Our History
1986
Martha Wyllie, esp’s founder, holds the first camp for people with developmental disabilities at esp. She noticed an unequal amount of opportunities for children with disabilities, beginning esp as one week of summer camp for only 21 participants. Programs took place in local schools, churches, jails, and community gathering spaces while Martha looked for a place for esp to call home.
1991
esp opens its own building on VFW Drive and starts serving participants in Watkinsville, Georgia. For two decades, esp conducted all programming in this 1,600-square-foot gym, with the number of participants growing each year.
2004
Martha Wyllie passes away, leaving behind a growing legacy and four post-it notes with plans for esp's future. The demand for more space grew as the gym limited the scope of our services and created accessibility barriers.
2006
Laura Hope Whitaker, previously a college volunteer, officially assumes the role of Executive Director. Read her esp story here.
2012
esp identified the need for wrap-around support including family support and year-round programming and created esp 360. esp 360 sparks connection through wrap-around programs to enrich the lives of people of all abilities and their families.
2014
In 2014, esp was gifted a 70-acre camp property in Jackson County, Georgia, with a vision for it to become the country's first universally accessible overnight camp, parent respite center, and recreation facility. As we dream about the future of our Jefferson, Georgia, property, we keep the Hooray spirit alive through our yearly Hooray Camps that take place in Athens and Rome, Georgia.
2016
For two decades esp conducted all Athens programming in a 1,600 square-foot gym, with the number of participants growing each year. In June of 2016, after a $3 million capital campaign, esp opened the doors to a new 14,000 square-foot Activity Building and renovated the original gym. As a result of two new spaces, esp enrollment grew 25% immediately, allowing the ability to serve the hundreds of participants who now call esp home. The same year, esp expanded programs through the launch of Java Joy, a mobile coffee cart that employs adults with disabilities.
2020
esp started its expansion to Atlanta and Rome, Georgia, with their very first program, Java Joy, a mobile coffee cart that employs adults with developmental disabilities. Learn more about Java Joy.
2022
esp opened the Miracle League Complex in Watkinsville, Ga., an extension of the National Miracle League nonprofit. The complex includes a universally accessible baseball field and the City of Watkinsville Playground of Possibilities, encouraging people of all abilities to play side by side with no limitations. The esp Miracle League Complex is home of the Golden Pantry Snack Shack which is open every Saturday in the spring to sell Chick-fil-A biscuits, hot dogs, snacks, drinks, and more! Come by to play at the park, or join us for a Miracle League Game!
2025+
esp is currently located in Athens, Rome, and Atlanta, Georgia, and hopes to expand to three new cities in the next three years and break ground on our Camp Hooray property in Jefferson, Georgia. Interested in bringing esp to your city? Check out our expansion process.
WHO WE ARE
esp — A Hub for People with Special Needs
Living life with a disability, whether it’s an intellectual disability, physical disability, learning disability, or developmental disability, is like sailing across a big ocean. Sometimes the waters are calm, and other times there are big waves. It takes strength, good advice, and the right people to help navigate through.
esp Inc., formerly Extra Special People Inc., is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to serving as a beacon of support for disabled individuals and their families. As one of the leading special needs organizations in the region, esp provides vital resources and assistance to those in need.
We are proud to be recognized as a trusted organization for the disabled population, offering advocacy, support, and inclusive programs for individuals of all abilities. Located conveniently within the Athens, Atlanta. and Rome communities, esp is among the top disability advocacy organizations committed to empowering disabled persons and fostering a more inclusive society. Whether you’re searching for “special needs organizations near me” or “disability organizations near me”, esp is here to provide compassionate assistance and promote the well-being of every individual we serve.
For persons with disabilities, feeling strong and capable comes from being in a community that understands their challenges and celebrates their abilities. Join us in creating such a supportive community!
Mission
esp exists to create transformative experiences for people with disabilities and their families, changing communities for the better.
Vision
esp envisions a world where every person, of every ability, in every community has universal access to transformative experiences.
Core Values
Unrelenting in our mission • Activating the abilities of all • Crazy about celebration • Connecting the unconnected • Compassion freely given • Innovating possibilities • Integrity every day.
Where We are Going
esp is currently located in Athens, Rome and Atlanta, Georgia, and hopes to expand to cities that fit the mission in the future. Want to bring esp to your city? We’re looking for communities like yours! Check out the requirements below.
There is Need for an esp
You're a Champion of Volunteers
Your City Has a College Connection
You Build an Engaged Donor Base
Your City is in a Centralized Location
You Have Community Commitment
Our Main Goal!
esp has learned that advocating for the disability population goes beyond just recognizing them—it’s about creating a strong, caring community. To support individuals with special needs, esp organizes inclusive events that prioritize learning and unity within our community. We work closely with local experts to ensure that people with special needs have access to the right opportunities to grow and succeed, helping them thrive as equal members of society. Our goal is to light their way with knowledge, support, and a strong voice.
esp is a tireless advocate for people of all abilities, fearlessly reshaping communities through inclusive enrichment, engagement, and experiences. We empower everyone we reach with purposeful joy, championing advocacy for the disabled and fostering a world where every individual can flourish.
Meet the Team
Get to know the dedicated individuals behind our organization, dedicated to empowering people with special needs and disabilities. Our team is passionate about working together to create a more inclusive society, and we’re proud to be part of a network of organizations for people with disabilities.
From our staff to our volunteers, each member of our team is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Join us in our mission to promote empowerment and inclusion for all!
Core Values
