BY LOGAN HURSTON
FOR THE OBSERVER
EAST ALABAMA — For many parents, raising children with special needs can be a struggle, especially when it comes to finding personal time to relax. A Mother’s Rest, a nonprofit organization, understands that.
A Mother’s Rest specializes in weekend getaways for parents and caretakers to rest, recuperate and share their experiences with fellow parents. The organization offers weekend getaways across the nation along with special retreats throughout the year. A Mother’s Rest was founded in 2017 and has grown to a network of over 30 houses and resorts as of 2025.
This year, Opelika’s historic Dorsey House joined the organization’s “porch partner program.” The program takes over the rental process from participating houses for a few weekends a year, offering them at a reduced rate to parents and caretakers who are then free to do whatever they see fit during that weekend, whether it be exploring the city or taking a nap.
“Last year in July, I was invited to a retreat for A Mother’s Rest by my friend,” said local special needs mom Meghan Barley, who helped coordinate the partnership Dorsey House and A Mother’s Rest. “I had no idea what it was. I have a six-year-old son who is on the spectrum, and my friend thought it would be a great idea for me to get away and recharge. I went to Georgia for the weekend and met some wonderful friends who I stay connected with and lean on for support when needed.”
Barley is a real estate agent for Keller Williams. With help from her mother, who is an interior designer, Barley finds hidden gems and renovates them for her family’s LLC, Joyce Family Properties. The Dorsey House was one of these houses. After her trip, Barley decided to work with A Mother’s Rest and donate the house for certain weekends to the organization. Her family’s charity, Joyce Family Foundation, also donates to A Mother’s Rest to help keep the retreats affordable for families. The Dorsey House is the first “porch partner” for A Mother’s Rest in Alabama.
A Mother’s Rest has different themed retreats depending on which members of the family are on a getaway. There are options for moms, dads, couples, mommy and me, soldiers and family trips. The Dorsey House will be available primarily for mothers and caregivers, with the first weekend bookings set for March 7-10 and May 16-19. The Dorsey House features multiple rooms, and the price range for a weekend is $100 per person to cover cleaning fees, which is a fraction of its normal rental cost on AirBNB.
“My first calls were to the women I met on my retreat to let them know that we would be offering the Dorsey House [as A Mother’s Rest porch partner],” Barley said. “I will not be staying at the house to avoid taking any spots from caretakers, but I hope to see some familiar faces and meet some new friends when I stop by.”
For more information about A Mother’s Rest and the Dorsey House, visit amothersrest.org.
