Today we’d like to introduce you to Rita Stevens.
Hi Rita, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Rita Stevens, Author of Unexpected Patterns of Purpose, Transformational Speaker, and Founder of Silent Voyces. My youngest son suffered from a traumatic brain injury and induced glaucoma leaving him with cerebral palsy and visual impairments. We struggled for years and continue to understand the daily commitment it takes to care for a child with special needs. We often felt silenced and honestly lost on the journey with little to no direction on next steps. This journey led a burning desire for me to share my experiences with other special needs families and help them bridge the gap between where they are and what resources they need to get to the next step on their journey. From this experience, I formed a nonprofit called Silent Voyces. Silent Voyces was designed with core areas to help parents understand how to have a voice to advocate for their child. The Y in Voyces serves as a reminder to each parent that You have a voice and we are here to walk along side of you on this journey. My book Unexpected Patterns of Purpose serves as a reminder of where we have been but also as a teaching memoir to encourage others that unexpected “patterns” are truly designed to help you to unlock the doors to find your life’s purpose
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth transition becoming a founder and a special-needs mom at the same time. Navigating this life-altering experience, my family spent years in uncertainty—feeling silenced, overlooked, and often lost as we searched for the resources and guidance we desperately needed. That painful season lit a fire in me to help other families who feel the same way, to bridge the gap between where they are and the support they need to move forward. And while walking through these changes myself, I’ve had to grow, stretch, and learn how to build impactful programs and handle the administration required to run an organization that truly changes lives.
As you know, we’re big fans of Silent Voyces. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Silent Voyces is more than an organization—it’s a heart-led mission born from my own journey as a special-needs mom navigating years of uncertainty, isolation, and unanswered questions. We exist to support parents of children with special needs by providing comprehensive resources, community, emotional support, and restorative events designed to help them breathe again and feel seen.
What sets us apart is that everything we offer is created with deep empathy, lived experience, and a genuine commitment to meeting families right where they are. Our services include:
Resource Fairs: Connecting families directly with essential services, providers, and funding options.
Connections with Healthcare & Specialists: Facilitating introductions and relationships with trusted healthcare professionals, therapists, and other specialists crucial for a child’s care.
Disability Awareness Events: Educating the wider community and advocating for acceptance and understanding.
Inclusive Community-Based Events: Creating opportunities for the entire family to participate, thrive, and feel integrated into their local community.
Respite Events: Offering much-needed breaks and restorative time for parents and caregivers to recharge.
Safe Spaces: Specialized workshops and support groups where parents feel educated and empowered to advocate for themselves and their children.
We share interviews with other parents, highlighting their journeys as “Stories of Hope.” These stories inspire, motivate, and encourage caregivers, reminding them they’re not alone on this path. Silent Voyces is known for leading with heart first—our compassion, authenticity, and understanding are the foundation of every program we build. We are here to bridge the gap for families who often feel forgotten or overwhelmed. Our services are designed to uplift, equip, and restore hope—not from theory, but from real-life experience and a true passion to change lives, one family at a time.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Perhaps you haven’t been directly affected. You might not have a child with a disability, or you may not personally know a caregiver navigating this complex path.
But here is a truth about community: We are all connected. The strength of our neighborhood, our town, and our world is defined by how we lift up those facing the toughest journeys. When a family feels isolated, overwhelmed, or unheard, it’s not just their struggle—it’s a gap in community.
For special needs families, the greatest barrier isn’t always the medical challenge; it’s the silence and the feeling of being invisible. The long nights, the constant advocacy, the financial strain, and the emotional toll can make them feel like their world is happening behind closed doors.
This is where you come in.
By stepping forward, you become a powerful reminder that their voice, their journey, and their stories matter. Your support translates directly into:
Volunteerism: Lending your time at a Respite Event gives a parent a priceless hour of rest, or helping at a Resource Fair ensures critical information reaches the right hands.
Supporting Specific Events: Funding a meal, sponsoring a Disability Awareness Event, or covering the costs for an Inclusive Community-Based Event allows families to attend without financial burden.
Becoming an Ongoing Supporter: Steady financial gifts enable us to plan consistent support groups, maintain our specialized services, and continue sharing vital “Stories of Hope.”
A Simple Act creates A Profound Impact
You may think your contribution is small, but to a parent struggling to keep it all together, your action is monumental. It says: “I see you. I hear you. You are not alone.”
By supporting Silent Voyces, you are not just funding a program; you are affirming the worth of every family we serve and helping to turn private struggle into community strength. You are helping us ensure that their stories of resilience and hope continue to be told.
Join us in this mission. Help us amplify the voices of these incredible families.
Pricing:
- One-time/Monthly/Yearly
- Community Champion
- Pillar Partner
- Visionary Partner
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.silentvoyces.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SILENTVOYCES
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556589423852
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@inspiredvoyces
Image Credits
Photographer: Luther West
