Embrace Abilities

Embrace Abilities Empower. Advocate. Connect. https://linktr.ee/embraceabilitiesms We’re here to celebrate differences and ensure every family feels a true sense of belonging.

Established in February 2024, we’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit building an inclusive community for individuals (3–21) with different abilities and their families on the MS Gulf Coast. Embrace Abilities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, founded by Bridgett Lee in 2024. Inspired by lived experience, our mission is to create a welcoming, inclusive community where children, teens, and young adults with different abilities—and their families—can thrive. We proudly serve families navigating a wide range of disabilities, including genetic disorders, developmental and intellectual disabilities, neurodiversity (like autism and ADHD), and rare conditions. Our vision is a future where every child is valued, respected, and empowered—no matter their diagnosis or background.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐨:
• Host monthly inclusive events, sensory-friendly activities, and social meetups
• Offer programs like Play & Connect meetups, Coffee with Caregivers, and Sibshops, with a focus on whole family support
• Provide caregiver resources, peer support, and advocacy for families navigating all types of disabilities—ensuring everyone feels seen, supported, and included.
• Partner with local clinics and professionals to expand access to therapy, education, and community connections

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐖𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞:
• Children and young adults (ages 3–21) with a wide variety of abilities—including but not limited to autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, Fragile X, cerebral palsy, rare genetic conditions, and more—plus their families, caregivers, and allies across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡:
• All participants, regardless of age, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at events for safety and support
• We strive to accommodate allergies, accessibility, and communication needs—just let us know during registration
• For those aging out of our youth programs, we offer guidance and referrals to community resources like the DREAM program

At Embrace Abilities, we believe diversity, acceptance, and empathy make our community stronger. Join us as we work together to build a more inclusive world for everyone!

09/27/2025
⏰ 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧’ 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! 🍂𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 so we can get an accurate headcount a...
09/27/2025

⏰ 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧’ 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! 🍂

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 so we can get an accurate headcount and guarantee enough supplies for everyone! If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so ASAP at our Membership Toolkit link.

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫!

We can’t wait to see everyone! 💛



𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://embraceabilitiesms.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/405

The Top Nine with the most nominations move to our voting round AND NOMINATIONS CLOSE MONDAY! Please consider taking a m...
09/26/2025

The Top Nine with the most nominations move to our voting round AND NOMINATIONS CLOSE MONDAY! Please consider taking a moment to nominate us! SMSmiles.com/Caring4Community

Has your favorite Gulf Coast Nonprofit been nominated yet? Check below + Nominate at SMSmiles.com/Caring4Community

The Top Nine with the most nominations move to our voting round AND NOMINATIONS CLOSE MONDAY!

If you see your favorite below, nominate them again!
If you don't see your favorite nonprofit listed...nominate them now!

Back Bay Mission
Bay Ratz Marching Battery
Behind Biloxi Blue Inc.
CASA of South Mississippi
Trident Foundation - Krewe of Neptune - Krewe of Neptune
Derick Hall One Percent Foundation
D'Iberville Historical Society
Do More Gulf Coast, INC
Downstage Productions Theatre
Elijah's Closet
Embrace Abilities
Feed My Sheep - Gulfport
Feeding the Gulf Coast
Friends of Jackson County Animal Shelter
Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi
Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence
Gulf Coast Eagles #4535
Homeless Help Alliance - Coastal MS
Health and Prescription Services
Heiwashinkai Mississippi
INFINITY Science Center
Jenna Robinson Charities
Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport
Junior Auxiliary of Biloxi-Ocean Springs
Junior Auxiliary of Hancock County, MS
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
Make-A-Wish Mississippi
Misfits & Underdogs
Mississippi Aquarium
Mississippi Coalition for Animal Protection
Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA
Buddy Ball
MSU Extension - Head Start
Moore Community House
Mississippi Action For Progress Head Start
Mississippi Center for Autism
North Bay Civitan Club of D'Iberville & St. Martin
Open Doors Homeless Coalition
Pink Heart Funds
Prepare HER Now
Safe Kids Gulf Coast
Southern Arts Alliance
Stella Maris Explorers Club
The Link Family Resource Center
Tired Dog Rescue
TrainTastic Interactive Model Railroad Museum
USO Louisiana - Mississippi
DHS Warrior Pride Band Boosters
Wild at Heart Rescue

09/25/2025

He’s at it again! Come check out Your Barefoot Neighbor’s live stream and support some amazing causes if you can. It takes a village—or in this case, a neighborhood. 🧅💕

Cruisin’ into Fall is almost here! 🍂 Please be sure to register through our Membership Toolkit link—registration closes ...
09/24/2025

Cruisin’ into Fall is almost here! 🍂 Please be sure to register through our Membership Toolkit link—registration closes this Sunday so we can get an accurate headcount.

What to Expect:
• Doors open at 10:00 AM
• Story time
• Sensory activities
• Refreshments
• A sensory-friendly Cruisin’ experience with cool cruisers to explore up close

Event Details:
💜 For differently-abled kids & young adults ages 3–21 and their families
🤝 In partnership with Victory Behavioral Center
🎟️ Spaces and supplies are limited—please only register if you plan to attend.

Register here: https://embraceabilitiesms.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/405

Tag a friend who’d love this! 💛

Quick favor that can make a big difference!South Mississippi Smiles is donating $5,000 through their Caring4Community pr...
09/23/2025

Quick favor that can make a big difference!

South Mississippi Smiles is donating $5,000 through their Caring4Community program, and nominations are open NOW. Please nominate Embrace Abilities as your nonprofit pick—it takes under a minute.

What to know:
• Nomination window: Sept 22–29, 2025
• Voting: Oct 3–20, 2025
• If it asks for our website: https://embraceabilitiesms.org/
• We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 99-2607094)

Your nomination helps us keep inclusive, no-cost programs going for kids and families across the MS Gulf Coast. Please nominate, share, and tag a friend to help! Thank you! 💛

Nominate here: https://smsmiles.com/Caring4Community?fbclid=IwY2xjawM_fTxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0RlhMb0Y5S2I1NnFSbEtmAR4P9eKTEl2Qc2roQi-2yaPZ-y0Zpc5ndpgfdIJ-CIN7T-LI01uDpqAETyf8tA_aem_IpvpNwAR_7B_TRXQ5PHBNg

Sharing again.
09/23/2025

Sharing again.

We are building our Volunteer Social and PR Team and we are grateful to be guided by Brittany Bright of The Influencer League, whose experience includes campaigns with national brands, as we establish this effort.

We are looking for a creative on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This is a chance to use your skills to support a powerful mission while gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit communications for children and young adults ages 3 to 21.

We’re especially seeking:
✨ Graphic Design
✨ Content Scheduling
✨ Video Editing (Reels/TikTok/Shorts)
✨ Copywriting

This is a great opportunity to:
✔️ Expand our social + media presence
✔️ Add impactful nonprofit work to your resume/portfolio
✔️ Learn alongside experienced mentors
✔️ Flexible, remote-friendly volunteer commitment

How to get involved:
Email your resume/portfolio to brittany@theinfluencerleague.com
Learn more about our mission: https://embraceabilitiesms.org/

Volunteer opportunity unpaid • Flexible commitment project based or set hours • Remote friendly with preference for Mississippi Gulf Coast volunteers • Portfolio credit

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗥 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮.

09/23/2025

Join us this Saturday, September 27th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for our free virtual training Building Bridges through Everyday Advocacy: Supporting Families as They Learn How to Advocate at Home, in School, and in the Community.

This virtual training, held via Zoom, is for families of children and youth with disabilities. Registration is required and a link to join will be sent out prior to the event.

Parents that participate in the entire training will receive a stipend!

Topics include:
- Understanding advocacy styles
- Communication & conflict resolution
- Preparing for & participating in IEP meetings
- Organization & record keeping
- Supporting children & youth in developing self-advocacy skills
-Transition planning and the future

Register for the training here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/wyzuqqf/lp/2eb7e0b7-09e6-48aa-ba6b-01cb45c76ecc...

For more information, contact Leslie Junkin at (662) 251-5599, or email leslie@mspti.org.

Cruisin’ into Fall is almost here! We have 3 to 4 classic cars confirmed for Saturday, October 4, and we would love a fe...
09/22/2025

Cruisin’ into Fall is almost here! We have 3 to 4 classic cars confirmed for Saturday, October 4, and we would love a few more to make our sensory-friendly morning extra special. If you own a classic or know someone who does, tag them below or share this post so they can join us at St. Paul East Campus from 10 AM to 12 PM. Thank you for helping our kids and families feel celebrated! 🚗🍁

Questions? Message us.

TEXT onion to 41444 or go to 1for20.com to donate! 🫶
09/21/2025

TEXT onion to 41444 or go to 1for20.com to donate! 🫶

09/21/2025

Your Barefoot Neighbor does so much good for his community! Please go support his goal and these amazing nonprofits if you can! ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙💜

Address

P. O. Box 1594
Ocean Springs, MS
39566

Website

https://embraceabilities.my.canva.site/

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