Legacy is not what we leave behind, but what we put in motion.

“Mariora has been an incredible resource as we navigate the California system of supports for our son who lives with Angelman syndrome. Her expertise and personal experience has been invaluable in helping us connect to appropriate resources, transitioning our son to the Self Determination Program, going through mediation, creating spending plans and much more. We also appreciate that she approaches her work with compassion and person-centered focus.”

AmeliaParent · California

“On behalf of the „Čudesna šuma“ (Magic Forest) Association, we wish to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Mariora Filipovich, founder of the Filipovich Family Foundation, and to the entire Foundation team, for the generous donation of kitchen appliances worth 117,000 RSD. Your support means far more than the equipment itself. Thanks to this donation we will improve the conditions in our kitchen, which will allow us to host the children and their families who come to our centre on Tara even better. We are especially grateful that you recognised the importance of our work and chose to be part of our mission to create a safe, warm and inclusive place for children with developmental disabilities and their families.”

Udruženje „Čudesna šuma“PartnerTranslated from Serbian

As the mother of a son with Fragile X syndrome, I know how overwhelming it can be to navigate complex systems while simply trying to do what is best for your child. Along this journey, finding someone you can truly trust is priceless. Mariora is one of those rare people. From the moment we met, I felt understood. She listens with compassion, leads with wisdom, and shares her knowledge with remarkable generosity. Her guidance comes not only from experience, but from a genuine desire to help families move forward with confidence and hope. What makes Mariora truly special is that she never sees a diagnosis—she sees a person. She treats every family with dignity, patience, and kindness, making you feel heard, respected, and supported even during the most difficult moments. The Filipovich Family Foundation reflects everything she stands for: compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to making a real difference in people's lives. It is more than a foundation—it is a place where families find hope, connection, and the strength to keep moving forward. I feel incredibly grateful that our paths crossed. Mariora has made a meaningful difference in my family's life, and I know many others will say the same. Thank you for your heart, your vision, and your dedication to creating a better future for so many families.

Lara SpasićMother · Fragile X Syndrome

When a child's diagnosis shakes a family's life, what you need most is something to steady you and a sense of which way to go. For us, that steadying hand and that voice of reason were not in our own system — they were across an ocean, on another continent. What brought me to Mariora Filipovich was a Filipovich Foundation charity drive, one that left behind a mark and a good name, and an awareness of children with Angelman syndrome. Honestly, patiently and selflessly, she helped me find my footing and my strength, and to see a bright future. And after all these years I still turn to her for advice, for experience, for an idea and for support — and for a dose of optimism and faith :) With her love, a mother's experience, an open mind, persistence and faith in people and their potential, she created the Filipovich Family Foundation, which helps children and families and so adds material toward a fairer and better society for everyone. I want to point out that alongside the children, the Foundation thinks especially of mothers — because it knows who drives a system as complex and delicate as a family. To have a child with disabilities and still devote yourself to improving the lives of others is the mark of great people, of visionaries — which Mariora is, because she genuinely works to build an inclusive society, to help children with disabilities move forward, and to give families a better life. On a foundation like that, every door can be opened and even what seemed immovable can be moved. The Filipovich Foundation has helped a great many people, and I firmly believe its greatest work is still ahead of it.

Milana ĆirkovićMother · SerbiaTranslated from Serbian