Who We Are

Our Story

Built by families, for families — and for every hero who deserves a place to belong.

Our Story

A place to belong, beyond the school years

Xceptional Heroes was founded by two moms — Jennifer Silverton and Teresa White — and named for their sons, Aidan and Tyler, the original Heroes behind it all.

The idea was born after Tyler graduated from high school in 2015. It was a shocking realization that there were little to no opportunities for inclusive interactions and engaging activities once he left the safety and structure of school. Aidan experienced the same after his graduation in 2017.

Xceptional Heroes was created to meet that need — to give young adults a safe, engaging, and fun environment where they can foster friendships and independence while honing life skills. Today that happens at the HUB, our permanent home in Mid-Michigan, with weekly activities like fitness, arts and crafts, bingo, game nights, and animal therapy.

Just as important, we're out in the community — Detroit Tigers and Flint Firebirds games, restaurant outings, and trips across Michigan — where real inclusion happens shoulder to shoulder with our neighbors. And we're just getting started: our next chapter is Hero Village, a residential community where Heroes will live and thrive.

The result is a community that feels like family, where everyone gets to be the hero of their own story.

What We Believe

Our values

  • Inclusion

    Every ability is welcome. We build activities around what people can do, not what they can’t.

  • Friendship

    Belonging changes lives. We create the space for real, lasting friendships to grow.

  • Independence

    Through life skills and practice, our Heroes grow in confidence every single day.

  • Joy

    Fun is the point. Laughter and celebration run through everything we do.

Meet Our Founders

The people behind Xceptional Heroes

The heart of our organization is the families who started it.

  • Jennifer Silverton

    Co-Founder & President

    Jennifer is a former TV news reporter and anchor — depending on your age, you might recognize her name as Jennifer Levine. She’s worked at television stations in Indiana, Los Angeles, Flint, and Detroit. Jennifer, her husband Kimball, daughter Camryn, and son Aidan live in Mid-Michigan. After Aidan was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, she stayed home to care for him and then brought her communication skills to the special-needs community. She is the former President of the National Fragile X Foundation, and also enjoys reading, exercising, and traveling.

  • Teresa White

    Co-Founder & Vice President / Treasurer

    Teresa is employed with the federal government and is a Navy veteran, serving from 1989–1993 in San Diego, CA during the Gulf War campaign. She is the mother of four sons: Tyler, Christian, Cody, and Zachary. When she isn’t working her day job and overseeing XH administration and behind-the-scenes operations, Teresa enjoys golfing, softball, fishing, campfires, the outdoors, and spending quality time with her husband, Greg, and her family.

Board of Directors

Guiding the mission

Alongside our co-founders — Jennifer Silverton (President) and Teresa White (Vice President / Treasurer) — these volunteers steer Xceptional Heroes and keep us accountable to the community we serve.

  • Chris Huff

    Secretary

  • Sara Naddeo

    Trustee

  • Carol Garrison

    Trustee

Make a difference

Your support powers bowling nights, fitness classes, arts & crafts, and the friendships that grow at every activity.

Donate Now Volunteer With Us

Tax-deductible · 501(c)(3) nonprofit · 100% goes to our Heroes