Live
A Deep Breath: One Family's Journey
April 11, 2026
Bridging Communities is a family-led organization dedicated to fostering connections amog families with children experiencing disabilities in Southern Oregon.
Strength Through Connection
Families raising children who experience disability are living many layers of family life. Some are learning about new systems and supports. Others have been building experience and confidence over time. What often makes the difference is connection with other families who can share perspective, insight, and practical support.
Sierra experienced that connection firsthand when she brought her son to his first Bridging Communities event. At the time, she was still figuring out what came next for her family. She remembers:
"Going through my child's diagnosis process was a very isolating experience. There are just so many areas of life where you have to make adjustments to accommodate your child's needs."
"Like I could finally take a deep breath"
When Sierra and her son showed up at a gaming event, she immediately felt a sense of belonging: “Having a safe space where there’s food, fun, inclusion, and a family feel is priceless,” Sierra said. “Being able to talk with other parents who are experiencing something similar makes a world of difference.”
She remembers the moment clearly: "As a parent, knowing that I suddenly had this network of people felt really good. Like I could finally take a deep breath."
"Having a safe space where there’s food, fun, inclusion, and a family feel is priceless. Being able to talk with other parents who are experiencing something similar makes a world of difference.”
— Sierra
Where families find each other
Founded in 2016, Bridging Communities, a program of Living Opportunities, has grown into a regional connector for families across Jackson and Josephine counties. Through peer support, education, and advocacy rooted in lived experience, the program brings families together, strengthens leadership, and works alongside community partners to build more welcoming and inclusive spaces across Southern Oregon.
Sierra's story is one entry point. Families come to Bridging Communities at every stage, some with a diagnosis, some still navigating early questions, all looking for connection with people who understand. Developmental differences can look many ways, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other conditions that shape how a child learns, communicates, or interacts with the world.
Director of Bridging Communities Stacy Fields explained: "Families already have strength. They advocate for their children every day. Our role is to bring them together so their voices are heard and their value is visible in our community."
"You Put it in your toolbox"
Connection at Bridging Communities extends beyond social gatherings. Families share knowledge, resources, and experiences that help them feel more prepared and supported in the decisions they face.
Sierra describes the network this way:
"You bring what you know to the table, and you also learn what everybody else knows. You walk away with new ideas or information you didn't have before. You put it in your toolbox. And we all do that for one another."
where kids are seen
For Sierra, belonging is not about a single event. It shows up in small, consistent moments.
"A lot of people don't always acknowledge kids," she said. At Bridging Communities gatherings, her son is acknowledged and engaged in ways that make clear he is part of the community. She recalls one moment in particular:
"There was one time when my son said something like, 'I feel really good here,' or 'I feel safe around you.' He doesn't normally talk like that, so it really stuck with me."
Families gather not only for information or resources, but for connection and relationships that continue beyond any single event. Over time, those relationships create a foundation of trust and mutual support. That sense of belonging becomes something families carry into schools, workplaces, and the broader community.
From Connection to Leadership
Advocating together at the Oregon State Capitol
Bridging Communities Director Stacy Fields and Latino Community Engagement Consultant Rosa Belem Ochoa joined Sierra and her son on their first advocacy trip to Salem to speak out against Medicaid cuts. The visit was organized through The Arc Jackson County and included fellow advocates Ryan Dale, Sean Dale, Cainan Molzer, Heather Molzer, Robert Fields IV, Frida Nicole Cruz, Julian Cruz, and Direct Support Professional Katie Veliz. Experiences like this help families move from connection to confidence as advocates for their children and community.
Over time, connection turns into leadership. Many parents who first come to Bridging Communities looking for support begin to step into advocacy, volunteer roles, and broader community leadership.
Sierra is one example. Today, she works for another nonprofit organization supporting families of children experiencing disability, carrying forward the knowledge, confidence, and connections she built through Bridging Communities.
That ripple effect is intentional. Bridging Communities offers training, workshops, support groups, and free family events in English and Spanish, creating pathways for families to deepen their understanding of systems, advocacy, and community life.
"They make it possible for the whole community to participate," Sierra said. "And it wouldn't be the same without that."
The program also plays an active role in regional advocacy. Families have traveled to the state capitol to meet with legislators about policies affecting individuals with disabilities and their families. On one trip, Sierra's son joined her, giving him the opportunity to see firsthand how advocacy works and how decisions that affect him are made.
Building What Lasts
Sierra and her family are regular participants in Bridging Communities gatherings. What began as a single event has grown into ongoing relationships. "We don't ever miss the events if we can help it," Sierra said. "It's really lovely to see people come in and stay and get to know one another."
As Bridging Communities approaches its 10-year anniversary, Sierra reflected on what the program has meant for her family. "I hope Bridging Communities continues to grow and be around for a long time. I know we're just one family, and so many people probably share a similar story."
"It's been absolutely life-changing for us. It's so needed, so valued, and so loved," she said.
To learn more about Bridging Communities, a peer support, education, and advocacy program connecting families across Southern Oregon, visit their website to explore upcoming events, resources, and ways to get involved.