Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Hernandez.
Hi Maria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
This year marks ten years with VELA. The thing is I did not intend to start a nonprofit, I thought that being a speech and language pathologist was my path– and it was for a couple of years, but mostly to get me to where I am now. I always knew that I needed to show up in spaces that were in the intersection of language and disability. In my role as a therapist, I did just that, But in my work with families, a third element showed up – inequity. The families I worked with were not being given access to becoming their child’s greatest advocates or experts. They were being given information about a diagnosis and then being sent off to stumble through the confusion of special education, healthcare, social service agencies and more – no road map, no community, no support. This was glaringly obvious in my work with families and I finally decided to do something about it- taking every free class I could on starting a nonprofit and then making it happen. Ten years later, here we are- over 1,000 families served per year. The best part? We are just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Creating a nonprofit is so challenging- in ways that you don’t know until you are doing it. Having to learn how to do all the things so you can design, innovate and scale with integrity, intention and in response to community need. You have to be able to think short term and long term all the time. It is always on my brain- how to adapt, grow, improve, show up and be who families need us to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of VELA. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
VELA is an Austin-born nonprofit that empowers families of children with disabilities through courses, support and community building. Through our programs, we ensure that families have the knowledge, empowerment, resilience and community to become their child’s greatest experts. Because it benefits us all when everyone thrives and everyone should have the right to an ambitious education, compassionate healthcare and inclusion.
One of the things that I love about VELA is that we are sharing knowledge and skills that once activated, are owned by that family forever. It is not about what we do, but what the family implements- and the changes are huge. From ensuring that a child gets evaluated, to accessing the right services and supports, to being included in classrooms, to planning for a life of self-determination, joy and community post high school. Our team is empathy in action- they teach, support, hold space for and dream with families in the most generous way possible. And then you have this ripple effect that happens- once a family has what they need to create a bright and beautiful life for their child, they immediately want to create that for another family.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Nothing is achieved alone. VELA is because of everyone that has grown it. Our amazing Board of Directors and our Compassionate and Creative Staff- but mostly the families we walk with. They are the ones we thank for shaping us and growing us the most.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@velafamilies.org
- Website: www.velafamilies.org
- Instagram: @VELAFamilies
- Facebook: @VELAFamilies
- Twitter: @VELAFamilies
