The feeling is hard to describe. But if you’ve been involved in the Tri-Cities community, you’ve probably felt it too.

It takes shape when people consistently show up, lean in and offer support for their neighbors — especially those who have long gone overlooked.

That’s where Rising Lights Project comes in.

Started in 2020 by former special education teacher Jaimie Valentini, the nonprofit helps local people with developmental disabilities find friends, feel included and be a productive part of the community.

But the idea wasn’t born in a boardroom. It came from lived experience — and a realization that something crucial was missing.

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“I remember being really confused by the fact that our community had very little to offer these families,” Valentini said. “It’s a gap everywhere, but definitely a gap in our area.”

When Jaimie was working for Chapelstreet Church, she got to know families whose children were about to age out of the system. Their future was filled with uncertainty.

“The reality is, at 22, everything stops,” she said. “Parents often become full-time caregivers for their adult children with no roadmap.”

But a roadmap was exactly what they needed. So Jaimie started building one.

Digging in, fostering growth

Rising Lights began with a simple idea: gather once a week on Friday, and see what grows. Literally.

Their first program was a community garden in Campton Hills. More than just a fun outing, the garden provided accessible, sensory-friendly tasks for participants of all ability levels — from planting seeds and pulling weeds to jarring honey sourced from the program’s own seven beehives.

“There’s always something to do in a garden, no matter your ability,” Valentini said. “And we’ll always need food — it’s not a trend that goes out of style.”

As interest blossomed, so did the offerings. Today, Rising Lights hosts inclusive programming three days a week for the entire year, supplemented with community events and specialty classes through collaboration with local partners.

The social side of support

Unlike vocational training programs, Rising Lights focuses on the social side of adulthood — friendships, community and having a good time.

“We exist to provide meaningful, purposeful opportunities for adults with disabilities,” Valentini said. “We’re not job training. In a way, we’re friendship training.”

The programming reflects that mission. A Friday gardening session might be followed by a Monday evening cooking class, where participants use produce they helped grow to prepare healthy dishes under the guidance of a local chef. In colder months, the group shifts indoors for plant care workshops, tea blending sessions and other hands-on activities using materials harvested from the garden.

Each experience aims to empower — through both tangible results and relationships. And the benefits extend beyond the participants themselves. 

“Most of our adults don’t drive, and many of their parents are still working,” Valentini said. “Our goal is to provide a space where they’re known, valued and included — and where their families are too.”

A community effort

Support for Rising Lights has come from all corners of the Tri-Cities — from mayors and chambers to local shop owners and real estate agents.

“One day, Manny from Creations Creative noticed we didn’t have any salt or shovels after it snowed,” Valentini recalled. “He left, came back with supplies donated by Do it Best St. Charles Hardware Store, and salted and shoveled the walk himself. I didn’t even ask.”

That small act of kindness wasn’t an outlier. Local businesses like Grow Geneva and Fox Den Cooking have become regular collaborators. Rising Lights has also launched moms and dads groups, a teen program, and inclusive family events like sensory-friendly Easter egg hunts and open gyms.

It all starts with the question, “Can we do more?”

“Almost everything we’ve added has been because someone came to me with an idea,” Valentini said. “We want to be a nonprofit that cares for the whole family — specializing in adults, but supporting everyone.”

Celebrate the mission: Enchanted Garden Gala on May 10

One of the most impactful ways the community can support Rising Lights is by attending their signature event: the annual Enchanted Garden Gala.

The details:

• When: Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 6-10PM

• Where:Q Center, 1405 N. 5th Ave., St. Charles

• What: More info and tickets

Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, silent and live auctions, fundraising games, RLP merchandise and an evening of inspiration — all to support services for individuals with disabilities across the Tri-Cities. 

One of the highlights of the evening will be the presentation of the Inclusivity Impact Award, which will honor Todd Selin of Plandscape for his unwavering support of the Rising Lights garden program.

Gala tickets are available now. Cocktail attire is encouraged — and so is dancing.

How you can rise up

The need is still great. Rising Lights has more families on its waitlist than it can currently accommodate, and there’s limited transportation for those who want to attend but don’t have access.

But overall, the path forward is bright.

Valentini dreams of expanding hours, offering more individualized support and perhaps even acquiring vans to provide transportation. But for now, even the smallest gestures make a big impact.

“People think they need experience in this space to volunteer,” she said. “But it can be as simple as stopping by for 30 minutes, introducing yourself, and answering a few questions about your job. Our adults love meeting new people.”

There are plenty of ways to get involved:

• Sponsor an inclusive event

• Offer job-shadowing or work experience opportunities

• Donate to help fund programming and transportation

• Volunteer as often or as occasionally as your schedule allows

According to Rising Lights, disability affects over 29,000 individuals in Kane County alone. The work will never be done, but a little time and generosity can go a long way.

Want to learn more about Rising Lights or grab tickets to the Gala? Visit risinglightsproject.org for details.

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