Our Campus
A Dream Realized For
Our Children and Their Families
When children arrived at the brand new Meeting Street campus in January of 2007, the dream of many to create a state-of-the-art building that provides an array of innovative programs and services to children with of all types of needs was realized. The custom-designed, 76,000-square-foot building situated on a seven and a half acre campus has made it possible for Meeting Street to strengthen and expand the educational, therapeutic and diagnostic services we provide to over 1,700 children and their families each year.
Our philosophy of inclusion was built into the design of Meeting Street. Our belief that kids should live and learn together comes alive as kids walk, play and even get therapy on the ramps that wind throughout the building, eat their lunch in the cafeteria, and play together in the gym.
From the moment you enter the building, it is clear that this is a place like no other. The space is open and bright, fed by natural light throughout the “environmentally green” building. The lobby welcomes each child and parent with comfortable seating, toys for play, and a saltwater aquarium that entertains and educates children all day long.
While parents and children are waiting, they often spend time in our Library and Family Resource Center. Kids love the books, books on tape and educational videos while parents spend time reviewing materials pertinent to their child’s needs. And everyone loves our very helpful and knowledgeable librarian.
Peak into the windows and you’ll see cribs for infants in Bright Futures and classrooms with the latest equipment and teaching aids for the preschool kids in Bright Futures and our K-8th grade children in The Grace School. When you go upstairs, or “upramp,” you’ll come upon The Carter School classrooms and our Life Skills Center. High school students in The Carter School have access to a washer and dryer, a kitchen and office equipment, all available to help students learn skills that will help them once they graduate.
Throughout the building you’ll also see our therapy rooms, filled with the stimulus needed for very interactive sessions. Children receiving occupational, physical, and sensory integration therapy use these rooms. We also have rooms and state-of-the-art equipment for kids needing audiology and low vision services.
Everyone enjoys time in our full-sized Junior High gymnasium that features a basketball court with baskets at all different levels. The gym is busy all day as kids use it for adaptive physical education classes and recess. The gym equipment has been adapted so kids of all abilities can ride tricycles, play basketball, play mini-golf of hockey, or do just about anything they want to do.
Another amazing feature at Meeting Street is our indoor therapeutic swimming pool – used for both individual therapy and gym classes. The pool is 4-feet deep and measures 16 yards by 20 yards. The water temperature is a warm 90 degrees, and kids are lowered in on a lift or jump right in to work and play hard. Pool time is so much fun the kids never know that they are receiving physical, occupational or sensory integration therapy.
Beyond the beauty of the building, 40 percent of the Meeting Street campus is reserved for green space for outdoor play areas, accessible paths that wind through landscaped areas and athletic fields being built in partnership with the Providence City Parks Department. Plans are under way to open our playground this summer. Everything outdoors and inside Meeting Street is fully accessible so children with and without disabilities can learn and play together.
If you are interested in helping us with our outdoor projects or the ongoing enhancement of the campus, please donate online or contact us at development@meetingstreet.org.