About Us
Bainbridge Island Special Needs Foundation (BISNF)/Stephens House, located at Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island, serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from all over Kitsap County. We provide an affordable day program filled with structured activities, both at Stephens House and in the wider community, that provide ongoing opportunities for active participation and social interaction.
Our Mission
At Stephens House, we are dedicated to enriching the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community. We aim to create life-enhancing opportunities by providing engaging and supportive programming on Bainbridge Island and throughout Kitsap County to prevent loneliness and isolation in adults with IDD.
Vision Statement
We aim to create an inclusive, supportive, and joyful community for adults with IDD and their families. We are dedicated to providing compassionate care, fostering continuous learning and curiosity, and promoting a sense of safety, respect, and belonging. By empowering every member of our community, we strive to enrich their lives with happiness, growth, and fulfillment.
Our History
Bainbridge Island Special Needs Foundation, a non-profit organization, was incorporated in 1999 by a small group of parents whose children with disabilities were enrolled in the Bainbridge Island school district. As a number of these young adults were ready to transition out of school to adult life, they faced the challenge of accessing activities outside of their homes. When the Stephens House, an historic building in Winslow owned by the Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, became available to rent it presented an ideal opportunity.
In 2002, the full-time program at Stephens House began. For the first number of years activities were site-specific with participants making cards and soaps to sell and housing one participant’s business, Trepp’s Donuts. Around town, many referred to Stephens House as the Donut House. Over time, the program grew and changed to offer more varied activities each day, both on-site and off, enabling participants to engage more in the local community of Bainbridge Island as well as greater Kitsap County. Today, Stephens House serves more than 16 individuals who engage in a variety of experiences that provide opportunities for social engagement, independence, and personal growth.