Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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Our Mission & Goals

Life Center for Autism Foundation has the mission to socially enhance the lives of those who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.

It is our fundamental belief that positive social interactions are a basic necessity for a happy life. We feel that including all children, adolescents, adults, families, caregivers and friends in our mission will only strengthen our community and benefit those struggling with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We passionately feel that those struggling with ASD should not feel alone. 

Our immediate goal is to build a specialized activity center in southern Cuyahoga County, Ohio. This center will provide a wide variety of social and recreational experiences to all children, adolescents, adults, families, caregivers and friends affected by ASD. 
Our Vision & Dream

Life Center for Autism Foundation has the vision and goal of building a specialized activity center in which we can provide a wide variety of social experiences to all children, adolescents, adults, families, caregivers and friends affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

The activity and resource center will emphasize wellness, nutrition and emotional well being. It is our vision that the following areas will be included in the physical plan: 

Multipurpose Gymnasium, Teen Activity Room with Observation Area, Arcade with Pinball, Pool, Ping-Pong, Kitchen and Vocational Activity Room, Arts and Crafts Room, Music Resource Room, Resource and Support Area, Outdoor Picnic Area, Outdoor Friendship Garden, Outdoor Playground, Fitness Trails, Outdoor Putt-Putt, Outdoor Ball Fields, Outdoor Play Fountains.
Founder's Message

In 2007, the Center for Disease Control reported that 1 in every 150 (eight year old children) will be diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. Since there is not a cure, this means that every one of these individuals and their families must live with autism for the rest of their life. 

Our daughter was born in 1996 and diagnosed as being moderately autistic in 2003. She cannot speak, she cannot care for her daily living needs and she does not easily fit into today’s society. What she can do is hum a song to tune, run, laugh and play. She knows what she likes and what she does not like. I strongly believe that she understands much of the world around her but is unable to speak or communicate her thoughts. When she is happy, you know it! 

While our daughter’s world is often her own, there are times throughout the day where she seeks to be near or play with others. It is obvious that she wants so badly to be included. When her sisters have friends over to play, she follows them everywhere wanting to be in the middle of action, even if that means sitting in the center of a kickball game. 

It was with this in mind, that we established Life Center for Autism Foundation, a 501(C)3 non–profit foundation, to specifically address the social needs of individuals struggling with autism and its related disorders. 

It is our dream that the foundation would build an activity center where individuals, family members and caregivers could share, socialize and engage in activities. A place where individuals, despite their autistic behaviors, could develop friendships and be accepted. It would be a gathering and support location for those that struggle with autism and its related disorders. It would be a meeting area for local and national agencies to communicate their message. It would be a place that emphasizes health and wellness, despite physical or developmental disabilities.

It would be a place where no one feels alone. 

Sincerely, 

David and Deborah May

Board of Directors

Life Center for Autism Foundation
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