On Jan. 28, the Infinite Heart Initiative (IHI) hosted a networking mixer bringing together service providers, and advocates dedicated to supporting families of individuals with special needs. The event highlighted the importance of connection, inclusion, and practical resources.
Personal stories inspire action
For many attendees, involvement with IHI comes from personal experience.
Aysha Peterson of LIFEPLAN CCO NY shared, “I actually have a younger brother who has an intellectual disability. I have two nephews who are on the spectrum. I have a cousin who also has a disability, so it’s very prevalent in my family, so I just wanted to help.”
Peterson works with families to navigate services for individuals with developmental disabilities. “We help them get applications… Then we connect them with care managers… just helping everyone reach their voice,” she said. Covering 38 counties in New York State, Peterson emphasizes outreach:
“There are a lot of families who don’t know about our services… I go around the community… I help them get connected to our intake department.”
Building connections in the special needs community
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Carlyn Karver-Wesenberg, a mother of two special needs daughters, highlighted the isolation many families face: “One of the things I find with the special needs community is we are all alone… We don’t get to see other people who have kids with disabilities. When we connect like this, we create opportunities.”
She praised IHI’s founder, Wendy Javier, for her work creating inclusive experiences: “She’s like, expert, because she makes opportunities… I had someone show up to the cafe… and we got a play date going for one of the guys.”
Karver-Wesenberg emphasized the importance of community participation: “Our kids should not be hidden in our houses. They should be part of this community.”
Wellness and resources for families
Katie Hoss of Elemental Wellness provides yoga and sensory classes for individuals with disabilities.
“The hammocks are sensory relaxation for the nervous system. Everyone comes in excited, and they leave very relaxed.”
Hoss works with IHI to help families access her classes through self-direction funding: “It’s really nice that we can all grow together… letting the awareness of this community get out there. That’s really the passion—to offer growth for the special needs community.”
Practical support for vulnerable populations
Janell Santna-Sims, a master-level social worker and founder of Self Care JS Incorporated, shared her mission to reduce harm from substance use disorders.
Motivated by personal loss, she provides practical tools and supplies: “We’re asking for hats, gloves, flushable wash cloths… Socks as little as $1.25 at Dollar Tree can help my organization and bring awareness.”
She stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of substance use and taking action in the community: “Just say no does not work. We have to actively be out here. We have to actively be talking to people, and we have to get to the root of why they’re using so that we can reduce the harm, and eventually they will go into a drug program.”
Expanding awareness and support
The mixer demonstrated a shared commitment among attendees: connecting families, providers, and community members can break isolation, provide meaningful opportunities, and create inclusive spaces. Attendees emphasized practical ways to support families—from navigating services to offering social opportunities, wellness programs, and harm reduction resources.