In the early spring, parents of seniors from all over the US are happily planning their child’s high school Graduation Parties to help celebrate the giant milestone that leads their child into adulthood.

Most parents have already received the FASA, Financial Aide Award Letter so they know what college they can afford. Many have taken off work to take their child for the College Visits to choose the “Best” college that will help steer their child in the right direction towards their “Happily Ever After”.

It was only a couple weeks ago, that I too, took part in these rituals; walking side by side with my daughter, Ashley. Her eyes filled with hope, excitement and dreams of what lies ahead for her. She has picked her college, has already decided she wants to go to school to be an educator, and has already started filling out her Graduation Party Invites.

While so excited for Ashley and the opportunities that lie in front of her, I could not ignore the pain in my heart, for I have recently had a different walk with my son, Luke, whose road to his future is filled with uncertainty and worries. I grieve knowing that my son has not, and will not have the same opportunities.

Luke, my first born, graduated from High School in 2014. Yes, we had the party to celebrate, but it was different. Luke was diagnosed with Autism in 1998, Epilepsy in 2005, and an Auto-Immune Disease that attacks his brain in 2007.

Luke will turn 20 in June. At the age of 21, he will age out of his much needed school services and face an uncertain future. We do not know what we are going to do when Luke turns 21. While there are thousands of colleges everywhere for my daughter to choose from, finding services for an adult with autism and behavior challenges are almost non-existent.

Luke will need full time care. He has made huge steps in growth and development, but lacks basic life skills that will allow him to be able to live independently.

I know that I am not the only mother in our community facing these challenges. That is why, Families with ASD is working hard to create the Luke Gregory Center for Autism. A place where teens and adults with autism can receive Life Skills Classes, to help them better adjust to their life after school ends.

We want the Luke Gregory Center for Autism to be a stepping stone for all adults with cognitive challenges into their Happily Ever After.

Please help us. We need donations to build or purchase a property for the Luke Gregory Center for Autism.

www.gofundme.com/LukeGregoryCenter

• Life Skills Opportunities:
The Luke Gregory Center will have an apartment set-up with kitchen, dining room, living room area, which will also include a washer/dryer so we can work on Life Skills in a safe and loving environment.

• Full Teaching Kitchen:
The Luke Gregory Center will have a FULL Teaching Kitchen, so we can host adults with autism cooking classes. Our ASD Board President, Alberta Mellon wants to start a Dinner Club where the adults with autism will plan a menu, shop for all the items, cook the meal, and host a dinner for their loved ones.

• Healthy Meal Club:
Many of the medications that individuals with autism take have side effects that include weight gain. The Luke Gregory Center will host “Get Healthy Cooking Classes” which will be suitable for all ages, and will easy to cook meals, and also include how to cook Gluten FREE.

• Exercise Room:
Our NEW Center will house an exercise Room (Possibly a gym area) so that families touched by autism and special needs will have a safe and non-judging place to exercise and work on getting healthy. We hope to offer Autism Friendly Yoga, Dance, and Exercise Classes.

• Multi-Purpose Room: Classes/ Seminars
Families with ASD will continue to bring in organizations to give classes on Hot Topics such as; Setting IEP Goals, Working with Your School, Special Needs Trust, How to apply for SSI & Waivers, and much, much more.

• Social Support for Entire Family:
We will continue to host our FREE Holiday Parties, and FREE Get Socials at the Center, as well as our FREE Friday Night Flicks at the NEW Autism Center!

For all our Families with ASD Members who love the Autism Center, don’t worry. The Luke Gregory Center for Autism will continue to offer an Autism Family Sharing Library, the FREE information Center, the Computer Lab, the Teen Room, the Children’s Play room, and the Multi-Purpose Room.

Thank you for your consideration!

Families with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Families with ASD) is a grassroots, 501c3 public charity founded on March 4, 2005 by a Cincinnati, OH couple who have a son with autism. Families with ASD has NO paid staff, and receives NO Federal or State funding. They are completely run by volunteers, and every penny they raise goes to fund the many FREE services they offer families, and to pay for the operational expenses of the current Autism Family Resource Center.

Tax ID # 20-4758474.

Donations can also be made via check to Families with ASD, PO Box 269, Milford, OH 45150.

Follow us on Facebook : Families With-ASD & Families with ASD Cincinnati
www.familieswithasd.org.