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very parent knows what it is like to have your first child and realize that there is no instruction manual for taking care of a child. They simply do the best they can do and if they’re lucky they have friends and family to offer advice, support and help if needed.

But what if those new parents first child is a special needs child? The family and friends still want to help, but they have no practical experience and can’t really offer much support. There are online resources, but they can only give technical not “real life” solutions. And they certainly can’t offer any empathy or a shoulder to lean on when everything seems so difficult.

Southside Support was founded in 2011 by  Raissa Chandler who was facing the challenges of raising autistic twins. She decided to reach out and see if there were other parents in the area facing the same challenges. It started as a facebook group, sharing information about schools, medical providers, and successful therapies. It was also a place where caregivers could share challenges, problems, and victories with other people who had been through or were going through the same things.

Over time, this online “virtual village” expanded into a community of more than 7,000 parents, caregivers, and resource providers who participate in a moderated support group focused on families in south metro Atlanta. Today the group is no longer limited to autism; it welcomes families and individuals with a wide range of disabilities and special needs, from developmental and intellectual disabilities to complex medical conditions.

Southside Support grew out of the lived experience of local parents who struggled to find connection and practical help while raising children with autism and other developmental differences. Their mission is now to empower individuals with special needs and their families by connecting them with resources, fostering inclusive events, and creating ongoing opportunities for education and peer support so that people of all abilities feel valued in their communities.

Beyond online support, Southside Support offers a variety of in person programs that are especially relevant to families in and around Fayette County. These include monthly support groups for caregivers, where parents and other family members can connect face to face, learn from one another’s experiences, and reduce the isolation that often accompanies caregiving. The organization also hosts educational sessions and training opportunities that cover topics such as navigating school services, understanding medical or therapeutic options, and planning for longterm support, giving local families practical tools to advocate effectively. Inclusive social gatherings and events provide safe, welcoming spaces where individuals with disabilities can enjoy community activities that are adapted to their needs rather than feeling left out or overwhelmed.

One of Southside Support’s most distinctive resources is SNAZ, its mobile Special Needs Accommodation Zone, which appears at community events across the south metro area. This trailer is outfitted with accessible toileting and changing areas, space for diapering and tube feeding, and a calm, sensoryreduced environment where individuals can take a break if they become overstimulated, along with a play or “meltdown” area. By bringing SNAZ to festivals and public gatherings in places like Fayette County, the organization helps make local events more genuinely inclusive and manageable for families who might otherwise stay home.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Fayette County, Southside Support relies on volunteers, donors, and community partners to sustain its mission. For families in Fayette County and neighboring communities, Southside Support functions as a one-stop hub for information, emotional support, and inclusive community life, helping caregivers feel less alone and individuals with disabilities more fully included where they live.

You can get involved with Southside Support in several ways, from direct volunteering at events to offering professional skills or financial support. For information about how to help, go to SouthsideSupport.org