Impactful Women of the 918: Katerina Alder

Photo by Makenzie Howard Photography

Katerina Alder’s life hasn’t always been easy. “I moved to the United States from Belarus in 2008, bringing with me the hope of a better future,” she recounts. However, “Life didn’t follow the easiest path—I became a single mother after my children’s father chose not to continue parenting a child with a disability.”

Alder’s 14-year-old daughter, Amelia, the younger of two siblings, has Down syndrome. “She is a radiant light in our lives,” says Alder. “But as she grew, we noticed something quietly painful. The birthday party invitations slowed. The playdates stopped. While her classmates formed friendships, Amelia was often left on the margins—not out of cruelty, but out of discomfort and misunderstanding.” As Amelia got older, Alder says, she began noticing this dynamic and questioning “why she didn’t have real friends.”

This encouraged Alder to act, and she launched Amelia’s Friends Foundation in January 2025. “Our mission is simple but powerful,” Alder says. “To create moments where kids like Amelia can feel seen, loved and connected—not as an exception, but as part of the whole.”

Although the organization is fairly new, Alder says it has already been able to make a meaningful impact on the community. “We’ve hosted inclusive play meetups, seasonal events and parents’ respite events,” she says. Follow Amelia’s Friends Foundation on social media for information about upcoming events.

For other parents of children with disabilities, Alder offers this advice: “Believe in your children. Challenge them, nurture their strengths and take it one step at a time.…Our kids have amazing potential—sometimes it just needs a little extra time, love and creativity to bloom.”