Our Founder/CEO Iris Rivera
Iris Rivera has been a lifelong advocate for people with developmental disabilities and has a distinguished 33-year career in the judiciary system. She is also a co-founder of Passaic County Parents of Adults with Disabilities (PACOPAD) www.pacopad.org where she worked closely with families seeking support, resources, and a sense of community. Ms. Rivera later stepped down from the organization to focus on expanding guardianship education and supporting families. Through her work with families and her extensive experience in the judiciary system, Ms. Rivera recognized the growing need for guidance for parents navigating the guardianship process as their children with developmental disabilities reach adulthood. In response, she founded Guiding Hands Guardianship Services, an organization dedicated to helping families understand the guardianship process and prepare for the crucial legal decisions affecting their loved ones.
As the mother of a nonverbal child diagnosed with autism at age five, Ms. Rivera understands firsthand the challenges families face in seeking appropriate care, protection, and opportunities for their children. Her personal experience has strengthened her commitment to ensuring parents have access to the guidance and resources they need to effectively advocate for their loved ones.
Ms. Rivera’s advocacy extends beyond guardianship education. She is an active member of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) www.njcdd.org and also serves on the Regional Family Support Planning Council (RFSPC), a committee established under the Family Support Act. Through these roles, she collaborates with legislators, community leaders, and family advocates to promote significant improvements in services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities.
She also conducts educational workshops and training sessions designed to equip families with the knowledge and tools they need to confidently advocate for their loved ones. Thanks to her unwavering dedication and constant advocacy, Ms. Rivera continues to be a trusted resource and pillar of support for families facing the complexities of the disability community.