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Our mission
We Are Brave Together is a nonprofit organization that provides respite, community, and mentoring for mothers caring for children of any age with disabilities, special needs, or other medical or mental health challenges.

What is We Are Brave Together?

Our Leadership

Officers

Jessica Patay, President
Fryda Gonzalez, Treasurer
​Lara Durna, Secretary

Board of Directors

Lora Ackermann, Vice President
Lara Durna
​Stephanie Fleck
Fryda Gonzalez
​Jessica Patay
​Anthony Rivelio

​Meet the Board

meet our founder

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Jessica Patay is crazy-passionate about authentic Girl-Time.  She has always fostered deep, life-giving friendships and has been intentional about her ever-widening community of girlfriends.  Her rock of a husband of 23 years, Chris, says she is best friends with everyone. She is a huge promoter of Ya-Ya-Sisterhood-like get-togethers, full of laughter and silliness and history. Yet what she treasures most of all, is the in-depth sharing of hearts and stories and struggles and triumphs. She has been planning girls’ trips for 22 years, and since 2012 has planned inspiring “Girlfriends’ Retreats.”  As a Special Needs Mom, this passion carries on as she gathers women to encourage them, mentor, them, inspire them, and validate their intense and precious journeys. 
 
Her own story as a mom of a child with special needs began in 2003 when her second son, Ryan, was born and diagnosed with a rare, genetic disorder, called Prader-Willi syndrome. Within two days of receiving this diagnosis, she received a phone call from a mentor mom from the Prader-Willi California Foundation.  Immediately she felt relief and comfort knowing she was NOT ALONE. Thankfully, Ryan is sandwiched in the middle of siblings Luke and Kate, both fierce and loving cheerleaders and helpers to Ryan.
 
If Jessica could show up on every mother’s doorstep, with flowers, wine, chocolate, and a gorgeous banner that says, “You are not alone,” she would. And you never know, she just may do this.  The We Are Brave Together organization and movement was born out of this desire and heart.
A Non-profit Organization
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