Autism Beyond 21 Centre Is A Beacon Of Hope And Support
A recent fundraiser shone a light on fulfilling the lives of adults on the autism spectrum.
With the most recent statistics showing that 135,000 individuals in Ontario are on the autism spectrum, which includes 2.1 per cent of children and youth aged 5 to 17, it’s safe to say that almost everyone in the province knows a person or family touched by autism.
While the focus has mainly been on children and youth, since its founding in 2023 Autism Beyond 21 has been a beacon of hope and support for adults with autism, ensuring that each individual can lead a fulfilling life beyond the age of 21. It recently held its first-ever fundraising gala — Autism Beyond 21 Inaugural Gala — with 700 supporters of this worthwhile and much-needed initiative in attendance, including a number of political dignitaries.
Autism Beyond 21 was founded on the simple belief that individuals with autism deserve every opportunity to thrive — not just as children, but as adults shaping their own futures. Too often, the transition into adulthood results in limited resources and fading support systems. Autism Beyond 21 wants to shift that narrative, and to that end opened the Autism Beyond 21 Centre in Woodbridge just a few months ago to expand their services.
Following the Inaugural Gala, City Life Magazine spoke with co- founders and board members John DeBartolo and Carmela Forcella, who are still basking in the impact their young organization is making in the community and the encouraging level of support they are enjoying.
“With 700 people showing up, it was very emotional,” says DeBartolo, who first started a school for autistic youth 25 years ago, when support in Canada was basically nonexistent. “We raised more than $200,000 from the event, which just crushed our expectations. The kind of support we received was just amazing. We have been blessed by our supporters, and we are humbled and inspired to see what parents of autistic kids can do.”
“We raised more than $200,000 from the event, which just crushed our expectations. The kind of support we received was just amazing. We have been blessed by our supporters, and we are humbled and inspired to see what parents of autistic kids can do.”
“At 21, you get aged out, and everybody just says, ‘good luck,’” says Forcella. “But autism doesn’t end at 21. We’re still navigating our children through life, and if we don’t make them as self-sufficient as possible and able to live a life as independently as possible, then when we [parents] are gone, they will become an even larger burden on society, so we’re just trying to help navigate them through society.”
Autism Beyond 21 is filling a real gap in a care system that used to be nothing more than glorified day- care, they note. The organization is stepping in to fill this void by offering a variety of activities and opportunities specifically tailored to help adults with autism develop their skills, explore their abilities, and pursue their interests to help make their lives more fulfilling. It is committed to nurturing well-being and autonomy of autistic people who are beyond the age of 21, including partnering with government agencies to uncover job-placement opportunities.
The Vaughan Region is full of good people like John DeBartolo and Carmela Forcella. Judging by the response to the Autism Beyond 21 Inaugural Gala, there are many more doing their part and who believe that every person deserves respect and dignity.
INTERVIEW BY MARC CASTALDO
