For many parents of adults with special needs, one hope rises above all others: that their loved one will always have a place where they belong.

This month, Special Needs Cobb resident Phil and his mother, Kay, stood together in front of a billboard on Cobb Parkway featuring Phil alongside a simple but powerful message:

“I Belong.”

The billboard is part of Special Needs Cobb’s yearlong Up in Lights campaign, which celebrates the residents, supporters, families, volunteers, and community partners who have helped shape the organization’s 70-year legacy.

For Kay, the moment carried special meaning.

As Board President Emeritus, Kay has dedicated countless hours to advancing Special Needs Cobb’s mission and helping ensure that adults with special needs have access to safe, supportive homes and a community where they can thrive. Her leadership has helped guide the organization through decades of growth and impact, benefiting not only Phil but countless individuals and families throughout our community.

Standing beside her son beneath the words “I Belong” was a reminder of the vision that has inspired Special Needs Cobb since its founding in 1956.

For 70 years, families have come together to advocate for a future where adults with special needs are valued, included, and supported. That commitment continues today through Special Needs Cobb’s network of group homes, family resources, and community partnerships that help create stability, independence, and opportunity for the people we serve.

As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, the Up in Lights campaign shines a spotlight on the people who make our mission possible and the stories that remind us why our work matters.

Because belonging is more than a message on a billboard.

It’s the peace of mind families seek for their loved ones. It’s the foundation of a strong community. And it’s the promise that every person deserves to be seen, valued, and given the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you, Kay, for your years of leadership and advocacy. And thank you, Phil, for helping us share this message with our community.

Together, you remind us what it means to belong.