FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Family Initiative Purchases 4.5 Acre Campus to Expand Services to Autism Community
New location will host private autism specialty school and significantly expand services to the autism community
Cape Coral, Fla., (June 5, 2024) – Family Initiative, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing family-centered compassionate support, innovative programs and evidence-based therapies to children, teens and young adults impacted by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), announces the purchase of a 4.5acre campus, including 3 buildings with approximately 20,000 square feet under air. The campus is located in Cape Coral at the intersection of Chiquta Boulevard and Gleason Parkway. The campus will dramatically expand the services and support Family Initiative is able to provide to the autism community, including a private autism specialty school serving middle and high school students, Thrive Academy. Family Initiative received $5 million grant last year to initiate the school and plans for the campus.
“We have worked for over a decade to build supports and services for anyone in our region diagnosed with autism, and to create supports for their entire family,’ said Family Initiative Co-Founder and Vice President Anjali Van Drie. “The acquisition of this property is a game changer for the autism community, allowing Family Initiative to continue to expand capacity as the prevalence of autism continues to climb”.
“We are so excited to continue to invest in the autism community by creating the environment and supports for every individual to flourish. We believe talent is universal but opportunity is not. Thrive Academy, our private specialty school opening on the campus in the fall, will provide students a high-quality individualized education along with vocational training and wrap around clinical support to ensure students’ success. We cannot wait to see the incredible things ahead for the autism community” said President and Co-Founder David Brown, LCSW.
Family Initiative’s current continuum of care includes early intervention and access to community services: Free Autism Screenings (ages 0-3), Baby & Me Group (ages 1-4), ASD Social Skills Playgroup (ages 4 and up), FI Creates (ages 6 and up), Teen Hangout Group (ages 13-19), and Young Adult Group (ages 20-30+). The organization also offers support for family members including a Sibling group and a Parent Support Group. Thrive Academy, Family Initiative’s private autism specialty school, provides middle and high school students with a unique, and high quality educational experience.
Family Initiative is the leading ASD provider in Southwest Florida, also providing clinical services, workforce programs and community education for families across Southwest Florida. In 2023, Family Initiative served over 2600 children and continues to grow to meet the needs of the autism community.
To learn more about Family Initiative, the services they offer and their work in the community, visit FI-Florida.org or call 239-910-0712.
About Family Initiative
Established in 2015, Family Initiative, Inc. is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to supporting children with autism and strengthening their families. Its team of clinicians serves children from compassionate, personalized approach through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Occupational Therapy (OT) services, and offers autism play groups, teen meetings, parent education, community conversations and more. In addition, the organization provides child welfare caregiver training and support through its Family Impact Program. Visit FI-Florida.org or find Family Initiative on Facebook and Instagram at @FamilyInitiative and on X at @FI_Inc.
