Community Corner

Autism Cares Seeks To Inform, Assist Community

The Richboro-based Autism Cares Foundation may only be a few years old, but it's already gaining traction in the local community.

Mike Grant has big plans.

In addition to working a full-time job and spending time with his family, Grant is one of the organizers of the Autism Cares Foundation, a Richboro-based nonprofit that seeks to help those with autism and their families with the daily struggles that accompany the disease.

"We provide opportunities for social interaction free of charge to kids in the spectrum," Grant said.

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Some of the activities it sponsors on a weekly or monthly basis are music events, arts and crafts, fitness events and movie nights, according to the website. These events occur all over Bucks County.

The foundation also hosts several big fundraisers each year. In April, they held the 2nd Annual Auction and Gala, and a partnership with Crossing Vineyards in Washington Crossing budded into an evening of wine and jazz in August.

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Finally, the organization will host the Race for Resources again in November, of which Grant is the director. Last year, 1,500 people ran a variety of races in Tyler State Park and more than 50 organizations showcased their services related to autism.

Right now the organization is only three years old, but Grant has aspirations for something much bigger than a volunteer-only staff and a post office box.

What the foundation is trying to do longterm is raise enough money to start an Autism Resource Center. This will be a place where parents of children who are newly diagnosed can go to find out what resources are available to them. It's a place where older kids can go for job coaching to supplement what schools offer, Grant said.

In addition, the center would create jobs for kids with autism such as starting a small farm and running a farm stand. Grant said he wants the center to be self-sustaining. 

The foundation is in the fundraising stage for his dream. After collecting $148,000 from its gala in April, Grant said he wants to double his goal for the upcoming Tyler Park race in November. He's shooting for $150,000.

"Last year was a breakout year," he said. "I want this year to make last year look like a kindergarten event."

Autism Cares is especially close to Grant's heart because his 13-year-old son Dylan has autism. Dylan doesn't speak, but with the help of a special program on his iPad he can construct sentences to communicate with his parents. It's resources like these that many parents in the area may not be aware of, and Grant wants to make sure they know about them. 

"Autism is not like cancer," he said. "It’s not terminal."

For more information about the foundation, upcoming events or how to get involved, visit autismcaresfoundation.org.


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