Our Story
Therapy Volunteers International (TVI) was founded in 2020 by Karen George and Quinn Niego as a natural extension of their work building one of Chicago’s top-rated multidisciplinary therapy practices.
Karen’s journey began more than a decade earlier in Chicago, where, as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, she set out to provide children with the support they needed to thrive. With Quinn’s strategic vision alongside her clinical expertise, their practice, CST Academy, quickly grew. Today, CST Academy operates seven locations across Chicago and its suburbs, with a team of 200+ dedicated professionals delivering exceptional care to families.
As their clinics flourished, so did their desire to create a broader impact. Recognizing the need for quality services in communities far beyond their own, Karen and Quinn drew on their experience and insights to establish Therapy Volunteers International.
At TVI, our mission is simple but powerful: to bridge gaps in care and bring essential therapeutic services to underserved communities around the world. Grounded in the lessons learned at CST Academy, we strive to build sustainable programs that empower children and families globally.
We believe that expertise, compassion, and collaboration can drive meaningful change. And we invite you to be part of this mission – helping us expand our reach and transform lives, one community at a time.
TVI’s Journey
2021 – Founding Year
- Therapy Volunteers International officially founded, with a mission to expand access to pediatric therapy services in underserved communities.
- Formalized partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Belizean Ministry of Education.
- Opened a permanent clinic site in Belize City, generously gifted by the Special Education Unit.
- Deployed the inaugural volunteer team, including a speech therapist, occupational therapist, and behavioral therapist, to begin providing therapy services.
2022 – Growth & Community Engagement
- Launched the first therapeutic summer camps, delivering intensive, multidisciplinary services to 20+ children with the highest need.
- Expanded volunteer participation to include short-term service trips, increasing support for children, families, and educators.
- Conducted the organization’s first fundraising campaign, raising funds to provide stipends for long-term volunteer clinicians.
2023 – Program Development & Expansion
- Introduced structured fieldwork and clinical training programs for graduate students in therapy disciplines.
- Delivered continuing education workshops for local professionals in partner communities.
- Strengthened community partnerships across the U.S. and Central America.
- Initiated district-based therapy outreach, providing 4-6 week cycles of consultative services for families throughout Belize.
- Hosted the first occupational therapy capstone student, supporting caregiver education and resource development for special education teachers.
2024 – Strengthening Impact & Sustainability
- Expanded clinical services to include additional consultations and regular caregiver training.
- Welcomed the first cohort of occupational and physical therapy students to complete Level I fieldwork and clinical requirements.
- Collaborated with the Ministry of Education on the national inclusive preschool pilot program, supporting teachers of children with disabilities across Belize.
- Transitioned to an episodic care model to promote long-term program sustainability and local capacity-building.
2025 – Present Day
- Provided clinical education experiences for hundreds of graduate students in occupational therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral therapy.
- Hosted over 250 short-term clinician volunteers, staffing annual therapeutic summer camps and outreach programs.
- Established partnerships with over 20 universities for ongoing clinical placement and academic collaboration.
- Currently serving hundreds of children and families each year through clinics, schools, and community-based therapy programs.
Our Mission
Our Focus
