FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 21, 2025) — Family Initiative’s basketball team celebrated a major milestone Wednesday morning with a 67-55 victory in its inaugural game against Fort Myers High School’s Unified Green Wave Special Education Team.
Family Initiative, Southwest Florida’s leading nonprofit dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), launched its pilot sports program, FI Champs, earlier this year. The program aims to encourage creativity through movement and promote the importance of physical activity among ASD youth.
As the program grew, coaches noticed a passion that needed to be fueled beyond learning just the basics of basketball.
With the support of the local community, Family Initiative partnered with Fort Myers High School to organize the team’s first official game. Hosted at the school, the event brought together Family Initiative’s team and the school’s special education team, the Unified Green Wave, in a celebration of inclusion, sportsmanship, and autism acceptance. Eleven players from Family Initiative joined the roster and played two 20-minute halves, taking the lead in each.
“The opportunity to have Family Initiative and Fort Myers High School partner up to play unified basketball was exciting. I was so impressed with both teams’ ability to come together and make sure each individual had a great experience,” said Garet Copeland, Fort Myers High School Unified coach.
We also want to extend a special thank you to the Lee County School District, Lee County Parks and Recreation Special Olympics coordinator Don Payne, Fort Myers High School Unified coach Garet Copeland, and Family Initiative board member Cliff Smith. None of this would be possible without your vision and support.
“It was truly an honor to watch our players in action today,” said Kate Barker, program manager at Family Initiative. “They’ve practiced week after week in preparation for this moment. Seeing their confidence grow, the way they encouraged one another, and the pure joy on their faces after making a basket—those are the moments I’ll remember forever.” Family Initiative plans to expand its basketball program and hopes to participate in local competitions and eventually the Special Olympics. The organization remains committed to showing that anything is possible for individuals on the autism spectrum.
About Family Initiative:
Established in 2015, Family Initiative Inc. is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and young adults with autism and strengthening their families. Its team of clinicians serves families through a compassionate, personalized approach using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Occupational Therapy (OT) services, and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). The organization offers social skills groups for all ages, caregiver support, community training, private school education, vocational training, and more. FI also provides child welfare support and services across Florida through its Family Impact Program. Visit FI-Florida.org, or find Family Initiative on Facebook and Instagram @FamilyInitiative, and on X @FI_Inc.
