Rally Fellow Morgan Bevell and Bevell's Advocate

Real Talk with Rally Fellows: Morgan Bevell and Bevell’s Advocate

December 27, 2024 | Uncategorized

This post was written by Morgan Bevell, Summer ’24 Rally Fellow

Children and Parents with Disabilities Find an Advocate in Morgan Bevell and Her Social Enterprise

Bevell’s Advocate is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering, educating, and assisting families of children with disabilities. Through educational support, financial guidance, social networking, and medical recommendations, Bevell’s Advocate helps parents navigate the complexities of special education and disability services. With a focus on fostering collaboration between families and educational teams, Bevell’s Advocate offers personalized consultations and resources that enable families to advocate with confidence and clarity. Whether through seminars, workshops, or one-on-one guidance, Bevell’s Advocate is a service that provides community, hands-on and proactive support, and knowledge that improves the quality of life for both parent and child.

As the founder of Bevell’s Advocate, I have very personal ties to this mission. My sister has a specific learning disability, so from a very early age, I recognized the overwhelm faced by these families as I watched my mom try to navigate the experience of having a child on an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Flash forward 10 years and I befriended Grace, my young neighbor with Down Syndrome. I saw Grace and her family start to experience the same struggles that my own family faced all those years ago. Moved by this experience, I started Bevell’s Advocate to break the cycle and become an advocate for millions of families – just as my mom once was for my sister and I am now for Grace.

Morgan Bevell of Bevell's Advocate with her neighbor Grace

Morgan Bevell with her neighbor, Grace

Photography by Jackie Siggard Photography

How Bevell’s Advocate Fills a Gap Within the Educational System

Each year, millions of children with disabilities in the United States face inadequate special education services, suboptimal placements, lower academic achievement, and increased social isolation. There are approximately 7.5 million students with disabilities living in the United States. Of these, 48% were reported to have received inadequate services or placements, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Addressing these disparities are crucial to ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has equitable access to quality education and meaningful social experiences, both of which are essential for their long-term success and well-being.

Bevell’s Advocate plans to take these children from achieving low academically to opening the door for them to access opportunities that allow them to thrive. Our solution consists of one-on-one coaching and support, detailed reviews of educational records, involvement in all communication, providing access to their extensive network of resources, and more. Our personalized support helps parents navigate the complexities of their child’s education with confidence, ensuring that each child’s IEP and other supports are effectively implemented. We help find the best specialists and resources to meet each child’s specific needs, while advocating for the child’s rights and ensuring they receive the quality education they deserve. Parents can also expect to find a reduced amount of stress and peace of mind knowing their child is in good hands.

What’s Next for Bevell’s Advocate

Through the benevolent contribution of Bevell’s Advocate, thanks to our volunteers and individuals supporting our cause, we have already assisted over 35 families in varying capacities in their very first year. Over the next 12 months, Bevell’s Advocate plans to accelerate and serve over 500 families in navigating special needs parenting. We seeking people who are passionate about their cause to join our team, as well as introductions to other organizations that serve children with special needs.