A Year in Review
Furthering Our Mission
As 2023 comes to a close, we look back on another extraordinary year at Eden.
At our school, students learned new skills and applied them in and outside of the classroom to further their independence. Individuals in our Adult Services program were busy working and volunteering throughout the community, mastering daily living skills in their residences, and enjoying trips and leisure activities with their housemates. All of this was possible thanks to the commitment of our teachers, direct support professionals, community job coaches, speech therapists, and staff who remain dedicated to ensuring the individuals we support are cared for at every step of their journey.
This important work continues into the new year, and we need your help to continue to provide these services across the lifespan. From supplies for classrooms and nurses’ offices to community outings, every dollar donated helps support individuals with autism and their families.
Help make a difference in the lives of children and adults with autism by making a tax-deductible year-end gift to Eden Autism.
Eden Voices: Letter from an Eden mom
As I am sure many who are reading this letter will innately understand, the autism journey is not easy. Although autism impacts everyone differently, what remains constant are the life hurdles inherent in trying to live in a world that is not otherwise structured for their individual needs. This journey is one that we have lived with for fourteen years with my son Stanley.
To fully describe Stanley would take an entire book because he is so multi-dimensional. Stanley is equal parts humorous, passionate, affectionate, energetic, witty, artistic, and so much more. However, sometimes all the wonderful things about my son are overshadowed by his aggression and behavioral issues, which has made our autism journey prior to coming to Eden at times disappointing, frustrating, heartbreaking, and scary. Prior to finding Eden, Stanley had eloped from school, eloped from home, been rejected from childcare programs, referred for emergency psychiatric treatment, and more. It pains me to say that there have even been times when our family did not know if we could continue to keep Stanley safely in our home. Let me tell you that as a mother there is nothing scarier than that.
Little did I know that so much of those difficulties could be remedied by finding a program that truly understands and accepts Stanley. We found this in Eden. From day one, Stanley and our entire family felt fully supported through the good and bad, and I am happy to share that there has been much more good than bad since coming to Eden. Stanley’s team is replete with experienced professionals who understand what he needs, how he operates, and works daily to help him maximize his potential. Stanley loves everyone at Eden, and I know that I can speak for Stanley’s team in saying that they love him right back.
Our family prioritizes supporting Eden both through lifetime and legacy gifting because we are fortunate enough to personally experience the immeasurable positive impacts, not only to kiddos like Stanley, but to the entire family unit, through the tireless and compassionate work of everyone at Eden. We are forever grateful for the support we have received, and I consider it a personal responsibility to do what we can to make the world better for other families like ours by supporting organizations like Eden.
I can tell you firsthand that your support of Eden will be seen and felt throughout the organization, the numerous individuals they serve, and the families that love them. I am sure that we have all heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Well for those who love and care for individuals with autism, it takes a village to care for that person throughout their entire lifetime. As you can imagine this is no easy feat and requires significant resources. Organizations that provide such consistent, compassionate, and experienced care to individuals with autism are critical, yet few and far between. Eden is certainly one of them and I encourage you to support them by giving what you can today.
Sincerely,
Joanna Adu
Stanley’s Mom
“Eden is a place where hope is made possible. Parents can begin to hope again about their kids with autism in a way they weren’t able to prior to going to Eden. It’s where hope lives.”
– Eden Parent
Stanley's Story: Finding Success Within Himself
Before joining Eden, Stanley struggled with his self-regulation. He had a hard time making mistakes and getting things wrong. Today, thanks to his work with Eden's teachers, he can recognize the difference between a little problem and a big problem and stay focused on the task at hand. From cooking and organizing items to reading comprehension and math equations, Stanley can complete a variety of skills in and outside of the classroom!
“Eden makes sure to get the most out of your child and make them the best they can be.”
– Eden Parent
