We recently connected with Heather Haubenschild and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Heather thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

As a nonprofit expressing, our gratitude is everything. The families we serve need to feel that their children are safe with us. Our volunteers need to know that their efforts are appreciated. We encourage our site directors to provide thank you notes so families can thank the volunteers who are paired individually with their children. Night Lights corporate sends thank you cards frequently to our site directors. Our social media is often about thanking are nurses and volunteers for all of their hard work.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Night Lights was inspired when our founder had a child with a disability. She realized that there is very little respite care opportunities for parents with children with disabilities. That combined with higher rates of divorce for parents with children with disabilities, she was inspired to start Night Lights . Night Lights provides free respite care for children with disabilities, and cares for their siblings as well.
Children are paired one on one with a volunteer for four hours, and have the opportunity to do child lead play, crafts, and themed activities once a month.
We believe that everyone has intrinsic value and should be treated with dignity and respect. We believe that all parents should have the opportunity to connect with one another, knowing that their children are safe and cared for. We believe that siblings should not serve as secondary care providers, but should be allowed to play as well.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I stepped into the role as executive Director, when the former executive Director abruptly left. Our biggest fundraiser of the year was canceled due to his abrupt exit. We had to pivot how we are fundraising. Instead of doing a large gala, we decided to venture into e-commerce and create an online café, selling high-quality coffee. It has proven, a good pivot for our organization as it’s more sustainable during a recession.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met Kristin Steadman, the founder of Night Lights , because we both had a passion for serving individuals with disabilities. I personally do not have a child or a relative of disabilities, but have always been drawn to serve an advocate for this population. Together Kristin and I hope to continue to advocate for, and support families with children with disabilities.

Contact Info:

• Website: Nightlightskids.org
• Instagram: @nightlightsrespite
• Facebook: Night Lights Respite Care
• Other: https://nightlights.coffee/