This Ties That Bind Us is sponsored by Matt The Carpet Guy.
LEWES, Del. - What started as a small Facebook group for parents seeking support has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for families of children with special needs.
Amanda Willis, founder and president of It's Better Together, says the organization was born around 2023 after a group of mothers realized many families were searching for connection and understanding.
"The big picture all started with a bunch of moms just kind of looking for connection," Willis says.
Since becoming a nonprofit, the organization has raised thousands of dollars to host community events and provide resources for families navigating life after a child's diagnosis.
Willis tells CoastTV that parents often receive little guidance beyond a diagnosis, leaving many to navigate challenges on their own.
"So when we can kind of shrink it down and make it a little bit more manageable, and we can just fit in a little accommodations here and there," Willis says. "Sometimes it really doesn't take much. It's just a willingness to work with us and talk to us."
The group's latest event, an ice cream social, offered face painting, arts and crafts, sensory-friendly play spaces and ice cream from Hopkins Farm. Organizers shared that the activities were designed to create an environment where children could comfortably participate while parents connected with others facing similar experiences.
For many families, organizers say, the gathering was about much more than ice cream. They shared that what really matters most is being able to spend time with each other and connect with other parents in an environment that supports their child.
Corrine Dietze, whose daughter has autism, says being involved with the organization has been life-changing.
"You feel a sense of, you don't feel so alone," Dietze says. "You don't feel so overwhelmed because you have other people who are going through the same things."
Dietze says she hopes events like the ice cream social continue to raise awareness and understanding within the broader community.
"My hope for the future is that more people will understand and have the patience to know that children with special needs, their brains work differently," she says. "Just to be more open and accepting."
Organizers say they hope to continue expanding opportunities for families to connect, emphasizing that building community can be just as important as providing resources.
