Our mission is to partner with the community in the Dominican Republic to discover the potential for children with autism.
As a special education teacher, on a daily basis I see my students learn and grow. Watching my students overcome obstacles and learn to thrive within our community here in Mishawaka Indiana is such a rewarding and at times awe inspiring opportunity. Unfortunately all countries have not been blessed with the education level and availability of programs for individuals with autism. This usually leaves families to try to understand their child without any knowledge of the existence of autism. This can lead to misconceptions and fears about autism that can be unknowingly detrimental to the person with autism's livelihood. Commonly families believe that a child with autism is possessed and/or are afraid to let their child leave their house or bedroom. This project is very dear to my heart, this project brings together professionals in field from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic to help set up a center for young children with autism. The emphasis of this project is to train professionals within the local country on strategies and methods to work with students with autism, so that over time, the program can be self sustainable through the local professionals from the Dominican Republic. Please consider supporting this fundraiser, I have been accepted to go to the site in the Dominican Republic with a team of professionals to help set up a new program for children with autism and support for their families. This opportunity is immensely exciting, this program means education for the community about what autism is. It allows parents to see the potential of their children to learn and grow. Well developed services have the power to intensely improve the livelihood of children with autism. These services offer support to children’s families, educates their communities, builds acceptance within the community and supports each child to discover their own potential.
