Press Release: SPARC Announces New Chair

Community leader to help increase awareness of and funding for adults with profound disabilities.

RESTON, VA, September 19, 2022 - SPARC (Specially Adapted Resource Clubs), a northern Virginia non-profit dedicated to helping adults with profound disabilities live productive and meaningful lives since 2006, proudly announces today that Ellen Dyke has been named Chair of its Board of Directors, effective September 18, 2022. Ms. Dyke, a graduate of the City College of the City University of New York and Howard University Law School, has practiced commercial real estate as a Partner at Venable, LLP and as Vice President and Senior Attorney at Marriott International, Inc. Her community and philanthropic service includes past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Community Education Foundation, and past recipient, with her husband Jim Dyke, of the Community Leadership Award from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia. Ms. Dyke brings her special brand of expertise of connecting the philanthropic, business, and political communities to SPARC’s largely neglected but precious segment of society.?

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“Too often adults with profound disabilities are left to languish in lives of quiet desperation without being given the chance to attain their full potential,” said Debi Alexander, SPARC’s Executive Director. “Too often the business community fails to recognize that SPARC provides invaluable benefits to employees who care for adults with severe disabilities. We believe that Ms. Dyke’s tenure as Chair of SPARC’s Board will open hearts, minds and ultimately wallets to assist these special members of our community and to make our work force more productive.”

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Ms. Dyke said, “I am honored, humbled and proud to be Chair of SPARC’s Board of Directors. I deeply believe that helping others, while improving the lives of those whom I may help, enriches, and adds meaning to my own life. Hopefully, I can make others feel the wonder.”

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Follow news about SPARC and learn ways of giving at https://sparcsolutions.org.