2023

 

Today we are proud to have founded The Wingman Movemnet with a team of dedicated members. Our Programs have been actioned in over 60 organizations. We republished our Activity Guides in Spanish and English.

 

Dylan’s Wings of Change also works with the YMCA of Watertown, NY and trains 10 Wingman Trainers on their staff, as well as hosting a series of team bonding workshops for 100 of the Y’s employees.

2022

 

By the end of the 2022 academic year there are 55 schools using Wingman. 1,200 Wingman Student leaders were trained and there are more than 50 Wingman Trainers either on DWC staff or embedded in school districts.

 

Three teams from Dylan’s Wings of Change place in the top 5 slots in Miles for Meaning challenge, earning more than $30,000 in prize money and donations. This is used to make grants to schools who cannot fund the costs of a Wingman program.

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2021

 

80% of Wingman activities are adapted for virtual programming. The first Student Leader training workshops are held over Zoom. 

 

A team of 100 runners from Dylan’s Wings of Change wins the inaugural “Miles for Meaning” nationwide virtual challenge from Kilter, scooping the $20,000 first prize and securing the foundation’s finances.

2020

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At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic there are 44 schools enrolled in Wingman. The shut down of schools forces our programming to shift online, with the loss of nearly half our schools over the following 18 months as they grapple with the challenges of remote learning.

 

Fundraising events are cancelled, putting financial strain on Dylan’s Wings of Change.

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2019

 

With expansion into New Jersey, Wingman is now in use in 39 schools across the tristate area. The first Train the Trainer workshops are held in Trenton, NJ to expand capacity. The foundation begins to charge fees for training workshops, improving retention of schools with the increased commitment and focus this brings.

2018

 

The number of Wingman schools grows to 21, including the first outside Connecticut in Mahopac, NY. Wingman is being provided free of charge however the growth is putting fiscal strain on the foundation. The community grants program is (regretfully) paused.

2017

 

The number of schools using Wingman doubles to eight.

 

11 teams of runners enter the Cape Cod Ragnar Relay, Running for Dylan and raising over $100,000 for the foundation, funding the development and growth of the Wingman program.

2016

 

The number of schools using Wingman grows to four, adding Portland and Meriden CT. The first Wingman Program Guide for sports clubs is issued.

 

Grants are made for adaptive technology at a school in Queens, NY, an adaptive sports program in Michigan and a sensory and accessible playground in Texas.

2015

 

New Fairfield Middle School in Connecticut becomes the first Wingman school, quickly followed by City Hill Middle School in Naugatuck. Renowned experiential educator Jennifer Stanchfield trains the first cohorts of Wingman Leaders.

 

Dylan’s Wings of Change makes grants to the Bronxchester Challenger League in New York, and Camp MOE and Unified Theater in Connecticut.

2014

 

Pilot Wingman program begins at Nutmeg Striders Athletics in Southbury, CT.

 

Dylan’s Wings of Change makes its first community grant to the Shooting Stars adaptive sports program in Philadelphia, and becomes a sponsor of Unified Sports in Connecticut.

2013

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Our first fundraising team is entered in the Cape Cod Ragnar, a 200 mile overnight relay race. The team is named Dylan’s Wings of Change by one of the runners, inspired by Nicole and Ian’s speech at his memorial service.

 

The memorial fund is renamed Dylan’s Wings of Change and achieves 501c3 statue by joining the New Venture Fund based in Washington, D.C.

2012

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Mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school on December 14th. Dylan Hockley and 19 of his first grade classmates and 6 of their educators are murdered. 

 

The Dylan Hockley Memorial Fund was created to receive hundreds of generous donations pouring in from around the world.