COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) -Most parents will do anything for their child and that’s the case for Melanie Ray and her 6-year-old daughter, Victoria.
“Victoria means the world to me and children in general. I wanted to open doors for other children to have a place where they could meet friends and have fun,” said Melanie Ray, the CEO of Victoria’s Place.
Victoria has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. Ray wanted to create a safe haven where other children with special needs and their parents could havecould a community with those in similar walks of life.
“That’s something that I feel like a lot of parents face, not knowing anybody who has a child with special needs, just wanting to talk to somebody. I feel like that’s very important because you’re not alone and it’s very healthy to have relationships with families to build connections,” Ray said.
Soon after Victoria was born in 2018, so too was Victoria’s Place.
“This is the face of Victoria, it’s named after my daughter Victoria, she’s the CEO,” Ray said.
Through Victoria’s Place kids can socialize, make friends, and participate in five different program services, including art, music, sports, fine motor skills, and reading.
Ray said this organization helps children develop confidence and build their self-esteem. Developments Ray has seen firsthand with Victoria.
“It really has helped her come out of her shell, meeting others, kind of gravitating towards new activities, finding out what she likes most,” said Ray.
Ray said they also hold an annual fashion show, where the children are the models. It’s an event that means just as much to the parents as it does to the kids.
“A parent told me that was the first time her special needs child was in a fashion show and that’s all she wanted to see and that brought a tear to my eye,” Ray shared.
Ray wants all kids who are a part of Victoria’s Place to feel loved and empowered.
“Children with disabilities matter, they should not be left behind. They should be treated with dignity and respect. That’s what I want to show at Victoria’s Place, these kids matter, they mean something,” Ray said.
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Empowering kids with special needs through Victoria’s Place
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