Connor Smiles

08/26/2026

The reason we smile..
The reason we work hard to make a difference..
The reason we remain hopeful..

We smile because we know that we get to love you, even in your absence.
Connor’s time here on earth was way too short, but even in that short time he left a legacy that we will always honor.
His sense of humor and his ability to put a smile on anyone’s face will always be remembered.

We are so thankful that God blessed us with you. You will always be our baby. 💚

08/25/2026

What a beautiful morning at Building Bridges in Glynn! 💚

To every parent, caregiver, family member, and community member who took the time to join us.. thank you. Thank you for showing up, asking questions, sharing your experiences, and being willing to learn, listen, and connect.

Your presence is what made this event so meaningful. These conversations matter. Our families matter. And creating stronger connections between families, schools, and our community matters.

We are so grateful for everyone who helped make this first Building Bridges event such a success. The support, encouragement, and genuine desire to make a difference were felt throughout the morning. We thank the Glynn County Schools staff that took time out on their Saturday morning to support our efforts. The information you provided was very helpful for parents navigating the special education journey.

Thank you for believing in the vision, for showing up, and for helping us build bridges together.

With love and gratitude,
Connor Smiles Foundation 💚

08/22/2026

Building Bridges

08/22/2026

Building Bridges in Glynn

08/21/2026

We are pleased to announce that the following Glynn County Schools staff will be joining us tomorrow for our Building Bridges in Glynn event! ⭐️

Shannon Ammons, Assistant Director of Special Education
Erin Young, Special Programs Support Specialist
Nick Harris, Special Education Parent Mentor
Darleen Smith, Special Education Teacher
Tonya Barbee, Mental Health Coordinator
Aunjae Cary, Student Services Coordinator
Hailey Rojas, Lead School Social Worker

These incredible educators and professionals bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and heart to the table, and we are grateful they’ll be there to support our families.

08/21/2026

Tomorrow is the day! We hope to see you at Burroughs-Molette Elementary from 10-12 for a morning focused on connection, understanding, and support for families navigating special education. We are thankful to Glynn County Schools for their willingness to support our efforts! Together we build stronger futures for every child. 💚

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and every parent deserves to feel informed, supported, and heard.

Join Connor Smiles Foundation for Building Bridges in Glynn, a special event designed to bring families, educators, and community partners together to strengthen relationships and navigate the special education journey together.

Whether you’re just beginning the process, been an advocate for your child for years, or just want further information, this event is for you. Come ask questions, discover resources, make connections, and leave feeling empowered.

When: Saturday, August 22
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Burroughs-Molette Elementary School

We are very thankful for Glynn County Schools for their support of Building Bridges in Glynn. Together, we can build stronger partnerships, stronger schools, and brighter futures for every child. 💚

If you are planning to attend, we simply ask you to complete the free registration form using the link in the comments below.
Light refreshments will be served.

Together we can build a stronger Glynn!

08/18/2026

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unsure of what questions to ask, or wished you had a stronger connection with your child’s school team, we invite you to join us at Building Bridges in Glynn.

Come connect. Come learn. Come build relationships with the people who are here to support your child.

You don’t have to navigate special education alone. 💚

📅 Saturday, August 22
⏰ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Burroughs Molette Elementary

We would love to see you there!

08/16/2026

ONE WEEK TO GO!

We are officially ONE WEEK AWAY from Building Bridges in Glynn!

Next Saturday, August 22, Connor Smiles is bringing families, schools, and our community together for a morning focused on connection, understanding, and support for families navigating special education.

✨ Special education staff from Glynn County Schools will be joining us
✨ Opportunities to ask questions and connect with resources
✨ Door prizes
✨ Light refreshments
✨ A welcoming space for families to learn, share, and build relationships

📅 Saturday, August 22
⏰ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Burroughs Molette Elementary

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or community member, there is a place for you at the table.

We believe that when families and schools work together, stronger bridges are built, and children benefit. 💚 We hope to see you there!

We can’t wait to see you there!

08/14/2026

In the past seven days six individuals on the Autism Spectrum have died after eloping. This is every autism parent’s worst fear. Unfortunately for our family, we’ve lived this reality and it hurts.

Elopement is common in the autism community. Searching nearby bodies of water quickly after an autistic individual elopes is key. Many times the autistic individual isn’t aware of the danger that may lie ahead.

Hearing all of these stories recently has triggered something in us. We remember the day this happened to our family and the details of that day will forever be etched into our minds. Connor had never eloped prior to the tragedy that occurred to him. We will never know what he was thinking when he did…

But you know what really hurts with our situation? No one even noticed he had eloped because there were too many kids and not enough staff to even notice he was gone. Hours had gone by before one particular staffer noticed he was missing when it was time for dinner.
Want to know what hurts even more? There were people on the beach that saw him with his group earlier and then noticed him without his group later in the water alone, but didn’t open their mouths or try to help. THAT hurts.

Did they know he was on the spectrum, no. But what harm would asking “are you okay” have done?

This is why it is so important to understand how dangerous elopement can be. We talk about elopement and drowning not to create fear, but to create awareness.
Because when we know the risks, we can prepare. And when we prepare, we can help protect the children we love.

Every child deserves to be protected.
Every parent deserves support.
And every family deserves to know that their community cares. 💚

08/10/2026

Building Bridges in Glynn is almost here! 💚

We’re excited to bring families, educators, and our community together for a morning focused on connection, understanding, and support for children receiving special education services.

Special education staff from Glynn County Schools will be present to share information and connect with families.

And because we want this to be a fun and welcoming morning, we’ll also have:

⭐️ Door prizes
⭐️ Light refreshments
⭐️ Opportunities to connect with local resources and other families

Whether you’re new to the special education journey or have been advocating for your child for years, you belong in this room.

📅 Saturday, August 22
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Burroughs-Molette Elementary School, 1900 Lee Street, Brunswick

Come with your questions. Come ready to connect. Come knowing that you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. ☺️

Please complete the brief registration form if you plan to attend. Link is in the comments.

Together, we’re Building Bridges in Glynn.