the 90s?” … Jessica, of course! 💖

It was a day full of laughter, color, creativity, and sweet nostalgia. Long live the 90s!

Today at SPARC ~ Leesburg the atmosphere was electric as we jumped headfirst into the world of improv and storytelling w...
07/23/2025

Today at SPARC ~ Leesburg the atmosphere was electric as we jumped headfirst into the world of improv and storytelling with the amazing Murph! The room buzzed with laughter and quick thinking as we kicked things off with a lively round of Zip, Zap, Zop, building energy and connection in every direction. From there, we tapped into our wild imaginations using the Vibe board for impromptu drawing prompts and silly story starters that sparked endless creativity.

We were thrilled to welcome a new participant, Jack, to the SPARC family! He fit right in from the start, diving into the improv games and cheering everyone on with the kind of energy that lifts the whole room. His encouragement helped make today’s atmosphere even more supportive, playful, and fun.

After all the laughs, characters, and plot twists, we settled in for a delicious family-style lunch of Rosemary Pesto Pasta with Chicken, followed by a fun (and slightly puckery!) surprise—sour candy to wrap up the day with a burst of flavor and more shared smiles.

Today was all about imagination, connection, and creativity. We didn’t just tell stories—we became them. And in the process, we found joy in laughter, friendship, and the magic of trying something new together.

🎮🎉 New Auction Item Alert! 🎉🎮Treat the gamer in your life (or yourself!) to endless fun with this Nintendo eShop gift ca...
07/23/2025

🎮🎉 New Auction Item Alert! 🎉🎮

Treat the gamer in your life (or yourself!) to endless fun with this Nintendo eShop gift card bundle—totaling $105 in credit! Whether they love exploring on the Switch, battling on the 3DS, or reliving classics on the Wii U, this is the perfect gift for any Nintendo fan.

🎁 Includes:
• 1 x $50 Gift Card
• 1 x $35 Gift Card
• 1 x $20 Gift Card

Let the games begin! Bid now and support a great cause ➡️
🔗 https://secure.qgiv.com/event/pancakebreakfast2025/

SPARC ~ Leesburg – Remix Tie-Dye & Bubbling Art Fun! Today was all about color, creativity, and good vibes in Leesburg! ...
07/23/2025

SPARC ~ Leesburg – Remix Tie-Dye & Bubbling Art Fun!

Today was all about color, creativity, and good vibes in Leesburg! We kicked off our Tuesday morning with our favorite jams from Green Day and Coldplay—because around here, we love to have music flowing before, during, and even after our activities. It keeps the energy up and the smiles going!

We dove right into our Remix Tie-Dye Day, where we finished up our amazing tie-dye shirts and gave last week’s designs their final rinse and reveal. The results? Absolutely beautiful bursts of color each shirt is a unique masterpiece!

After that, things got bubbly, literally! We moved on to our Marvelous Bubbling Watercolor Art, a playful and sensory-rich project that filled the room with laughter. The combination of color, bubbles, and movement led to a circle of giggles, especially from Connor, who was mesmerized by the gentle fizzing sound and the feel of the bubbles because it was calming, fun, and full of joy.

We had an amazing day creating a world of color and celebrating the freedom to make a big, beautiful, bubbly mess. The room was filled with contagious smiles that spread from one friend to another, reminding us that joy really is the most colorful thing of all. These are the days that show just how magical creativity and connection can be.

Yesterday at SPARC ~ Alexandria, we celebrated Mango Day with a flavorful and skill-building adventure! The day began wi...
07/23/2025

Yesterday at SPARC ~ Alexandria, we celebrated Mango Day with a flavorful and skill-building adventure! The day began with a spontaneous trip to Costco, where participants practiced decision-making, sensory awareness, and social engagement while picking out fresh mangos. Annabel enjoyed walking Riggs the therapy dog, and Katheryn shared her mango-picking expertise with the group. Back at the center, we explored fine motor skills by slicing mangos in an Asian style and compared the texture and flavor of dried versus fresh mango—a great sensory experience! Participants then made fresh-squeezed lemonade, learning how to adjust ingredients to match personal preferences, which encouraged critical thinking and independence. A fun pizza lunch at Costco’s food court added a social twist to the day. We wrapped things up with a healthy overnight oats activity using mangos and chia seeds, combining nutrition with hands-on food prep. Special thanks to Annabel for helping clean up after a delicious and dynamic day!

🎉 Thank you to Arlington County Board Member JD Spain, Sr. for honoring Disability Pride Month and the anniversary of th...
07/23/2025

🎉 Thank you to Arlington County Board Member JD Spain, Sr. for honoring Disability Pride Month and the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a powerful proclamation reaffirming our collective commitment to accessibility, equity, and full inclusion.

We are especially grateful to JD Spain for including SPARC, The Arc of Northern Virginia and the ECNV - ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia in this meaningful occasion. Celebrating the resilience, contributions, and civil rights of people with disabilities is at the heart of our mission—and it’s an honor to stand with community leaders who uplift that vision. 💙♿️🌟

🔥 FIRE SALE ALERT! 🔥Our online auction just got even more exciting—and it’s your chance to sip, swirl, and save BIG!🍷 To...
07/23/2025

🔥 FIRE SALE ALERT! 🔥

Our online auction just got even more exciting—and it’s your chance to sip, swirl, and save BIG!

🍷 Total Wine & More Private Wine Class for 20 — a $600 value — now starting at just $100!

Host an unforgettable experience for your friends, coworkers, or family with a private, 2-hour guided wine tasting. You’ll enjoy hand-selected premium wines, expert instruction, and a deep dive into the region of your choosing. All glassware and tasting materials provided—just bring your favorite people!

🎉 Other hot auction items include:

✨ Dream getaways
✨ Gorgeous serving tray
🎈 Custom balloon arch
🎓 Field trip experiences and scholarships for SPARC participants

Bid now and support a great cause:
👉 https://secure.qgiv.com/event/pancakebreakfast2025/

Hurry before these deals disappear!

🎉✨ SPARC ~ Arlington Throwback Thursday: 90s Style! ✨🎉Today we turned back the clock and brought all the 90s vibes to li...
07/23/2025

🎉✨ SPARC ~ Arlington Throwback Thursday: 90s Style! ✨🎉

Today we turned back the clock and brought all the 90s vibes to life with a fun-filled blast from the past!

We kicked things off by making our own bouncy balls using water and a special polymer compound—when mixed just right, the polymer chains link together to trap water and create a rubbery texture that bounces with energy and joy! Participants practiced fine motor skills and color recognition as they poured bright materials into different-shaped molds. The results? Colorful, custom-made bouncy balls that had the whole room bouncing! 🟣🟠🟢

Next up: friendship bracelets! 💫 A SPARC favorite, bracelet-making sparked creativity, social bonding, and hand-eye coordination. There were smiles all around as participants made and exchanged bracelets with one another.

Adam took a digital turn and explored AI art on the iPad—he was thrilled to watch his ideas come to life on screen! A fantastic opportunity to build digital literacy and celebrate unique expression.

We ended the day with a spirited round of 90s trivia and Zumba, where memory, movement, and laughter ruled the dance floor. What a rad way to celebrate the best of the 90s! 🕺💿🧡

Address

Reston, VA

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC:

Share