Quality of Life grant supports The Inclusion Gallery, the region’s first year-round therapeutic indoor play space for children of all abilities
United Services for Children is honored to receive national and local support for a new project that will benefit children throughout our community!
United Services received a Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to fund a new 2,700-square-foot therapeutic indoor play space. United Services plans to open the play space this fall at its St. Charles-based therapy and early intervention center on Harry S. Truman Blvd. Designed by the organization’s licensed therapists, “The Inclusion Gallery” will be Greater St. Louis’ first year-round indoor play environment created from the ground up for children of all abilities.
The play space will offer a sensory-rich, developmentally calibrated environment where children with complex developmental needs can play side by side with their siblings, peers, and caregivers. Every element, from equipment selection to spatial design, will be grounded in evidence-based pediatric therapy best practices and inclusive play research.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s Quality of Life Grants Program, created by the late Dana Reeve in 1999, supports nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and municipalities whose projects improve access, independence, community engagement, and quality of life for individuals living with paralysis and their families. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $50 million to over 4,100 projects across the United States.
The Reeve Foundation grant joins a growing roster of early supporters, including Commerce Bancshares Foundation, Thrivent Financial, and Sunrise Rotary Club.
Last week, United Services accepted a generous check from the 2026 St. Charles County Mayors’ Charity Ball, earmarked for The Inclusion Gallery. The agency was one of five beneficiaries to receive funding through the annual event, which supports organizations that provide vital support and services to individuals and families throughout St. Charles County.
M+H Design is the architect for The Inclusion Gallery, with construction by Vanstar Construction Co. The space was designed by United Services’ licensed therapists, who provide speech, occupational and behavioral therapy for more than 400 children annually. United Services is positioning the project as a replicable national model that other communities can adapt to expand inclusive early childhood play environments across the country.
As construction and equipment investment continues, United Services invites businesses, foundations, civic partners, and individual donors to help bring this signature project fully to life ahead of its fall 2026 projected opening.
To learn more about the project, schedule a tour, or contribute to the capital campaign, contact Julie Turner at jturner@unitedsrvcs.org or (636) 926-2700 x509.