Our founding director, Dr. Artis Callaham met Danielle in 2006 while working as a school psychologist at an elementary school in Los Angeles. From the age of five years old she loved to come to Dr. Callaham’s room for counseling and would enjoy herself playing games and watching videos. In actuality, through Dr. Callaham’s work, Danielle was learning social skills via stories and different fun activities- necessary for her Asperger’s Syndrome. Because of this she was often misunderstood by her teachers, administrators, and friends; to the point that the Vice Principal of the school attempted to have her expelled. But thanks to Dr. Callaham seeing Danielle as “a beautiful talented little girl with an amazing tiny voice” she was able to take her under her wing and help her complete elementary school. Despite losing touch with Danielle after entering high school, we learned that Danielle successfully graduate from Hamilton High School of Performing Arts and earned a scholarship to attend a Conservatory. She is a shining example of how the trajectory of her life was forever changed with a little love, commitment, and seeds of purpose. We believed in Danielle, and now she believes in herself.

A Nia Success Story.