
Embrace Abilities began with a simple Facebook post in February 2024, sparked by founder Bridgett Lee’s wish for her daughter, Emma Kate, to find friendship and belonging. Like many parents of children with different abilities, Bridgett knew both the joys and the isolation that can come with the journey. When Emma Kate struggled to connect at school, Bridgett reached out to other families—and discovered she wasn’t alone.
That first call for connection brought families together for a park meetup in March 2024. The response was overwhelming: children who’d never been invited to play before made friends, and parents found support and understanding. Inspired by Emma Kate and the community’s need, Embrace Abilities officially became a nonprofit in April 2024.
Today, our mission remains rooted in Emma Kate’s story—creating a place where every child and family feels seen, supported, and included. From parent-led meetups to inclusive programs and caregiver support, Embrace Abilities continues to grow—because when families thrive, our whole community grows stronger.
Embrace Abilities builds a welcoming community where families of all abilities can connect, learn, and grow together—through free, family-centered programs and community partnerships, ultimately removing barriers so every person can belong.
We envision a Gulf Coast where inclusion is the norm, not the exception—and every family feels seen, valued, and connected to communities defined by acceptance, accessibility, and belonging.
At Embrace Abilities, our values aren’t just words—they are the foundation of everything we do. As a parent-led nonprofit, we know that creating an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive community for children, young adults, and families with different abilities takes more than programs and events. It takes heart, courage, and a shared commitment to lifting each other up.
We invite you to discover what drives us—and to join us in building a community where every family feels seen, valued, and empowered.
We believe every child, young adult, and family deserves a space where they feel valued, accepted, and supported. Differences are celebrated, and friendships are built in an environment of understanding and respect.
We are committed to helping children, young adults, and families reach their full potential by fostering confidence, independence, and meaningful connections in a nurturing space.
We bring families together to share experiences, uplift one another, and build a network of understanding—ensuring no one ever feels alone in their journey.
We believe finances should never be a barrier to connection and support. That’s why our programs and resources are always free and accessible to all.
We stand with families, advocating for a more inclusive world. Through education, awareness, and collaboration, we strive to create a future where every child is valued and supported.
At Embrace Abilities, our strength comes from a dedicated team of professionals and parents who share a vision of inclusion, support, and opportunity for all. Our leadership combines unique expertise and lived experience, shaping programs that truly meet the needs of children, young adults, and families.

Bridgett founded Embrace Abilities to create the supportive community her daughter, and so many other families, deserved. As Founder and Executive Director, she leads with heart, vision, and determination to build inclusive programs, meaningful connections, and whole-family support throughout the community.

Nicki brings expertise in behavior analysis, clinical leadership, and family advocacy to Embrace Abilities. As a PCM Certified Instructor, she supports efforts to expand access to training, practical tools, and community-based support for families and professionals.

Kelsey uses her background in special education and leadership to support Embrace Abilities’ mission and vision for inclusive community connection. She is passionate about helping ensure families have access to meaningful opportunities and supportive resources.

Iliana brings experience in special education, program development and fundraising to support the growth and sustainability of Embrace Abilities. She also plays an important role in grant writing efforts that help expand future opportunities for our organization and the families we serve.

Maryjo is an active parent and advocate who brings fresh ideas and helps guide parent-led initiatives within our organization. She also facilitates our Embrace the Journey support group, bringing a compassionate approach to supporting families through grief, caregiving, and emotional wellness.

Jenny leads outreach, helping connect more families with Embrace Abilities and strengthen our growing community. As a parent advocate and through her work supporting high school students with disabilities, she brings both lived experience and professional insight to the families we serve.

Angela serves as Treasurer and brings a background in financial compliance, fraud investigation, and regulatory interpretation. As a parent advocate, she also brings lived experience and a strong commitment to accountability, inclusion, and long-term sustainability for the families we serve.
At Embrace Abilities, we believe donors deserve clear, honest information about how funds are used to support children with different abilities and their families. We are committed to transparency, responsible stewardship, and building a strong foundation for long-term impact in our community.
In 2025, Embrace Abilities continued investing in inclusive programs, family support, and long-term sustainability. Below is a snapshot of our 2025 financial report.
Our 2025 budget reflects our commitment to keeping programs accessible, meaningful, and free for the families we serve.
Our 2025 budget reflects our commitment to keeping programs accessible, meaningful, and free for the families we serve.
Financial figures are based on our 2025 financial reports and filed tax return. Outreach and communications are included within management and general expenses on the tax return and are reflected here using the detailed expense breakdown while matching filed totals.
Embrace Abilities is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and files an annual Form 990-EZ to maintain tax-exempt status and meet federal reporting requirements. This helps ensure accountability and gives donors confidence that our organization is operating with care and transparency.