Skip to main content

Cookie settings

We use cookies to ensure the basic functionalities of the website and to enhance your online experience. You can configure and accept the use of the cookies, and modify your consent options, at any time.

Essential

Family Wellness & Respite Support Program for Neurodiverse & Special Needs Youth

Avatar: Ashley Melo-mamon Ashley Melo-mamon
Idea Submission for The People's Money:
The Pura Vida Foundation proposes the Family Wellness & Respite Support Program, a healing-centered initiative supporting caregivers of neurodiverse and special-needs youth. Many families raising autistic or developmentally delayed children face chronic exhaustion, isolation, limited services, and overwhelming caregiving demands. This program fills a critical gap by offering weekly structured respite sessions for children and wellness, emotional support, and cultural healing spaces for caregivers. Children participate in sensory-sensitive, supervised activities led by trained staff and behavioral-support specialists, creating safe opportunities for social engagement and emotional regulation. At the same time, caregivers join monthly wellness circles, mental-health workshops, mindfulness practices, and cultural-healing sessions that strengthen resilience and reduce burnout. Families receive resource navigation, including IEP support, benefits guidance, therapy referrals, and advocacy assistance. The program also hosts family wellness events, cultural gatherings, and restorative community days that reinforce bonding, connection, and stability within the home.
What is the problem your idea aims to address?
Caregivers of special-needs youth often experience: • chronic exhaustion • isolation and emotional strain • long waits for support services • culturally disconnected care • burnout from 24/7 responsibilities • overwhelming IEP, school, and medical demands Many report feeling unseen by support systems and unable to find rest. This program fills a critical gap by giving caregivers respite, emotional support, resources, and community connection, while their children receive sensory-safe programming
Which groups does your idea focus on? Select all that apply
Youth (under 24)
People with Disabilities
Parents

Confirm

Please log in

Welcome to Participate, the Civic Engagement Commission's interactive website to engage New Yorkers in participatory budgeting. Please create an account to interact with all features available and make sure your voice is heard! You need an NYC.ID account to use Participate. If you already have an NYC.ID account, you can log in with it. If you don’t have an NYC.ID account yet, you’ll need to create one first. Once you have an NYC.ID, you can log in and start using Participate.

Share