Families gathering at a community park event

A Day of Connection — Hope Torchlighters Community, 2024

Our Vision

A community built around families.

Hope Torchlighters began not as a program, but as a shared promise — that neurodiverse families deserve a village that truly understands. We founded this organization on a single principle: support should feel, above all, like belonging — only stronger.

For years, our founders worked alongside families navigating the complexities of special needs care. We saw a need for compassion and advocacy — respite care in place of isolation, bilingual resources in place of barriers, and a philosophy that places the unique joy of every child at the center of our mission.

Today, Hope Torchlighters remains a community-driven nonprofit. Our reach is intentionally personal. Our commitment is intentionally unwavering. Every initiative — from our inclusive family events to our dedicated caregiver support — is designed with one clear goal: that every family who connects with us feels more empowered than when they arrived.

Hope Torchlighters leadership team supporting families

Our Leadership Team, 2023

Every family deserves a village that feels like home — only better.
02THE HEARTS BEHIND HOPE

THE
ADVOCATES

A dedicated team serving neurodiverse families through respite, advocacy, and community connection. We are here to ensure no family walks their journey alone.

SARAH JENKINS — PROGRAM DIRECTOR

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

SARAH JENKINS

Sarah leads our respite initiatives with a heart for neurodiverse families, ensuring every caregiver finds the support and community they deserve.

MARCUS CHEN — ADVOCACY LEAD

ADVOCACY LEAD

MARCUS CHEN

Marcus bridges the gap between families and essential resources, navigating complex systems to secure the advocacy our community needs to thrive.

ELENA RODRIGUEZ — BILINGUAL OUTREACH

BILINGUAL OUTREACH

ELENA RODRIGUEZ

Elena ensures our resources reach every corner of the neighborhood, providing vital bilingual support to bridge language barriers for all families.

The Collective
+ DAVID PARK, EVENT COORDINATOR+ MAYA SINGH, FAMILY LIAISON+ JORGE LUNA, PARTNERSHIP MANAGER

Interested in joining our mission or learning more about our programs?

Get in touch

Our Trusted Network

Building a stronger community

We are proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to supporting neurodiverse families through advocacy and care.

Community Health Alliance
Inclusive Education Hub
Neurodiverse Family Network
City Respite Services
Advocacy First Group
Youth Empowerment Collective
Featured in:
Nonprofit TodayCommunity Impact NewsFamily Advocacy JournalInclusive Living Magazine
Local Caregiver Support
Bilingual Resource Center
Inclusive Play Spaces
Family Wellness Partners
Community Outreach Alliance
Special Needs Advocacy Org