Ignite the Fire: One Family's Mission for Inclusive Catholic Education - Dr. Ryan Allen - 08/21/2026

Dr. Ryan Allen, president of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa (Families for Inclusive Religious Education), joins Bo Bonner to talk about Ignite the Fire's mission to champion the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Sioux City. Ryan traces the foundation's roots to the birth of his daughter Sawyer, who was born with Down syndrome nearly 12 years ago without a prenatal diagnosis, and to the small group of Sioux City–area families who began meeting to imagine what inclusive Catholic education could look like. Ryan breaks down how schools can apply for support: a major grant program (applications due each mid-January) that funds larger needs like interventionist and special-education resource-teacher positions, and micro-grants of up to $1,500, available year-round, that have funded curriculum, adaptive technology, and staff training — including the popular "Teach to Heal" program for educators. He also shares how the foundation's work has shaped a culture of belonging across every Diocese of Sioux City school, from peer-mentoring programs to milestone moments like his daughter's First Communion. Now in its sixth year, the Ignite the Fire fundraiser moves to a new venue — the Sioux City Distilling Company — on Wednesday, September 16, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The FIRE Foundation is entirely volunteer-run, and 100% of funds raised go directly back into diocesan classrooms. Tickets, sponsorship information, and ways to support the mission are at FIRE Foundation of NW Iowa. Heard on the Catholic Morning Show, weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio. More at IowaCatholicRadio.com. #IgniteTheFire #FireFoundation #CatholicEducation #DownSyndrome #Inclusion #SiouxCity #CatholicSchools #CatholicPodcast Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.