As we step into this exciting new chapter as Encircle Families, I want to take a moment to reflect on the legacy that brought us here, the challenges we face today, and the enduring resilience that defines who we are and the families we serve.
Our recent celebration was more than a rebranding event—it was a heartfelt gathering of generations who have shaped, sustained, and strengthened this organization over more than four decades. It was a privilege to welcome back Joyce Millard Hoie, Mary Slaughter, and Betsy Trombino—leaders whose vision and courage established a foundation of support, advocacy, and connection that continues to guide us. Their presence reminded us that this work has always been deeply personal. It began around kitchen tables and in hospital waiting rooms, with parents who didn’t have a roadmap but had one another.
That same spirit of mutual support and community is more critical now than ever.
Today, families of children with disabilities face renewed uncertainty. In a shifting political climate, where inclusion, access, and even basic supports are being questioned or threatened, we cannot take for granted the systems that have taken years to build. We see families navigating not only complex healthcare and education systems but also the anxiety of wondering whether their rights and their children’s futures will continue to be protected.
But if there is one truth that has held from 1979 to today, it’s this: families of children with disabilities are strong, resourceful, and resilient.
That resilience is not passive endurance, it is active, and persistent hope. It’s what fueled parents to form Pilot Parents of Arizona. It’s what led us to become Raising Special Kids as we grew to influence systems and policy. And now, as Encircle Families, it is what pushes us to reimagine how we form circles around families with care, connection, and respect.
We will continue to stand alongside families, speak up for dignity and inclusion, and create communities where every family can thrive. We are not daunted by change; we are made for it.
To our former leaders, to the families who trusted us then and now, and to all who carry the message of this mission forward: thank you. Together, we will continue to encircle families with the strength, support, and hope they need and deserve.
With gratitude and determination,
Christopher Tiffany