The path to disability justice was paved by the labor, vulnerability, and fierce advocacy of disability self-advocates—including Autistic, Neurodivergent, Deaf, and physically disabled individuals. It is from their stories and their drive for equity that Together We Bloom was born. TWB continues to center the voices of those with lived experience of disability. 

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After a decade practicing as a speech-language pathologist, founder Kim Takacs felt a growing, urgent need in the community. In listening to her clients and their families, she saw firsthand the systemic harm and exclusion perpetuated by a society that views disability as a "problem to be solved." This rigid medical model dominates education and healthcare, centering non-disabled experiences while marginalizing disabled individuals and their intersecting identities.

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As a private practice owner, Kim realized that helping clients navigate communication challenges in therapy was not enough if the structures outside the clinic actively prevented them from thriving. True impact required dismantling the very ableism, racism, and sexism woven into our communities.

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To turn this vision into a structural reality, Kim connected with founding board members Jessica Mingus and Janelle Gera. Bringing their own strategic guidance, shared values, and dedication to equity, this team helped shape the organizational blueprint, transforming ideas into a collective movement. 

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Together, this founding team established TWB as non-profit organization in 2022, rooted in the communities of Maplewood and South Orange, New Jersey. They were soon joined by a growing team of dedicated disability advocates who continue to shape and drive the mission of TWB.

The name Together We Bloom is an acknowledgment of the collective community driving this vital work. It is a reflection of our core belief that a community can only truly flourish when we are deeply committed to equity, ensuring that every single individual is valued, included, and knows fully that they belong.