Labeled and Loved: Bringing Hope to Special Needs Mothers
For Stonebriar Village Resident, Julie Hornok, the journey into the world of special needs parenting began when her daughter, Lizzie, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. What followed was a life transformed—playdates and park outings were replaced with 30 hours a week of therapy and constant behavior management. Recognizing the immense toll this takes on friendships, marriages, and mental health, Julie co-founded Labeled and Loved, a non-profit dedicated to supporting mothers raising children with special needs.
A Mission to End Isolation Studies show that parents of children with disabilities face significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety, and their marriages are at an increased risk of divorce. Julie and her team at Labeled and Loved are working tirelessly to combat caregiver burnout by creating beautiful spaces for connection and support. Through a variety of programs, they provide opportunities for moms to form friendships that become their daily lifelines.
Labeled & Loved Programs Making a Difference
- Weekend of Hope Retreat (October 10-12, 2025) – A transformative event at The Omni Frisco at The Star, bringing together 250 special needs moms from across the country and beyond for a weekend of renewal and support.
- Sisterhood Circles – Monthly small-group meetings, guided by a counselor-approved curriculum, where moms can discuss their challenges and find joy in their unique motherhood journey.
- Sticky Notes for the Heart – Intentional text messages that provide self-reflection prompts and reminders that these moms are never alone.
How to Get Involved
As a growing volunteer-driven organization, Labeled and Loved welcomes community support. Here’s how you can help:
- Share the organization as a resource with families who have children with disabilities.
- Participate in the Birdies & Big Hearts Golf Tournament on April 28th as a golfer or sponsor.
- Attend the Dining with Heart Fundraiser on September 13th, featuring a dinner with Celebrity Chef Kent Rathbun.
- Make a monthly or one-time donation.
- Sponsor the Weekend of Hope Retreat as an individual or business.
- Join Julie for an event craft prep night at her home on Southern Hills Drive on June 11th.
Julie and her husband, Greg, have been married for 27 years and have three children. Andrew graduated from Samford University and lives in Birmingham, Lizzie will graduate from Dallas Baptist University in May, and Noah is a freshman trumpet performance major at Eastman School of Music in Rochester. The family moved to Stonebriar Village to be closer to Greg’s work at The Star, where he serves as a Financial Advisor for RBC Wealth Management. Julie loves the unique architecture of the community and enjoys long walks taking it all in.
Beyond her work with Labeled and Loved, Julie is also an author and speaker. Her book, United in Autism: Finding Strength Inside the Spectrum, shares inspiring stories of families living with autism worldwide. This fall, she and Lizzie will embark on a new journey—speaking together to educate and inspire others.
Julie’s dedication to creating a supportive community for special needs moms is changing lives. Through Labeled and Loved, she is ensuring that no mother walks this path alone.
For more information, visit labeledandloved.org, www.juliehornok.com, or contact Julie at julie@labeledandloved.org.