About Us

Silverton Mainstay started serving our community in 2022, but our story began years earlier. When Carson Ortega and Noah Norris were born in 2000, both with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their mothers formed a fast friendship. Together they navigated Indoor Park, story time at the library, and the beginning of the boys’ education in a specialized preschool. As the boys moved through their school years, meeting new teachers and peers, their moms started a different conversation around a deeply important question. “What will happen with our boys when they leave the structure and support of the schools? What will life look like for them?”

Carson and Noah soon found out that exiting the public school system meant leaving behind the built-in social structure of attending games and eating lunch with friends. While their typical peers went on to develop new social systems revolving around work, college, or other community activities, Carson and Noah found limited opportunities for connection outside the home. For adults with I/DD, these social systems are hard to access. They often feel isolated and alone.

Spurred on by this stark reality, a group of local professionals (along with Carson and Noah’s moms) worked to create a solution. Knowing that all people thrive when they connect with others, we envisioned a safe space for regular activities, healthy fun, and a sense of belonging. Silverton’s community responded with support, and Silverton Mainstay was born! During that first summer of 2022, we met outside at a local park and welcomed a handful of participants. In the years since, our membership has steadily grown. We continue to offer an inclusive and enriching environment where participants, caregivers, volunteers, and community members can connect, grow, and thrive.