What a year it has been! So much has happened this year that has highlighted the need for support for families of people with disabilities, especially siblings. While it has been a challenging year, we have much for which to be grateful. The SLN community has come together to support each other through difficult times and strengthened our bonds with each other. We have held more virtual gatherings to connect and provide peer support. We started a new group related to grief and loss. We re-committed our organization to racial equity and social justice. We co-sponsored a sibling panel for BIPOC siblings. We held workshops for Latina mothers of children with autism. We launched our Sib2Sib mentor program in two states. And, we connected with groups around the world to learn from each other and strengthen sibling support globally, including in Canada, UK, Japan, and India.
In the coming year, we have important work that lays ahead. We are planning our 2021 National Conference for June 18-21, 2021 in Jacksonville, FL and Virtually. Our conference will be very interactive providing space for siblings to share and learn. This year’s theme is Strength Through Connection, which encapsulates the work of the SLN during this time. We are excited to include a Virtual option for the very first time so more people can participate in our conference! We hope you will join us and help spread the word. For more details, visit the SLN Conference page.
I invite you to support the SLN by donating so we can do more to support brothers and sisters. Investing in siblings benefits people with disabilities, their entire families, and the larger community. Your donation will make a difference. Your tax-deductible donation will have an important impact. You can easily donate online or by mail. Click here for more details on how to donate.
We are doubling every dollar we receive, up to $3,500, through the end of December! I am thankful for our past Board members, Shea Tanis and Rachel Patterson, and our current Board Chair, Nikki Donnelly as well as anonymous sources for generously funding this match. Please give what you can and know your donation will be doubled. Thank you!
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!
Warmly,
Katie Arnold
Executive Director of SLN
