Why This Exists

To connect families with resources, reduce caregiver isolation, encourage self advocacy, and create opportunities for sharing practical knowledge and lived experiences.

This community was created by a parent/caregivers for parents/caregivers.

Because caregiving can be isolating.

Because finding resources for children with disabilities can feel overwhelming.

Because many of us carry invisible responsibilities that few people see.

Because support should not depend on income, background, family structure, beliefs, identity, or the level of your child's diagnosis.

Because sometimes the most valuable resource is another person saying, "We've been there too."

Most importantly, this community exists because no one should have to navigate their journey alone. Finding childcare can be one of the biggest barriers to connection. Our gatherings welcome loved ones and are designed to give caregivers the flexibility to step away, provide care as needed, and return to the conversation when they're ready.

Community Values:

• This community is built on respect, inclusion, kindness, and shared humanity.

• Families come in many forms, and all are welcome here.

• This is not a faith based group, a political group, or an advocacy organization. This group does not providing legal, finanical, educational, or medical advice. Our focus is on connection, community, shared experiences, and resource sharing among caregivers and families.

• We recognize that every family has a unique journey, background, belief system, culture, structure, and lived experience. While we may not always share the same perspectives, we can share respect for one another.

• This is a space where families can ask questions, share resources, celebrate successes, discuss challenges, and support one another without fear of judgment.

Our common ground is simple:

• We care for and support children and families.

• We believe everyone deserves dignity, respect, belonging, and access to community.

• We are here to learn from one another, help one another, and remind one another that no one has to navigate this journey alone.

• This community is built by parents and caregivers who are sharing their time, knowledge, and lived experiences. We may not always get everything right, but we are committed to listening, learning, making corrections when needed, and treating one another with respect.

Hi, I'm Lari.

First and foremost, I'm a Mom and Caregiver. Like many of us, I never planned on becoming a service coordinator, advocate, researcher, scheduler, project manager, provider liaison, record keeper, and crisis manager, but somewhere along the way, those roles and more became part of everyday life.

Over the years, I have volunteered in my children's classrooms, served with parent organizations, participated on community boards, supported adaptive recreation, coordinated services, attended countless appointments and meetings for my child, and spent more hours than I can count searching for resources and information to help my family.

Along the way, I discovered something important:

Many families are carrying similar responsibilities, often behind the scenes and without recognition. We spend so much time helping others that it can be difficult to find support, connection, and community for ourselves.

That's why I wanted to create this space. Not because I have all the answers. Not because I'm an expert. But because I believe there is value in shared wisdom, lived experience, and families helping families. Because I've been that caregiver walking into a support group and embraced and understood.

My hope is to create a welcoming, inclusive community where caregivers can exchange resources, share experiences, celebrate successes, discuss challenges, and remind one another that none of us have to navigate this journey alone. I know from expierence finding childcare or respite care has been a barrier for me and I don't want that to be a barrier for others. 

My most important title is Mom. Around here, that stands for Maker of Magic (sometimes Miracles!).