Community Autism Resources Receives Signature Grant From Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation For Autism For $15,000

Community Autism Resources is pleased to announce it has received a $15,000 Signature Grant from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. This Grant will support the 2023 Annual Parent Retreat by covering the expense associated with attending the retreat for those individuals in need of financial assistance, as well as the covering the operating expenses associated with conducting the retreat. Through this important funding, the needs of parents/guardians who commonly experience feelings of isolation, fatigue, and increased levels of stress will be addressed. Our Annual Parent Retreat focuses on these issues by demonstrating to parents/guardians that they are not alone and provides them with coping methods. The retreat allows attendees to experience a sense of belonging to a group of individuals who share in the similar experience of parenting a child with ASD.

According to Community Autism Resources’ Co-Executive Director, Kate Dansereau, “We feel the Parent Retreat aligns with the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism’s mission ‘To help people and families affected by autism live life to the fullest.’ This retreat provides parents and/or guardians the opportunity to learn new strategies to improve the quality of life for not only for their children with ASD but for the entire family.”

“The Flutie Foundation Signature Grants help our partner agencies address a variety of significant needs in the autism community,” says Nick Savarese, Executive Director of The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. “Programs like these are helping people on the autism spectrum live life to the fullest and we are proud to support their efforts.”

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, based in Framingham, MA, awards grants annually through a competitive application and review process. The signature grants that the Flutie Foundation distributed this year support traditionally under-served, under-funded, culturally diverse communities reflected in the Foundation's areas of interest; providing a path for educational and vocational skills, supporting recreational and active lifestyles, and ensuring people with autism are safe, supported and informed.

For more information about the Flutie Foundation, visit https://www.flutiefoundation.org. 

About the Flutie Foundation
Former NFL Quarterback, Doug Flutie, and his wife Laurie started the Doug Flutie, Jr. Flutie Foundation for Autism in 1998 after their son, Dougie, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Their personal experience of raising a son on the autism spectrum inspired them to help others on an equally long and challenging journey. Over its 20-year history, the Flutie Foundation has distributed over $15 million to schools and organizations who provide clinical therapies, respite services, recreational programs, social skills training, job supports and more for people affected by autism. The Flutie Foundation also provides education technology tools, adaptive camp scholarships, safety equipment, and direct family support through its partnerships and special initiatives.