We believe every person is valuable and deserving of dignity and respect. With appropriate assistance and loving guidance, all are capable of enjoying a full, active, and purposeful life.
ABOUT US
Coventry Reserve is a day program that provides life enrichment opportunities for adults with special needs, once they no longer qualify for public school programs. Our programs promote engaged and creative learning, and are structured to address the mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of our participants. Our low staff-to-participant ratio supports a safe and happy learning environment.
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Our Mission is to respect, challenge, and support adults with special needs through creative and therapeutic programs, in a Christ-centered environment.
Our Vision is to create a beautiful Christ-centered community where adults with special needs can experience a full, active, and purposeful life.
In 2002, a small group of parents began serving three adults in a private home. The goal was simple: a place to continue learning and making friends in a safe and cheerful environment. Pursuance of our vision has been continuous and steady. We moved to our current beautiful country setting in 2005. In 2009, the property and building were purchased, and in 2014 we expanded capacity again with a multi-purpose Life Enrichment Center. In 2015 we implemented our horticulture and art programs to supplement our core. In 2019 we purchased a single-family residence in Wylie and began overnight respite care for our families.
In May of 2023, Coventry Board of Directors approved the purchase of the adjacent property just north of Coventry. This property includes a 5 bedroom house, a separate building behind the house, and 9.2 acres of land. The original house in Wylie sold in August, and proceeds have already been applied on the balance of the loan. The new respite house has been renovated, and Respite service to our families continued, without missing a single weekend! Coventry is collaborating with Powered To Move, a nonprofit already providing Adapted Fitness to our day program and Summer APM’d camp, to relocate their headquarters to our campus. The remaining acreage is targeted to involve some long-term residential options in the future.
We encourage you to come visit the Coventry Reserve and see the atmosphere of acceptance, hope, and encouragement we have created.
The Coventry Reserve is located on seventeen beautiful, country acres in St. Paul, Texas, just north of downtown Wylie. Coventry Reserve currently owns the Life Enrichment Center, Respite House, Community Center, and surrounding 11 acres.
As soon as you turn onto the gravel drive, you can see the Coventry building and colorful, attractive flower gardens. We believe our entrance establishes our peaceful and calm setting. We project an organization that is respective and caring of our environment and surroundings.
Coventry Reserve's interior space was specifically designed with our participants in mind. The calming environment allows for optimal learning experiences. The open areas that flow into each other, create a wonderfully inclusive and heartwarming environment.
Our plans for the future include progressing our current programs and adding culinary classes. Considering the needs and desires of our families, we also anticipate establishing additional respite and residential options.
Coventry continues to grow and thrive in excellence because of the shared vision of parents, friends, churches, and businesses in the community. Our program is funded through tuition, the sale of product, donations, grants, and sponsored events. We have the backing of a Board of Directors who are invested in our vision and a team of volunteers who freely give of their time and expertise.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Taking responsibility and making the best of any situation are two of Darlene’s strongest traits.
Darlene’s education and career path were interrupted when she was 21, by the birth and then the devastating, life altering illness at 13 months of her first child. Fulfilling the belief that Anthony could enjoy and engage in a quality life, even though he had extensive and irreparable brain damage, became her passion and life purpose. Over the years, she championed for families living with special needs, and volunteered and assisted in creating programs to make a difference at her church, public school, special Olympics, equestrian riding programs and ultimately led others in developing the day and respite programs known today as Coventry Reserve.
Professionally, she has worked in interior design private practice, with up to eight staff decorators and as a leader in design, sales and motivation training for a North Texas regional team, building it from 25 to 50 franchise owners. She was on the team that helped design for the Birmingham House Restoration Project in 90-91 in Wylie, and worked with the team created to help inspire business owners and create the vision for the Renovation of Downtown Ballard Street. While totally enjoyable and fulfilling, it involved lots of time, planning and travel. In 1992, she finally obeyed her heart and “retired” to be “just mom” to her four children. After Anthony graduated in 1993, she became his full-time caregiver/teacher/therapist for the next 10 years. In 2002, a couple of friends enthusiastically joined her in beginning a day program in the Blakey home. The Coventry Reserve officially organized as a non- profit in 2003.
Darlene’s community volunteer involvement includes Wylie Women’s League, Chamber of Commerce, the founding committee of the Wylie Historical Society, and as co-chairperson for the inaugural Wylie Christmas Home Tour in 1991.
She finds projects relaxing and she enjoys taking on challenges, and the thrill of planning the next new adventure. She married her high school sweetheart 52 years ago, and he remains today, her steadfast partner in all of their life’s big adventures.
Derrell co-founded Certified Foundation Specialists, a 28-year-old company that serves the DFW area in the repair of residential and small commercial foundations and site drainage improvements. Derrell has been a volunteer and member of the board of directors for Coventry Reserve since its founding in 2003.
After building a successful interior design franchise business with his wife in 1977, they continued to expand and in 1984, he became franchise sales manager under the regional director. In 1985, Derrell purchased Decorating Den North Texas Regional Franchise, and built their territory into a successful region with over fifty franchises. In 1988, Derrell joined the national company based in Bethesda, Maryland as a divisional manager, traveling and working with new regions in franchise sales and startups.
Derrell left the company in 1992 due to excessive travel, and to pursue more time with their young children and to accomplish personal goals. He then joined his brother, helping to grow his brother’s foundation repair business. In 1994, they established a new corporation, Certified Foundation Specialists, and Derrell became president and he continues to lead the marketing and sales for the company.
In conjunction with his business pursuits, he has assisted his wife, Darlene, in founding and building Coventry Reserve as both a volunteer and board member.
Regina was introduced to Coventry before there was a Coventry. Because of her friendship with Darlene, Gina was at Darlene’s kitchen table when everything began. It is through her friendship with the Blakey family for the last 50 years, that Gina has become a champion and passionate advocate for the special-needs community, and helped develop Coventry into the expanded program that it is today.
Gina has been married to her husband Barry (a former board member) for 48 years. Together they have two adult children, Brian who is married to Julie, and Kelly who is married to Nick. They also enjoy being grandparents to Brooke, Bradley, Brandon, Bryce, and Allybeth.
Gina has worked at the family business, Barnett Signs for 50 years. Her guiding life verses are: Proverbs 3:5- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”, and Ephesians 2:10- “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Joe retired from GEICO in 2014 after a 42-year career. For the final 16 years of his career, he served as an Assistant Vice President with responsibility for Underwriting, Sales and Service operations. His experience at GEICO also included financial and operational auditing and systems development. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Management. Joe also attained his designation as a Certified Public Accountant in Maryland in 1986.
Joe’s prior Board experience includes serving as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility in 2012-2013 while at GEICO.
After retirement in 2014, Joe’s volunteer experience included several years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate with CASA of Collin County, advocating for the interests of children removed from their homes and under the care of CPS. Joe and his wife, Nancy, began volunteering at Coventry in 2016 and Joe joined the Board in 2019.
Tresi assists families with estate and special needs planning. As an advocate for her own family members, she became active with the disability rights and advocacy community. Her special needs law practice has grown out of these experiences and her desire to help other families with loved ones impacted by disabilities.
Tresi serves as the current President of the Collin County Bar Association, Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Disability Rights Texas, and serves on the Board of Directors of several organizations, including Coventry Reserve, Estate Planning Council of North Texas, and Dallas Estate Planning Council. She also serves on the Advisory Council of My Possibilities in Plano and the Communities Foundation of Texas.
Tresi frequently gives presentations and workshops about special needs trusts and guardianship for parents, attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors and educators. Tresi and her husband are active members of Watermark Community Church in Dallas.
Bobbie was introduced to the world of special needs earlier and more personally than most, through her younger brother Mike. She has supported in his endeavors in Special Olympics, and was his swim instructor while she was in high school. She has seen Mike through many challenges, including seizures he began having at age two.
Bobbie has always found time to volunteer in the children’s program at her church. She helped establish a preschool at a church is Southern California, as well as collaborating with a community outreach program called Children’s Theatre Workshop. She continued in Atlanta, teaching and planning annual Vacation Bible Schools. She has even taken her volunteer opportunities to Cozumel, Mexico, working with Cuidad de Angeles, a home for orphaned children. As recent retirees, she and her husband Mike are located in Murphy, and currently consider Grace Chapel Church of Christ in Allen their church home. They are proud parents of three adult children, who have blessed them with four grand-children.
Bobbie applies her 40+ years of financial experience in managing the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of Directors in her capacity as Treasurer.
Sharyn first became interested in working with people with special needs after hearing Joni Eareckson-Tada speak at her church in the mid to late 90’s. She applied for a part-time temporary position in their then new Dallas office, and never left.
Sharyn has volunteered with many different organizations serving people with disabilities, including volunteering at race events, special needs talent shows and respite programs. She has also served on the advisory board for the Allen Animal Shelter, and did volunteer fundraising and grant-writing coaching for different nonprofits, including Kairos, Victory Flows and Family Resource Counseling Center.
Sharyn is married to Mike King, who she affectionately refers to as “Mr. Wonderful”, and together they care for their very spoiled fur baby, Marley.
Matt and his wife, Heather, have been married for 24 years. They have 5 children and 3 grandchildren, all of whom live in the DFW metroplex.
After graduating from Texas A&M Commerce, Matt began teaching and coaching middle school, high school and eventually elementary-aged children. During his time in education, it was very important to Matt that children with special needs were included, and felt successful in his program. He left the education field to begin a career with Chick-Fil-A, and he currently owns and operates two franchises located in Wylie and Murphy, Texas.
Continuing his interest in mentoring young people, Matt teaches Junior High Sunday School at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, Texas.
Matt’s favorite verse is Ephesians 6:7. “With goodwill, doing service as to the Lord, not men, I believe it is important to keep our focus on things that are eternal such as helping others. This verse reminds me to work to the best of my ability, remembering that it is the Lord I am working for.”
Matt joined the Coventry board in June, 2023.
Beth is married and has three grown boys, aged 34, 27 and 25. Her middle son was diagnosed as Autistic at age 4. Her mother, who will be 85 in June ’24, lives near her in Magnolia, Arkansas, where her husband is on faculty at Southern Arkansas University. Beth also keeps a home in Plano, Texas, where she stays when working locally.
Beth has written grants for college professors and academics seeking research funding. More recently, she worked as a corporate trainer for both Safeway and Kroger supermarkets in the DFW area, training all members of the retail pharmacy staff. In 2014, she became an independent business owner, leaving corporate America to form Curate Finance, providing her the autonomy and flexibility to structure solutions for families with special needs children.
Beth has extensive volunteer experience, beyond her service to the Board of Directors at Coventry Reserve. She also currently serves on the Board of Columbia County Communications Foundation. She previously served on the Board of Best Buddies Texas from 2016-2018. She volunteers regularly at the Magnolia Methodist Church in Arkansas, as a kitchen worker for the StewPot Ministry. She also teaches financial literacy through community outreach classes in both Arkansas and Texas.
Beth believes all persons are valuable and hold valid opinions, regardless whether they align with her own, and believes open, honest communication can solve most issues. Beth joined the board in June 2023.
STAFF
Darlene Blakey
Executive Director
Co-Founder
Sharon Wainscott
Business Administrator
Sherri Rapp
Program Director
Deborah Crosby
Outreach Coordinator
Traci Huffman
Creative Skills Director
Mandy Grigsby
Creative Skills Instructor / Respite Director
Debbie Arledge
aBridge Lead Instructor
Helene Wenck
Horticulture / aBridge Instructor
Carmen Bailey
Brain Building Instructor
Carter Harty
Brain Building Instructor
Nadine Burke
Art/Creative Skills Instructor
Laura Mowry
Creative Skills Instructor
Angie McIntosh
Respite Staff
Jodie Maurer
Respite Staff
Jerri Penney
Respite Staff
Dean Evans
Kiln Room
