About MAKE
For many mothers raising autistic children, the journey can feel isolating. Between therapies, school challenges, medical appointments, and the emotional weight of advocating for your child, it’s easy to feel like no one else truly understands.
MAKE — Mamas of Autistic Kids Events — was created to change that.
Our mission is simple: to create spaces where mothers raising autistic children can connect with one another, build meaningful friendships, access resources, and find encouragement from people who genuinely understand the journey.
Because no mother raising an autistic child should have to walk this path alone.
How MAKE Began
Meet the Founders
MAKE was created by mothers who understand firsthand how powerful connection can be when raising autistic children — and how important it is to have a community that truly understands the journey.
Jordan Bates
Co-Founder & President
Stefanie Gonzalez
Co-Founder & Vice President
Jordan is a mother of two autistic sons, a stepmom, advocate, and co-founder of MAKE. She began sharing her family's autism journey online before her oldest son was even diagnosed, connecting with other parents navigating similar experiences.
As she built relationships with other mothers raising autistic children, Jordan quickly realized how many were searching for friendship, understanding, and support but did not know where to find it. That realization helped inspire the creation of MAKE — a community built to bring mothers together in real life.
Jordan is especially passionate about supporting mothers' mental health and believes that when women find others who truly understand the journey, it can change everything.
Stefanie Gonzalez is a mother, advocate, and co-founder of MAKE. She is also the co-founder and President of Lilly's Voice, a nonprofit inspired by her nonspeaking autistic daughter Lilly.
Through her advocacy and nonprofit work, Stefanie has helped thousands of families access Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, training, and resources that help autistic children find their voices. Through her work with MAKE, she helps create spaces where mothers raising autistic children can connect, share experiences, and feel supported.
Above all, Stefanie is driven by her love for Lilly - her favorite person, her best friend, and the reason behind everything she does.
Mothers gathered at MAKE's first event
The first MAKE gathering - January 2024
Sarah Ortiz • Stefanie Gonzalez • Jordan Bates
MAKE began with a simple gathering.
A few mothers raising autistic children came together looking for something many of us were missing - connection with people who truly understood the realities of navigating autism, therapies, school challenges, and daily life.
What happened that day was something special. Conversations flowed, stories were shared, and phone numbers were exchanged. For many, it was the first time being around a group of people who simply got it.
From that first gathering, MAKE began to grow into something bigger — a space where mothers raising autistic children could come together for friendship, support, resources, and encouragement.
As the community grew, other women helped shape the gatherings and bring the vision to life. One of those early contributors was Sarah Ortiz, who played an important role in helping build the first events and supporting the community as it took shape.
What started as a small gathering has grown into a supportive community built on connection, understanding, and shared experience — led by mothers who understand this journey firsthand.