Value, Mission & Model

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

- MOTHER TERESA

value proposition

We're more than just a Resource Hub. We create autism inclusion solutions for the community and help businesses meet their social procurement goals.

From Small Steps. To Making Strides For Autism.

WE CONNECT THE COMMUNITY TO AUTISM

THE NEED

Autism is a lifelong neurological developmental disability and no two children/people are the same
1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls
it's an estimated 25,000 people with autism living in Northeast Florida
More than likely you know someone that has a loved one with autism
Autism parents spend approximately 5 hours a day searching for resources and services
Several recent studies show a vast problem of isolation with autism families and parents stress levels similar to combat veterans with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Families and people on the spectrum do not patronize local business due to the lack of understanding and acceptance
Duval County Public School District served 1500 students 1500 students with autism spectrum disorders in their classrooms in the 2016-2017 School Year
Over 500,000 teens and young adults with autism will enter adulthood within the next decade
85% of people with autism are unemployed or never had jobs

THE MISSION

Our Priority is to provide support, training, and advocacy to families and people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD); creating a more autism friendly community.

THE MODEL

The goal of Making Strides For Autism, Inc. (MS4A) is to decrease the emotional and financial impact of autism . MS4A's priority is to increase our service capacity in order to improve access to care and resources for families and jobs people on the autism spectrum. We are committed to doing this by working collaboratively and transparently to create a comprehensive person-centered system of support and a more autism friendly community. Building strong strategic relationships that improve the opportunities and outcomes for the population we serve.

We fund our programs and services by grassroots fundraising, donations, community events, and grants. But this is not enough, the face of the non-profit sector is changing. We create sustainability through our autism-friendly business consulting, mobile sensory break room, and community resource directory sponsored by businesses. In addition, our supported job training program; offering our Friends With Autism Magazine, Sensory Bags, and Sensory Boxes staffed by adults on the autism spectrum.

Our unique magazine and sensory shop will offer volunteer opportunities, internships, and jobs to students and adults on all levels of the autism spectrum. Our organization will also offer community health education about autism, and an Autism Roadmap to help the community better understand and remove the stigma associated with autism. Making Strides For Autism, Inc. brings socially driven purchasers and the autism together, building business relationships that generate social benefits to the autism community in Northeast Florida.