Lifelong Dallas County residents Chris and Paige Harris have started Friends of Olivia, a support group for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Their personal journey with their daughter Olivia, who is autistic, has inspired the mission to start the group.
Diagnosed with level three autism at just 16 months, Olivia’s early challenges revealed a stark reality: families in Dallas County often face long commutes and limited access to therapy and resources.
“We love Selma. Valley Grande, this is our home,” said Paige Harris. “But we quickly realized how few services exist locally. Families are having to uproot just to get the help their children need.”
In response, Chris and Paige Harris founded Friends of Olivia, an organization dedicated to connecting families with resources, hosting sensory-friendly events and advocating for inclusive community spaces. Their goal is to make Dallas County a model of support and inclusion for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
The organization’s next major event, the Harvest of Hope Sensory Friendly Fall Festival, will take place on Oct. 18 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 4209 Alabama Highway 22 in Valley Grande, near Dollar General. The festival will feature a petting zoo, sensory corn pit, games and a “calm down corner” for children who become overstimulated.
“We want kids to come and be who they truly are,” Paige said. “This is about meeting them where they’re at.”
Another milestone arrives on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m., when Friends of Olivia partners with the Selma Lions Club to host the Crown with Purpose Pageant at the Central Alabama Fair. This will be the first-ever pageant in Selma dedicated to girls with disabilities.
“We want every girl to know she is loved and celebrated,” Chris Harris said. “The Lions Club immediately embraced the idea, and we’re so grateful.”
Looking ahead, the Harris’s envision a permanent facility the Hope and Inclusion Center for Friends of Olivia offering therapy, sensory gyms, job training and microbusiness opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
“It’s not an ‘if;’ it’s a ‘when,’” Chris said. “We’re launching an aggressive fundraising campaign to make it happen.”
Community members are encouraged to get involved through volunteering, sponsorships and outreach. Training will be provided for volunteers to ensure respectful and effective engagement with children and adults with developmental disabilities.
To learn more, volunteer or support the mission, contact Friends of Olivia at friendsofolivia.selma@gmail.com, or call 205-561-9712 or 334-419-1263. Updates and event details are available on their Facebook page.
As Chris Harris put it, “Inclusivity shouldn’t be charity. It should be a way of life here.”
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