Parent to Parent
You Don't Have to Navigate This Journey Alone
Supporting families, empowering parents
Port Townsend Coordinator:
Laura Mikelson
P2P@olympicneighbors.org
At Olympic Neighbors, we understand that caring for a family member with disabilities or special needs can feel overwhelming at times. Our Parent to Parent (P2P) program connects you with experienced parents and caregivers who have walked a similar path and can offer understanding, encouragement, and practical guidance.
We empower participants by placing their needs and experiences at the center of all we do, honoring individualism, promoting advocacy, and nurturing personal potential.
What is Parent to Parent?
Parent to Parent matches families new to disability or special needs with experienced veteran families in one-to-one supportive relationships. While Olympic Neighbors primarily focuses on supporting adults with disabilities, our Parent to Parent program welcomes families caring for individuals of all ages.
How it Works
1. Contact
Reach out to our coordinator, Laura Mikelson, at P2P@olympicneighbors.org
2. Get Matched
We pair you with a mentor family based on similar experiences, disabilities, location, and specific concerns.
3. Connect & Support
Your mentor family provides emotional support, practical advice, resource information, and celebration of milestones.
4. Grow Together
Over time, many participants find that the relationship becomes mutually beneficial, creating lasting friendships and expanding support networks
PARENT TO PARENT WORKS TO PROVIDE:
Parent Matching: 1 to 1 matching of new parents with trained, experienced parents, based on similar diagnosis and family issues.
Training for parents who want to become Helping Parent peer mentor volunteers.
Culturally relevant services through ethnic outreach.
Information and education about disabilities.
Personal support, social support and engagement.
Referrals to services in the community.
E-newsletter from Arc of Washington Parent to Parent.
All individuals including the public, staff, volunteers, and board members are welcome to join the group as participants, with the full understanding that their time and involvement is not considered part of their primary role with ON. All participation in P2P is considered voluntary, on personal time, and at the sole discretion and desire of the individual. Individuals should not act as representatives of ON while participating in P2P.