About Us
Mission
I Belong is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to create community for people with disabilities and their families.
Vision Statement
Through Creative Arts, I Belong will be the leading model in providing creative arts programming that fosters personal growth and a sense of belonging.
Our Story
I Belong has been steadily taking shape within the mind and heart of our founder, Witek Nowosiad, over many years. Witek is the proud parent of two grown daughters, the younger of whom has a disability. From early on, it became clear to Witek that his younger daughter's greatest challenge was forging meaningful connections and friendships with her peers.
Witek embarked on an initiative to establish a martial arts school specifically for individuals with disabilities. Alongside this, he concurrently developed a social extension, 'Social Connections,' which became an integral part of the martial arts classes. One Friday evening, after a rigorous class, an open invitation was extended to all to socialize at a nearby Chick-Fil-A. These were humble beginnings of creating community for individuals with disabilities, a place where everyone felt they belonged and was accepted the way they were. Throughout the years, after the class social outings grew into movie nights, game nights, picnics, bowling outings and more. However, the Mission has never changed to “to create
community for people with disabilities”.
Witek soon recognized that the realm of creative arts provided a powerful medium for individuals with disabilities to express themselves meaningfully. Beyond offering an avenue for expression, creative arts also yielded opportunities for joy, personal growth, and a sense of accomplishment. This insight affirmed Witek's belief that establishing a community of belonging for people with disabilities should revolve around offering them abundant opportunities to engage in a variety of creative arts. This could include visual arts, dance, poetry, culinary arts, martial arts, and beyond.
As John O’Donohue says in his poem For a New Beginning:
“This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge”
After years of thoughtful discussions, shared dreaming, and rallying passionate individuals to support its mission, I Belong has blossomed. Today, it stands as a vibrant entity, dedicated to passionately serving individuals with disabilities and their families.
Board of Directors
Witek Nowosiad, Founder, I belong
Witek Nowosiad, Founder, I belong
Witek Nowosiad, Founder, I belong
Witek is passionate about creating community for people with disabilities and their families. He is an advocate and a leader within disability community. He is a
compassionate human being called to serve as a mentor and spiritual leader. Witek cultivates his creativity and soulfulness through expressive arts.
Currently, Witek works as a ped
Witek is passionate about creating community for people with disabilities and their families. He is an advocate and a leader within disability community. He is a
compassionate human being called to serve as a mentor and spiritual leader. Witek cultivates his creativity and soulfulness through expressive arts.
Currently, Witek works as a pediatric chaplain and a Certified Educator of Clinical Pastoral Education at Children’s Health in the DFW area. In addition, Witek has established a martial arts school solely dedicated to teaching and empowering individuals with special needs and disabilities. Finally, Witek is a father to two adult daughters.
George Cattat, Treasurer
Witek Nowosiad, Founder, I belong
Witek Nowosiad, Founder, I belong
George is the founder and President of Four Oaks Financial. He has over 20 years experience as an Investment Strategist serving as his clients personal wealth manager, overseeing all of their financial affairs. George lives in the DFW area with his wife and 3 daughters. As a Dad of a daughter with different abilities, George believes s
George is the founder and President of Four Oaks Financial. He has over 20 years experience as an Investment Strategist serving as his clients personal wealth manager, overseeing all of their financial affairs. George lives in the DFW area with his wife and 3 daughters. As a Dad of a daughter with different abilities, George believes strongly in the I Belong vision and is excited to serve on the Board.
Heisha Freeman, Corporate Secretary
Witek Nowosiad, Founder, I belong
Heisha Freeman, Corporate Secretary
Heisha Freeman,CRP, GMS-T is EVP, Chief Customer Officer at MoveCenter. Her professional experience includes serving as a volunteer, steering committee and board member of numerous 501(c)(3) organizations. She is a Special Olympics coach and previous steering committee member. She’s served on the board of directors of The Arc of Texas
Heisha Freeman,CRP, GMS-T is EVP, Chief Customer Officer at MoveCenter. Her professional experience includes serving as a volunteer, steering committee and board member of numerous 501(c)(3) organizations. She is a Special Olympics coach and previous steering committee member. She’s served on the board of directors of The Arc of Texas DFW Area, Agape Resource and Assistance Center and is Secretary of the Board for the Texas State Independent Living Council. Heisha holds an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology.
Adam Lubbers, Spirituality Director
Tamara Schlueter Bayo, Board Director
Heisha Freeman, Corporate Secretary
Adam Lubbers (MDiv, MA) is a United Methodist minister and interfaith chaplain. He enjoys reading, being outside, playing pickleball, travelling, and spending time with friends and his wife, Courtney. Adam is on the board of I Belong because all people, especially people with disabilities, deserve to belong to an authentic and loving community.
Tamara Schlueter Bayo, Board Director
Tamara Schlueter Bayo, Board Director
Tamara Schlueter Bayo, Board Director
Born and raised in Dallas, Tamara Schlueter Bayo currently serves as the Christian Service Coordinator at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Plano, Texas. After a storied 20-year career in luxury hospitality and event planning, Tamara returned for a graduate degree to explore religious and philosophical studies at Southern Methodist Univ
Born and raised in Dallas, Tamara Schlueter Bayo currently serves as the Christian Service Coordinator at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Plano, Texas. After a storied 20-year career in luxury hospitality and event planning, Tamara returned for a graduate degree to explore religious and philosophical studies at Southern Methodist University. Tamara Graduated in 2023 with an MDiv and completed her clinical hours to become a Chaplain in September 2024. Tamara's motto in life is "those who can do." This simple sentence guides all she does and leads her in her teaching of young people. Her work now is to inspire those around her to see a need and to act to help in whatever ways one can.
On the more personal side, Tamara has been wife to Alejandro for almost 20 years and mother to Tomas, 17 and a senior in high school at John Paul II High School, Lily, 14, an eighth grader at Prince of Peace Catholic School, and Penny a 2-year-old blonde terrier/poodle mix. Out and about, you can find her volunteering with the National Charity League, at the tennis courts, or the farm, spending time with her children doing their beloved sports. At home, you can find her reading, cooking, or enjoying a good Netflix binge. Tamara loves traveling and trying new foods and restaurants. Tamara has learned that life is very much about loving and caring for others and walking alongside those who are suffering while managing our suffering. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, " You shall love your neighbor as yourself."" Galatians 5:13-14.
Alexandra Robinson, Board Director
Tamara Schlueter Bayo, Board Director
Tamara Schlueter Bayo, Board Director
Rev. Alexandra Robinson is an ordained elder in the United Methodist church and has served in a variety of churches in the North Texas Conference since 1997. Whether serving in the small neighborhood church of Greenland Hills UMC as a children's minister, the downtown cathedral of First UMC Dallas in pastoral care, or the suburban chur
Rev. Alexandra Robinson is an ordained elder in the United Methodist church and has served in a variety of churches in the North Texas Conference since 1997. Whether serving in the small neighborhood church of Greenland Hills UMC as a children's minister, the downtown cathedral of First UMC Dallas in pastoral care, or the suburban church of Christ UMC Plano as an associate, the most important part of her ministry has been relationships. Throughout ministry, she has served on several UMC boards, such as the Board of Ordained Ministry for 12 years, as well as serving as the director of SEEK camp, a summer camp for youth and young adults with special needs.
As the senior pastor at Flower Mound United Methodist church since 2019, she serves alongside incredible lay leadership who continue to serve neighbor through the mission of becoming disciples through the holy love of God and loving neighbors wholly. She currently serves on the board for Journey to Dream, a ministry with homeless teens as well as the District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
Alexandra has three children, twin boys who are sophomores at their chosen schools: UT Austin and Rhodes College in Memphis; and a daughter who is a sophomore dancer and actress in high school. Her husband is an architect leading the Denton office of Brandsetter-Carroll Architects. They have resided as a family in Carrollton for 18 years.
She is thrilled to be considered for the board of I Belong, as she has experienced such joy in learning from students with special needs during her first career as a child life specialist at Children's National Medical Center in Washington DC and Austin, and through her work in SEEK camp.
Kimberly ingram
Delynda Johnson Moravec, Board Director
Delynda Johnson Moravec, Board Director
Kimberly is a composer and writer, and the owner of Open Heart Musicals, which publishes music, theatre, and curriculum for children's programs in churches and private schools. She has taught English, speech, theatre, and choir in both public schools and churches. She is a GMA Dove Award nominee, and has been a clinician for Alleluia Bay
Kimberly is a composer and writer, and the owner of Open Heart Musicals, which publishes music, theatre, and curriculum for children's programs in churches and private schools. She has taught English, speech, theatre, and choir in both public schools and churches. She is a GMA Dove Award nominee, and has been a clinician for Alleluia Baylor, Children’s Worship University, and Choristers Guild.
Kimberly was an 11-year School Board Trustee for Sunnyvale ISD, and served as President of the Sunnyvale Education Foundation. She has been married to husband Blake for 36 years, and has two children, Blake Jr. and Kaitlin. Kim has always loved working with children and teens, watching as they connect and gain confidence while engaging with theatre and music. She has been grateful for the new opportunities to learn and grow through her interactions with the staff and the young adults of I Belong.
Delynda Johnson Moravec, Board Director
Delynda Johnson Moravec, Board Director
Delynda Johnson Moravec, Board Director
Delynda Johnson Moravec serves as the Oncology Staff Chaplain at the Children's Medical Center Plano where she completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education. Delynda also serves as Director of Youth Ministries at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Dallas, TX where she is also a certified Godly Play teacher. Delynda liv
Delynda Johnson Moravec serves as the Oncology Staff Chaplain at the Children's Medical Center Plano where she completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education. Delynda also serves as Director of Youth Ministries at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Dallas, TX where she is also a certified Godly Play teacher. Delynda lives in Lucas with her husband Kip and enjoys musical theater (watching and performing) and everything pink. Delynda has been thrilled to be a part of I Belong for the last few years as a host for I Belong events including summer camp and serving on the Gala committee.