Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosario.
Rosario, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Special Mothers in Action began with a sudden spark, a revelation that hit our founder Rosario Gerena one evening while she was having dinner. In that moment she envisioned a space where mothers of children with special needs could come together, be supported, and empowered. She grabbed a napkin and quickly jotted down the ideas that would become the foundation we know today.
This flash of inspiration came shortly after Rosario had an accident in which she broke her foot. She overcame the challenge with resilience, even with screws in her foot. That same determination fueled her vision for Special Mothers in Action, a foundation dedicated to uplifting families, celebrating children’s abilities, and providing meaningful support for parents navigating the journey of raising children with exceptionalities.
From a sudden spark on a napkin to a thriving community, Special Mothers in Action continues to grow, guided by Rosario’s vision, passion, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not always been smooth, but every challenge has strengthened us. Building a foundation from a sudden spark of inspiration took courage, persistence, and a lot of learning along the way. From navigating the logistics of starting a nonprofit to creating programs that truly meet the needs of families, there have been moments that tested our patience and creativity.
Yet each struggle became an opportunity to grow, to listen more closely to the community we serve, and to refine our mission. Today, those early hurdles are part of what makes Special Mothers in Action resilient, resourceful, and deeply committed to uplifting families and celebrating every child’s abilities.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear a few different hats but at the heart of everything I do is my passion for creating spaces and opportunities that uplift others. As a special mother myself I understand the joys and challenges that come with raising a child with exceptionalities. With Special Mothers in Action I focus on supporting families of children with special needs providing advocacy, guidance, and community programs that celebrate every child’s abilities.
Through A Special Angel’s Touch, I work to ensure that individuals with autism and Down syndrome have access to resources, training, and inclusive programs that help them thrive. I also make sure that parents can continue to be the legal guardians of their children after they turn eighteen. Each organization is built around empowerment, growth, and inclusion and I am proud to see the impact we make every day in people’s lives.
Gaia’s Crystal Healing is very special to me because it combines wellness, creativity, and purpose. I love making handmade jewelry from beautiful quartz pieces to unique designs that connect energy, intention, and beauty. What makes Gaia’s even more meaningful is that all profits go directly to support Special Mothers in Action helping us continue our work and expand the resources we offer to families and children.
What sets me apart is the combination of creativity, advocacy, and hands on involvement in everything I do. I am not just running organizations I am actively shaping programs, designing experiences, and connecting with each family and individual we serve. What I am most proud of is seeing people grow, thrive, and feel celebrated whether it is a child at A Special Angel’s Touch a family at Special Mothers In Action or someone finding a piece of jewelry at Gaia’s that speaks to them.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
When I think about risk I think about faith. Every major step I have taken in my life and in my work required me to believe in something before I could see it. Starting Special Mothers in Action was a risk. I took a simple idea written on a napkin and turned it into a mission that would change lives. Opening Gaia’s Crystal Healing was a risk. I invested my creativity and resources into a business that exists for the purpose of supporting the foundation. Launching A Special Angel’s Touch and helping families navigate legal guardianship and support for adulthood was a risk too. None of these paths came with guarantees.
But the way I see it every risk I have taken has been worth it because it allowed me to help others. I believe that sometimes the biggest opportunities come from the moments that scare us. Risks challenge us to grow and to step into something bigger than ourselves.
I do not think of myself as fearless but I am driven by purpose. If a risk leads to a better future for my daughter and for families like ours then I will always be willing to take that leap.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://specialmothersinaction.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specialmothersinaction/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CsTGTrm34/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialmothersinaction
