Building a Place for Grace: Jenny Radler’s Mission to Help Special Needs Families

Never underestimate the power of a mother's love. We sit down with Jenny Dumont Radler, the founder of A Place for Grace, Michigan's only fully inclusive childcare, preschool, afterschool program, and teen center for children with special needs. Jenny shares her deeply personal journey of raising her daughter, Emma, who was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Through her struggles and triumphs, Jenny found her calling: creating a place where all children—regardless of ability—are welcomed, loved, and given the tools to thrive.✅ How Jenny’s personal experience raising her daughter with special needs led to founding A Place for Grace.✅ The challenges special needs children face in traditional daycare settings—and how inclusive childcare can make a difference.✅ The incredible stories of resilience and transformation happening at A Place for Grace.✅ The power of faith, forgiveness, and finding purpose through adversity.✅ How you can support A Place for Grace and the children it serves.Links:🔗 Visit A Place for Grace: aplaceforgracechildcare.org📍 Location: 4884 Gratiot Road, Suite 19, Saginaw, MI📱 Follow A Place for Grace on Facebook💖 Support the mission through the Saginaw Community FoundationSubscribe to our Email Newsletter: https://totalmichigan.com/join/Find us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/totalmichiganWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@totalmichiganShow Notes:The Struggles Begin:00:00 - Jenny’s Mission: Creating A Place for Grace for Emma & Others02:15 - Emma’s Early Challenges: Surgeries, Strength & Survival05:30 - Jenny Faces Every Mother’s Nightmare at Daycare07:50 - The Moment That Changed Everything for Jenny & EmmaAgainst All Odds09:45 - Jenny Searches for an Inclusive Childcare & Finds Nothing12:30 - Emma Inspires Jenny to Build Michigan’s First Inclusive Childcare15:10 - Building A Place for Grace: Passion vs. Real-World Obstacles18:40 - Funding, Licensing & Community Skepticism—Can It Work?22:15 - Betrayal: Jenny is Forced Out of Her Own Organization25:50 - Starting Over: Jenny’s Relentless Fight for InclusionHope, Triumph & A Brighter Future27:30 - A Place for Grace Opens Its Doors: A Dream Becomes Reality30:10 - A Foster Child’s Life is Transformed Through Jenny’s Mission33:45 - Emma’s Growth & The Kids Who Found a Home at A Place for Grace35:50 - The Future: Expanding A Place for Grace & How You Can HelpMentioned in this episode:NWF AdVisit Our Sponsor: The National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Chapter is working hard to protect what Michiganders love and that is our great outdoors. Learn more about threats facing all Michiganders and what the NWF is fighting for at https://nwf.org/greatlakes