Walking through the doors of Buddy Club last month, she held her son’s hand with the practiced calm of a single mom who has learned to manage everything on her own. She checked him in, spoke gently to him, exchanged a few details with our volunteers, and then just as she turned to leave- she paused.

With a small, almost bewildered laugh, she said:

“Well... what do I do with myself now?”

It wasn’t a joke.

It wasn’t sarcasm.

It was honest.

It had been so long since she’d had a night to herself without responsibilities, hypervigilance, and the constant hum of caregiving, that she genuinely didn’t know what to do with the time that suddenly belonged to her.

Families of individuals with disabilities carry a load that most of the world never sees. They are the therapists, the advocates, the protectors, the researchers, the strategists, the calm voice during meltdowns, the night shift, the day shift, and every shift in between. Rest isn’t simply hard to find-it’s often nonexistent.

So when this mother suddenly had three uninterrupted hours in front of her, the freedom felt foreign. Her question, “What do I do with myself now?” was not the sign of an overwhelmed parent. It was the sign of someone finally receiving something that had been missing for far too long:

Respite. Real respite. The kind that breathes life back into tired bones.

Buddy Club is a monthly respite event for individuals with disabilities aged six and up. It exists for families who need a safe space where their loved one will be understood, supported, and genuinely enjoyed.

Every participant is paired with a one-on-one Buddy for the entire evening. These volunteers learn about communication styles, sensory needs, safety considerations, and how to support each unique individual with dignity, joy, and patience.

The atmosphere at Buddy Club is intentionally crafted:

Sensory-friendly activities. Movement spaces. Craft tables. Music. Quiet Sensory Room.

Activities that meet every ability level and interest.

Whether a participant wants to run, rock, paint, stim, sing, build, or simply sit beside their Buddy, there is room for that. There is room for them. And while they are being cared for with thoughtfulness and love, their parents and caregivers are -often for the first time in months or years- given the space to breathe.