About Families Like Ours Support Center
Our Mission
Families Like Our's mission is to support, encourage, and strengthen individuals and families, to achieve their full potential as members of our community and to facilitate the building of relationships between guardians who have children with developmental disabilities and other members of the community.
Our mission is about more than just support—it’s about empowerment. We help families feel seen, heard, and equipped to face the unique challenges of raising children with special needs. Our programs provide not only practical assistance but also foster resilience, encouraging families to approach each day with renewed confidence. Families who join Families Like Ours gain essential resources, compassionate support, and, most importantly, a renewed sense of hope and belonging within a community that understands and celebrates their journeys.
About us
Families Like Ours is focused on special needs families and the daily challenges they face. Our goal is to help families gain access to all community resources available to them with the help of our staff. We strive to decrease feelings of isolation and bring people together. Our mission is to help other families like ours.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead
Our Programs
We offer a variety of program services and fun events to meet the needs of families in our community. From parenting support and support groups to high-risk case management.
Our Support Groups
Check out our up-to-date support group listings on our Facebook page.
Rania Markham, MSW, LCSW
Rania Markham, Executive Director and Founder of Families Like Ours is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She has been an advocate for Southern Berkshire families for the past 15 years. Rania runs programs that support parents and caregivers of children with disabilities or special needs. In 2023. in recognition of her contributions, she was named “Rising Star of the Berkshires” by the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Leadership Award.
In 2024, she was also awarded a "Reach for the Stars" award by the Department of Disabilities (DDS) for her selfless contributions. This same year, she also received a Citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives by Smitty Pignatelli.
Rania Markham’s commitment to supporting families and children in the Southern Berkshire area is commendable, and her work continues to make a positive impact on the community.
"I started Families Like Ours to help more families like mine. We need support, we need to feel included, even if it looks a little different for our families" -Rania
Support Families Like Ours Mission
Your contribution helps us create a stronger community by empowering families in need. Your contributions help those in need beyond imagination, your support of any donation from the smallest to the biggest is changing lives in our communities. The link for donations is pay.familieslikeoursinc.com
Families Like Ours Programs & Additional Information
Programs for Children
Volunteer Opportunities
Programs for Children
Our programs are designed to help children develop social skills, build self-confidence, and learn new things. We are dedicated to providing support and resources for families in our community. Join us in creating a strong and connected community for families of all backgrounds and sizes. Every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and play no matter their abilities.
Support for Parents
Volunteer Opportunities
Programs for Children
We offer a variety of programs for parents, including support groups, help filling out intake forms and connecting families to resources, and educational workshops.
Special Needs Virtual Support Group every Thursday at 11 am
Raising a child with disabilities can be overwhelming. This weekly virtual group provides validation, resources, and the opportunity to build friendships with people who face similar challenges.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
We welcome volunteers of all ages to help us with our programs and events. Whether you want to mentor a child, help with fundraising, or assist with administrative tasks, we have a role for you. We welcome all disabled adults to come help out during our events.
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”
~Oscar Wilde
Donation Opportunities
Donation Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Families Like Ours began as a small network with just a few families meeting on weekends, but with the support of people like you, we’ve grown into a lifeline for families who might otherwise feel alone. We’re thrilled to now have a permanent space where families can come not just for resources but for connection and understanding. Every new family adds to our strength and unity, bringing stories of resilience and hope. Your generosity has been the heartbeat of Families Like Ours, transforming us from an idea into a thriving community. Thank you for being part of this journey. The link for donations is pay.familieslikeoursinc.com
Contact Us
Donation Opportunities
In the Paper
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our programs and services, please don't hesitate to contact us. We would love to hear from you!
Please reach us at rania@familieslikeoursinc.com
call 413-854-3971
In the Paper
Donation Opportunities
In the Paper
For parents of kids with autism, help is here. BY HEATHER B ELLOW The Berkshire Eagle
https://tinyurl.com/Berkshire-Eagle-Rania-Markham
GREAT BARRINGTON — Rania Markham knows what it’s like to feel isolated, to stop going places with a child, to not know what to do. She knows so well how parents, siblings and families struggle to cope when a child among them is diagnosed with autism, genetic disorders and/or various other developmental disabilities that make them extra- sensitive or affect their behavior in other ways.......