ABOUT US

Brighter Journeys is a 501C3 non-profit organization that  provides words of comfort, direction to resources, and the intention to provide tangible support to those families. One unique quality of this foundation is that Brighter Journeys is not specific to any one disability or diagnosis. Brighter Journeys is an inclusive organization seeking to brighten the journey of any individual with special needs. 

This world is not designed for families that include an individual with special needs. Difficulty is found in navigating through everyday life.  Lisa Platko Urbanski and Bernice Simonds Sando, founders of the organization, have faced the challenges of raising their children and fully understanding the battle facing other families in our area. This inspired them to give back to the community and combat this obstacle. 

In just two years Brighter Journeys  has raised over $100,000 helping numerous organizations and individual families. These funds and resources were raised through annual expos, egg hunts, and fundraisers, as well as generous contributions from members of the community. Currently Brighter Journeys is compiling special needs resources from the North Eastern Pennsylvania area to create a collective directory for special needs families. As Lisa reflected on her experience after her son was diagnosed with partial trisomy16 and autism she stated, “I was lost and overwhelmed, I didn't know the next step.'' The directory’s purpose is to provide a guide to families with a special needs member. The directory will be available on Brighter Journeys' website and available in the office of all resources included in the directory. This will help make that next step less overwhelming and scary. 

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Video: Created by: coalcrative                 Published by: Wilkes-Barre Connect