EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH — In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Miranda Georgetown Riley was determined to create a safe space for her daughter with autism. That sparked a movement that has since brought together families from across the nation. It’s how the Magnolia Rose Foundation was born.
“It all started with a run,” Riley recalls. “In April, which is Autism Acceptance Month, I wanted to find something to get involved in. But there was nothing going on because it was right after COVID. So, I hosted a color run as our first event.” That event marked the beginning of a fast-growing foundation dedicated to understanding and including those with autism.
One of the most touching aspects of the story is the playdates between Magnolia and her neurotypical friend, Esther, which started “while they were still in the womb.” Despite their differences, the girls have formed a bond that goes beyond their unique challenges. Riley decided to bring these playdates to the community and started hosting playdates for children with exceptionalities.
“Having a relationship between a neurotypical child and a child with an exceptionality shows them empathy and understanding. They learn to accept each other for who they are.”
The playdates, which began in July of 2022 with just seven children, have grown to include over 120 kids by the summer of 2024. These events are designed not only for children with autism but also for those with a range of disabilities, including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and more.
“We invite neurotypical kids and autistic kids, neurodivergent children, anybody with an exceptionality. It’s all about learning through playing together, understanding each other’s differences.”
The foundation hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including themed playdates like the upcoming “Pretty Princess Picnic” and an “Island Christmas.” These events provide a much-needed community for families who often feel alone due to the lack of inclusive places.
“Some families come from as far as Jackson, Mississippi, because there’s nothing like this where they live,” Riley tells UWK. “It’s about creating a space where these kids can just be kids, where they can play and have fun without worrying about being judged. We’re building a community, one playdate at a time.”
Riley plans to continue to grow in size and continue to host different types of events, including an upcoming resource fair on December 5th at Southdowns Pre-k Center, as well as on January 30th at Baker Municipal Center.
This fair is designed for families to get information from a variety of different resources that help the special needs community, including but not limited to ABA providers, state agencies, and financial planning.
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