My Story

About our Nonprofit Organization

Ava’s Path exists to ensure that families raising children with disabilities receive disability-informed education, tools, and advocacy support during divorce so children are protected, parents are empowered, and no family has to navigate this transition alone.

Empowering Families Through Divorce

Ava’s Path, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by Raquel Soto-Catalano, a passionate advocate for families experiencing divorce with children who have disabilities. Born from Raquel's journey through divorce with a special needs child, Ava’s Path addresses the critical need for accessible and specialized resources in this often overwhelming situation.

Raquel recognized the limitations of existing parent education programs, which failed to address the unique challenges faced by families with special needs children. Through her unwavering dedication, she drafted the bill that amended Florida Section § 61.21, a Florida law requiring specialized parenting education for divorcing parents with children who have special needs.


Ava's Path is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Filling the Void

With the law firmly in place, we got to work offering the only DCF-approved online curriculum specifically designed to provide families with:

  • Essential knowledge about cooperative co-parenting and the impact of divorce on children with disabilities.

  • Practical tools and strategies for navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of divorce.

  • Support and resources to build strong co-parenting relationships and foster healthy parent-child bonds.

At Ava’s Path, we believe that every family deserves the opportunity to thrive, even in the face of divorce. Our mission is to empower parents with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to create a stable and positive environment for their children.

What Makes us Unique

Specialized curriculum

Tailored to the specific needs of families with children who have disabilities.

Accessibility
Online format allows parents to learn from anywhere, anytime.

Expert-developed content Created by professionals with extensive experience in special needs education and family law.

Empathy-based approach Promotes understanding and cooperation between co-parents.

Help us make a difference in the lives of families facing divorce with special needs children. Explore our resources, learn more about our mission, and become a part of our growing community of support.

Our Mission-Driven Team

Founders

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Raquel Catalano

Founder and Executive Director 

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Jill Perez

Founder and Director of Education

Board Members

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Suzanna Valdez Wolfe

Board Member

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Ruti Kupferman

Board Member

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Amelia Karenina Balonek

Board Member

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Scott M. Manson, CPA, JD

Board Member

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Lisa Bolivar Martinez

Board Member 

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Stephanie L. Langer

Board Member

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Consultants

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MacKenzie Greenlee

Consultant

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Gigi Sliger

Co-author, educator, health coach.

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Ava's Path Team

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Andrée Marie Beckham

Team Member - Fractional CMO

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Sudhesh Shatagar 

Leader in IT Solutions, Data Architecture

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Brian Wance

ETL Developer and Data Engineer

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Peter Sbashnig

Data and Analytics servant leader

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Sydney Chancey

Graphic Designer

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Nila Ragu

User Experience Consultant

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