2023 HONORARY ENCOURAGE LEADER

Each year at S’Mores and Pours, Camp Encourage honors someone special in our community that exemplifies that which we believe is essential when supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.

We are delighted to announce that this year’s very deserving Honorary Encourage Leader is Marena Mitchell.
Marena Mitchell is a speech-language pathologist and owner of Bringing Therapy Home, a pediatric therapy center that provides speech therapy, language therapy, social-language services, occupational therapy, special education, sensory support, and music therapy to children from birth to 18 years of age. Services are provided at two center-based locations in Overland Park and Gladstone, Missouri.

Marena opened Bringing Therapy Home in 2013 with the goal of celebrating the child and collaborating with families. Prior to starting a private practice, she worked in schools and wanted more direct time with families. She knew with parent collaboration, children would make faster and more consistent gains.

Marena is passionate about providing neurodiversity affirming therapy, parent collaboration, helping others understand strategies for executive functioning, social emotional development, and collaboration with school and community teams.

Marena was awarded the 2021 Kansas Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year and the 2022 ASHA Clinical Achievement Award representing the state of Kansas. She is also Early Start Denver Model Certified.

When she isn’t working, Marena enjoys attending concerts, treating Kansas City like she’s a tourist, and spending time with her husband of 14 years, her 12 year-old son, 8 year-old daughter, and her two golden retrievers, Ricco and Dixie.

We look forward to honoring Marena Mitchell at S’Mores and Pours on Friday, October 21, 2023 and hope that you can join us!