SYRACUSE, N.Y. — For more than a decade, Syracuse-native Latoya Jones has been a voice for youth with disabilities from minority backgrounds. Her advocacy began after her son suffered a traumatic brain injury at just nine years old. Since then, she’s dedicated her life to making sure families like hers feel supported.
But as Jones knows well, raising the next generation comes with unique struggles, especially for caregivers. That’s why she launched events like “Caps and Mocktails,” designed to bring people together in a space of relief and connection.
“So Caps and Mocktails is just a way for us to bring caregivers, aunties, cousins, sisters, supporters, together, just to kind of get a break away from life,” said Jones, who serves as president of the Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy. “Get together, network, eat, make caps, and kind of deal with mental health issues that we’re having around the community in a different way.”…