About Jacaranda Foundation
Jacaranda Foundation is a California 501(c)(3) public charity founded by three Latina mothers and professionals from Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia, united by a commitment to families affected by crisis.
Meet our founding team
Laura Adjunta - President
M.A. CCC - SLP
Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist, 30+ Years in Autism & Disabilities
Founder and President. Venezuelan-American bilingual Clinical Certified SLP with more than 30 years in neurodevelopment, communication, and family-centered support; mother of two adults whose journeys include autism and mental-health needs; former founder and leader of FUPENIA in Venezuela.
Why Jacaranda exists
When a crisis changes a family’s life, the need for support does not simply disappear when the emergency is over.
For families already navigating autism, other neurodevelopmental disabilities, or co-occurring mental-health needs, the earthquakes did not create every challenge; they intensified existing ones and disrupted the supports that helped daily life remain stable. For autistic and neurodiverse children, youth, and adults and their families, loss of predictability, communication access, sensory supports, familiar routines, safe foods, therapies, or medication access can increase anxiety and emotional distress and make ordinary demands feel overwhelming.
Jacaranda Foundation was created to help fill that gap by connecting families with meaningful, individualized resources and ongoing support. Our work begins with individualized three-month kits, but it does not end with delivery. We document, follow up, and adapt support, with a goal of renewing assistance every three months for up to two years as needs and resources allow.
What makes our approach different
Individualized planning
Every person and family is different. We consider individual needs, communication, sensory considerations, family circumstances, and available resources.
Continuity and follow-up
Our commitment goes beyond a single moment of assistance. We seek to build continuity through resources, follow-up, community initiatives, and partnerships.
Trusted collaborations
We work with established organizations and professionals in Venezuela to help identify needs, coordinate support, and stay connected with the families and communities we serve.
Specialized resources
We bring together experience, professional knowledge, partnerships, and practical resources to help families access support when it may otherwise be limited.
Capacity building
Volunteer therapist, physicians, and other professionals connect directly with local families and colleagues, for example, a support group for parents or guidance for local providers, so communities gain lasting knowledge and specialized skills, not just one-time assistance.
How we grow together
We're launching our campaign and we'd love to do it alongside you.
Logistics
We prepare and pack individualized kits in California, coordinate shipping through established humanitarian channels and work with vetted partners in Venezuela to verify receipt and delivery.
Networking
Reaching donors, community partners and companies through social-responsibility programs.
Partnerships
We document delivery, conduct family follow-up, and use age-appropriate, needs-based measures the appropriate.
Our partners
Our core values
01
Dignity, voice, and presumed competence
Every person deserves respect, autonomy, and the opportunity to be heard.
02
Whole-person, family-centered support
We consider the person beyond a diagnosis, including communication, health, sensory needs, relationships, culture, and family life.
03
Including and belonging
We work toward communities where autistic and disabled people are understood, respected, and able to participate meaningfully.
04
Equity and access
We work to connect families with appropriate resources and support when access may otherwise be limited.
05
Continuity and commitment
We recognize that families needs do not disappear after a crisis or at a certain age.
06
Compassionate collaboration and accountability
We listen, collaborate, protect each family's dignity, and use every contribution responsibly.
Stand With a Family. Help us build meaningful, ongoing support, one family at a time,
So no family has to face this journey alone.