Serving for a Change: Bringing Together a Community for Disability Advocacy
Individuals with disabilities are approximately 4.1 times more likely to face loneliness than those without. Sixty one percent of people with disabilities and seventy percent of youth with disabilities report feeling chronically lonely and socially isolated. Despite the alarming numbers, this aspect of having a disability often goes unnoticed by the general population. Correlated with a decline in cognitive abilities and increased health risks, loneliness significantly deteriorates one’s quality of life and is a threat that needs to be more addressed, especially among high-risk populations like those with disabilities.
Home Run Hitters International, founded by Dr. Deborah Carr, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps address this issue by increasing opportunities and providing fun experiences for individuals with disabilities affecting communication or motor control. Their activities are built around celebrating everyone's unique abilities, gradually developing their proficiency in communication and setting them up for success in their daily endeavors. In doing so, HRH provides a comfortable environment for program participants to build lasting friendships and cultivate their confidence.
Their most popular activities for individuals with disabilities include their summer camp “Camp M.I. Way,” weekend getaway-style vacations, community service events where program participants help raise money for a cause, a baseball-themed club, and several miscellaneous events at schools.
HRH has been serving for 14+ years in the Houston area. Of the families they serve, 69% are from low to moderate income households, 78% are from minority communities, and 35% are from single parent homes. Because every program offered is free of charge, HRH helps remove financial barriers while providing meaningful experiences that have lasting impacts.
Dr. Carr, the founder, works tirelessly to plan events and develop the program. Her determination is extremely admirable, as she has grown HRH’s programs immensely and inspired several, bringing change to so many lives. She inspired my passion for disability advocacy and spurred a desire to be part of greater change.
I first joined this organization three years ago, as a volunteer for their summer camp (Camp M.I. Way) and getaway-style vacations (Away Weekends). This quickly turned into one of the most meaningful and fulfilling commitments in my life. Supporting our campers and guests throughout Camp M.I. Way and Away Weekends has been incredibly fulfilling, strengthening my passion for disability inclusion. Watching participants fill with joy and build confidence has shown me firsthand how powerful inclusive communities can be. Over time, I eventually transitioned into the role of a Junior Director for the organization, where I aid in training new volunteers and contributing ideas for future programs. During my time here, HRH has truly shifted my worldview and profoundly shaped my understanding of disability advocacy.
Intending to support HRH more, I helped plan an annual fun run that raised $850+ for HRH. Inspired by that experience and deciding to combine it with my love for tennis and racquet sports, I decided to take on the challenge of being the primary organizer of a new fundraiser.
So, this past March, I hosted a community pickleball open-play fundraiser to support HRH because it had profoundly shaped my view of disability advocacy. Planning the event nearly took three months. I had to carefully plan for coordinating logistics, promoting the event, securing participants, organizing refreshments, and managing registrations. Still, the most difficult part of the experience was garnering support and participation. Many people expressed interest but weren’t able to attend due to busy schedules, others hesitated because they were uncertain about the level of participation, and some simply never saw the announcements.
Instead of being discouraged, I pushed through to make this event a success. I contacted my school and the PTO and had them post about it on their socials, told friends, spread the word in school group chats, reached out through local magazines, and created opportunities for people to donate even if they couldn’t attend.
In the end, 30 attendees came together to play across 6 pickleball courts, enjoy snacks, and support a cause dedicated to disability inclusion, raising $2,000 dollars for the organization! Though there were several bumps along the way in organizing and planning this fundraiser, the experience taught me valuable lessons about advocacy. A good idea is rarely enough to create change, and persistence is necessary even when progress is slow because it can be difficult to capture public attention.
Organizing this fundraiser remains one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. It challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, strengthened my leadership, and showed me that advocacy often starts with small community actions that slowly ripple beyond a single event.
The fundraiser became an opportunity to spread awareness in addition to raising money. Every participant who attended learned about HRH’s mission, and every donation contributed toward adaptive equipment and future programs at HRH, investing towards a more accessible and welcoming community.
As a National Youth Advocacy Corps Fellow for the 2026 Cohort, I plan to expand my advocacy efforts by expanding opportunities for disability advocacy and working toward a future where every individual has the chance to thrive and connect!