After many years of both professional and volunteer work with young adults with special needs, Beth Newton conceived the idea for a place where people with disabilities could gain steady work experience and serve the community with a smile.
Newton, who used to teach special education at Loudoun County Public Schools and most recently led the special needs ministry at Cornerstone Chapel, brought her idea to Paul Smith, founder and executive director of local nonprofit Tree of Life Ministries.
TOLâs several specialized branches include Still Waters, which cares for children of parents with special needs and where Newton volunteered for nine years.