Rotarians welcome Mendi Cooley of Westfield Family Network

Submitted by Ron Fall
Westfield Rotary Club

The Westfield Rotary Club welcomed Mendi Cooley of the Westfield Family Network (WFN) as our guest speaker last week. The Westfield Family Network is a community initiative dedicated to supporting families raising loved ones with disabilities.

Funded through a grant from the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, the mission of the Westfield Family Network is to connect people and organizations, elevate voices, and mobilize support to build a more welcoming and accessible Westfield – where everyone belongs and no family ever has to navigate alone.

Cooley shared that her work is both professional and personal. As a parent of a son with Down syndrome, she has firsthand understanding of the daily experiences and obstacles families navigating disability encounter.

Her leadership team brings a deep combination of lived experience and professional expertise to the network’s work. The network offers a wide range of practical and social support, including inclusive events, access to resources and services, educational opportunities, and community-building programs. A key initiative is the Family Connector Program, through which trained WFN members walk alongside other families. These members provide support one-on-one or through “Family Circles,” which are both WFN-hosted gatherings and existing community events where WFN shows up to offer connection, information, and resources.

WFN also engages in advocacy efforts and collaborates with over 60 community partners, including the Westfield Advisory Council on Disabilities, the City of Westfield, Westfield Washington Schools, and the Westfield Rotary Club.

Membership into the Westfield Family Network is open to all in our community, and the work of the network is focused on families supporting loved ones with disabilities.

An upcoming event is scheduled with the Westfield Advisory Council on Disabilities for June 20: a Nature Sensory Walk on the Midland Trace Trail from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Westfield Family Network is supporting this event and community volunteers are welcome.

Reach out to Mendi directly with any needs, ideas, or questions at mendi@coolabilities.org.

To learn more about the Westfield Family Network, visit WestfieldFamilyNetwork.org.