Respite & Health Retreats
for parents and caregivers
A Mother's Rest
RESPITE PROGRAM PLANS
At A Mother's Rest, we believe that frequent, affordable respite is a key factor in keeping special needs parents and caregivers healthy. Ensuring the best care of disabled children and adults means ensuring the best care for their parents. The need is SO great across the nation for *affordable* respite, fellowship, and community living options among special needs families.
A Mother's Rest began with the idea for just one small respite inn located in rural central Virginia. Our vision has grown from that one small respite inn to one that includes local and national partners and communities.
Official Video
The Terrace Guest House & Respite Inn--New Market, MD
Opened in November
2018, and purchased
entirely with private donations, The Terrace Guest House & Respite Inn is the first of it's kind in the nation. Built in 1798, it is located in the Historic District of New Market, Frederick County, Maryland. It is open exclusively to parents & caregivers who have loved ones with disabilities, chronic illness, and other challenges. 3-night respite retreats are scheduled nearly every weekend, and serve up to (7) caregivers with crucial recuperative rest and therapeutic fellowship in a quiet, peaceful, free-style setting. We work hard to make these retreats *free of charge* to guests, and we rely entirely on gifts from community foundations, churches, and other private giving and support to fund the most basic operating expenses of the inn. We do encourage guests to leave a donation (as they are able) to supplement funds needed. Our Founder & Executive Director also serves as the full-time Innkeeper for The Terrace Guest House.
"Porch Partners" Bed & Breakfast Network
In order to serve as many
caregivers as possible,
we continue to build a
growing network of existing
bed and breakfast inn partners to host various respite retreats around the country. Since our inception in Feb 2017, we now have nearly (40) Porch Partners nationally, who have served over (500) parents & caregivers.
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Through discounts from our inn partners and donations from corporate/church/civic/foundation/private individual giving, we aim to keep the out of pocket costs to families as low as possible, even free sometimes!
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We are grateful to our growing list of Porch Partners. Join us!
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Want to SPONSOR one of our retreats? Many levels available!
Lawton Place Manor--Mt. Airy, GA
Our 2nd respite inn,
Lawton Place Manor, also
purchased entirely with
private donations, began
renovations and prep in January 2020. It's grand opening was in winter of 2020. Built in 1879 by Brigadier General and US Ambassador Alexander Robert Lawton as a summer residence, Lawton Place Manor was originally referred to as "The Oakes". It is located in the quiet, rural, mountain town of Mt. Airy, Habersham County, Georgia. Like our inn in Maryland, Lawton Place Manor is open exclusively to parents & caregivers who have loved ones with disabilities, chronic illness, and other challenges. 3-night respite retreats are scheduled nearly every weekend, and serve up to (7) caregivers with crucial recuperative rest and therapeutic fellowship in a quiet, peaceful, free-style setting. We work hard to make these retreats *free of charge* to guests, and we rely entirely on gifts from community foundations, churches, and other private giving and support to fund the most basic operating expenses of the inn. We do encourage guests to leave a donation (as they are able) to supplement funds needed. We do have one paid innkeeper on staff, in addition to regular property maintenance, insurance, and utility costs.
AMR Signature Events
AMR Signature Events
In addition to our national
network of "Porch Partner"
Bed & Breakfast Inns,
A Mother's Rest hosts
several larger, signature
events each year as well.
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1) Mommy & Me: Moms of children/adults with extra needs can enjoy a 3-night retreat with their NON special needs son or daughter at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Jekyll Island, GA. This is special one-on-one time that every child needs. Typically held in March of each year.
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2) #SLEEPMATTERS Cruise: Exclusively for moms of children/adults with extra needs, as well as spouses of disabled veterans and special educators as well. Four nights at sea to do everything or nothing. All meals included. Moms can come solo in a private room or share with one other extra needs mom. Typically held in February of each year.
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3) YOGI BEAR Family "Glamping" Trip: The PERFECT, affordable extra needs family vacation. Don't miss it. Best family trip you'll ever take. The park is booked entirely for our families, so you're on a private family trip with 100 other extra needs families! Choose from (seven) different cabin types/floor plans, as well as tent and RV sites. Held every year in July at Jellystone Park in Mammoth Cave, KY.
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4) Buddy Cruise: The ultimate "world-school" adventure for families of those with extra needs! Originally begun for families of Down syndrome, it now is open and inclusive to all disabilities. Buddy Cruise is an educational conference at sea, and includes scheduled speakers and presentations, as well as many organized group activities!