Respite, Recreation, and Restoration
for Families with Special Needs
After 16 years of navigating travel with our son’s special needs, we’re on a mission to use what we’ve learned to unlock joyful and accessible travel for millions of families like ours.
We believe it’s time to move beyond the well-intentioned efforts of the existing hospitality industry to "accommodate" families with special needs, to an offering designed from the ground up FOR and BY families who have a true embodied understanding of the unique and specialized needs of this population.
Our world-class resort and retreat centers will be intentionally designed from top to bottom.
Key attributes for Umbrellas destinations include:
Authentic Understanding: Lived experience informs every detail.
Beyond “Sensory-Friendly”: An environment purpose-built for regulation across all sensory inputs – not just dim lights and low volume.
Dietary Freedom: Nourishing meals crafted to be inherently aligned and delicious – beyond perfunctory allergen removal.
Activities for Each & Every: Inclusive programming to enable meaningful participation for all variations of ability, surpassing makeshift adaptations.
Engineered for Dignity & Safety: Thoughtfully constructed to prioritize physical accessibility, comfort, and multidimensional safety.
Affirming Fellowship: ”Peculiarities” are embraced, celebrated, and simply the norm.
Attuned Service: Sensitive and responsive support infused into every interaction, delivered by specialized caregivers and our entire mission-driven team.
Families with special needs are opting out of travel.
Millions of families are affected by autism and other developmental distinctions in the U.S. alone, with 1 in 31 children experiencing autism and 1 in 6 experiencing developmental distinctions of all kinds.
According to a widely cited survey of parents of children with autism…
87%
do not currently take family vacations
93%
would vacation more frequently with appropriate accommodations
The need is strong. The opportunity is now.
Who We Are
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Matt Dombroski
Seasoned commercial real estate attorney (Columbia Law) with 20 years' experience guiding billions of dollars in transactions encompassing tens of millions of square feet through acquisition, construction, development, leasing, clean energy integration, and regulatory compliance.
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Erin Lemieux
Leveraging 10 years designing and managing corporate wellness programs followed by 10 years leading autism therapy teams. Her deep expertise in holistic well-being and therapy is supported by academic credentials in health promotion & behavior, health psychology, environmental health, and additional certifications in fitness, nutrition, and yoga.
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Shauna Lemieux
A strategic communications professional with two decades of experience leading marketing teams and spearheading impactful communications campaigns for mission-driven organizations, while driving brand development and alignment. Her diverse skillset extends to organizational leadership, securing vital funding, navigating government landscapes, and forging strong community alliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We are currently in the early concept and planning stage. We have completed initial market research and are now developing our business plan and seeking seed funding and strategic partnerships to move into the next phase of development.
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We are prioritizing locations within the Southeastern and Southwestern United States. Our site selection is guided by key factors including a comfortable year-round climate, ease of access from major transportation hubs, and the presence of established, supportive infrastructure.
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We didn't just research the need for this concept—we've lived it. Our founders have over 16 years of personal experience navigating the challenges and joys of traveling with a child with autism and severe epilepsy. This deep, firsthand understanding is the foundation of our company and informs every decision we make to create an authentically supportive and effective solution for families like ours.
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We would be thrilled to discuss our vision in more detail. Please use the contact form below, and a member of our team will reach out to you as soon as possible.
