Mission
The Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee is a non-profit which strives to meet the social and recreational needs of the mentally and/or physically challenged population of the greater Memphis area. We offer a variety of programs that improve the quality of life for exceptional people and their families.
Our Goals
- To provide daily programs for our exceptional participants which include team sports, exercise classes, social events, music, and arts and crafts activities.
- To provide a place for group support programs for families that include exceptional members.
- To provide hands-on training for teachers, social workers, and others who are involved with exceptional citizens.
Staff
KC Hutchinson
Program Director
An Auburn University graduate in Elementary Education, KC Hutchinson moved to Memphis and joined The Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee in December 2008. She has a passion for exceptional people as she grew up around The Exceptional Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama, her hometown. KC is our Program Director, running our programs, volunteers, special events, and more.
Working at Camp DeSoto in Mentone, Alabama during her summers while in college gave her a passion for children and helped her pursue her education degree. She interned at Cary Woods Elementary School in Auburn, Alabama while also volunteering at a therapeutic riding facility for special needs individuals, Storybook Farm.
The most rewarding aspect of her job is helping participants reach and exceed their potential of a greater quality of life. She is passionate about creating a safe and caring environment for our participants to excel in social and recreational activities, and for them to have an amazing experience while at The Foundation.
Claire White
Program Coordinator
After graduating from Rhodes College in May of 2009, Claire White joined the Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee that summer. She graduated with a major in Psychology and a minor in Religious Studies. She is originally from Natchez, MS.
Claire began her experience with the exceptional population in the summer of 2003 when she began staffing sessions for the mentally and physically disabled at Camp Bratton Green in Canton, MS. Since then, she has been so inspired by the capability and promise of these individuals that she was determined to continue working with this population. While at Rhodes, Claire interned at the Baddour Center in Senatobia, MS, a recreational, social and vocational live-in facility for adults with mental and developmental disorders. The most rewarding aspect of working with this population for Claire is when the individuals notice the power, knowledge and inspiration that they each posses.
When she is not at the Exceptional Foundation, Claire serves as a youth minister for St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Southaven, MS.
Alison Weber
Alison Weber is originally from Dothan, AL. She has a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Troy University and is currently working toward a Masters in Early Childhood Education from the University of Memphis. Mrs. Weber first began volunteering at the Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee in the summer of 2009 and became a full-time Program Assistant starting the Fall Program of 2009.
Prior to joining the Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee, Mrs. Weber worked at Flowers Insurance Agency in Dothan, Alabama and Montgomery Martin Contractors in Rosemary Beach, Florida.
After volunteering she became very passionate for working with special needs individuals. The happiness each individual brings to such simple things in everyday life is so inspiring to her. Mrs. Weber loves the feeling she receives everyday knowing that she has touched each individual's life and helped bring joy into theirs as well as her own.
Alison loves being creative and helping with all the art projects that we do each day and enjoys going on all the field trips. She loves seeing the participants' faces light up at all the exciting things that go on at the Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee. This truly has been a very inspirational and rewarding job for her. Alison continues to learn each day and share in here experiences at the Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee.
Corderoa Smith
Corderoa Smith is a graduate of Briarcrest Christian High School.
Corderoa played college football at Lambuth University and will soon join a nursing school program in Memphis. He received his Medical Assistant License in December 2009 and currently is a volunteer at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in the ER and OR.
Corderoa loves meeting new people and working in an atmosphere that helps people like The Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee.
Claire Torgerson
Originally from Troy, MI, Claire graduated from Central Michigan University in December 2009, completing bachelor's degrees in Child Development and Psychology. After graduating, she moved to Memphis and was blessed to have found work with The Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee.
Claire's passion for working with the special needs community began in 1999 when she completed community service hours for school. She began volunteering at The Variety FAR Conservatory of Therapeutic and Performing Arts (FAR) located in Birmingham, MI. While with FAR, Claire coached ice skating, assisted with special events and accompanied athletes to the Special Olympics Winter Games in Traverse City, MI. Since then, she has had the opportunity to work for three years as a one-on-one aid in an afterschool program, which continued to inspire her to pursue a career with the special needs population. She interned at Early On, an early intervention program for children 0-3 and their families, where for the first time Claire was able to work with younger children with special needs.
While with The Foundation, Claire is determined to inspire and be inspired by the exceptional people that come through the doors daily. She enjoys seeing the joy in the participants' faces and watching them grow and express themselves through art, music, dance as well as discovering their passions for life.
When not working at The Foundation, Claire volunteers with youth at Orange Mound Outreach Ministry in Memphis, TN and Faith Presbyterian Church in Germantown, TN.
