The GRACE Foundation: Celebrating 25 Years of Membership
By Leslie Rivera, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
In August 2000, local parents and community members gathered around a dinner table to discuss the challenges and resources available to their children, many of whom had autism. With limited services and advocacy available, they asked, “What can we do to help our children feel part of the community?” From that conversation, the GRACE (Getting Resources for Autistic Children’s Equity) Foundation was born and has since become a hub where autistic youth can grow and thrive.
"When we started, culturally and socially, autism awareness and services looked way different than they do now," notes Cathy DelPriore, CEO and program director for the GRACE Foundation. "[Parents] want their children to feel like they fit in, that they are empowered and included, and that's the type of work the GRACE Foundation came together to achieve."
What began as a social-skills resource hub evolved into an after-school program offering sports, wellness, and educational activities. As participants grew older, the GRACE Foundation expanded its services to support them through adolescence and young adulthood. Today, its “day-hab” programs help adults 21 and older build life and professional skills, volunteer in the community, and gain hands-on culinary experience through the foundation’s café and food trucks.
In the 26 years since the organization’s inception, the GRACE Foundation has created several programs serving youth and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities by building life, social, and interpersonal skills, and building a long-term network of support for families in the community.
"We have program participants that have been with us since the very beginning; we have some of those original parents still actively involved with our work, whether it is through the board and other projects, so we are always looking forward to creating new avenues for the personal growth of our participants," said DelPriore.
For the vast majority of the organization’s existence, it has held a strong relationship with the Chamber. "These past 25 years we've had as Chamber members have been a serious commitment that we're very grateful for,” said DelPriore. “When I came into the non-profit sector, it helped greatly in learning about the local small businesses, and we've made long-standing, meaningful connections that have bloomed into great collaborations. Eden II, On Your Mark, Mike from Tekie Geek, and Michael Lanza, our chairman, who also represents Colonial Funeral Home, has been a chamber member for more than 25 years himself! We know that we can count on the Chamber's support as we continue to grow our organization and continue finding new ways to make the days of our community members brighter.”
This year, we proudly celebrate the GRACE Foundation’s strong commitment to our Staten Island families, youth, and workforce through their work and advocacy. Congratulations on 25 years of Chamber membership!
