I'm sure by now you know that Nancy & I formed Neuro Diverse Living (NDL) in 2019 to provide viable housing alternatives for adults with autism, like our son Michael. We have asked some of our most avid supporters to help raise $2,500 from their friends and family to further support our efforts in opening our first residence in early 2021, and I am committed to doing my part to raise $2,500 as well from my friends and family.

Despite the investment of billions of dollars in research, early diagnosis, interventions, and education, autistic adults' graduate high school "onto the couch". Most are unemployed, socially isolated, and largely supported by their aging parent caregivers.  Without access to alternative and sustainable housing options, autistic adults are at risk of homelessness and likely to be "placed in the next empty bed" of a group home or adult foster care far away from their hometown. 

The Pennsylvania Autism Census from 2014 projected there will be over 50,000 autistic adults in PA alone receiving services by 2025. The Autism Housing Network estimates that 87% of autistic adults live with their parents but only 22% want to live there.

The Autism Housing Network also states that there is a large percentage of autistic adults already experiencing homelessness. They experience crisis when their parents die as they are left without support around the upkeep of everyday life and often fall victim to predatory/abusive relationships.

We are on an ambitious journey to build lifelong, safe, and sustainable smart-home enabled housing for adults with autism and other intellectual developmental disabilities. The response from families we’ve talked to about this has been overwhelming. We believe it’s something we can do to benefit dozens of families with similar needs to ours while leaving a legacy behind for my family by developing a repeatable model that others can leverage and take to their own hometown.

Your contribution to Neuro Diverse Living, an IRS Approved 501(c)3 charity is tax-deductible. To make this mission a reality, will you consider supporting my personal fundraising goal of raising $2,500 by Labor Day? Simply click on the Donate Now button to the right to make a contribution or if you want to help raise money from your friends and family in support of the work we're doing, click on the Register For This Event to create your own personal fundraising page.

I'm grateful that you've come this far and allowed me to share my perspective with you. A donation would be the icing on the cake.

Sincerely,

Jim