Hello! My name is Jennifer (Jenny) Ray. I am a therapist specializing in children and families with a specialty in individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am here asking for funds to finally help me achieve a long-time dream of mine to be able to create something that is so needed within the world of Autism.

As a provider in this field for over 20 years, I have become well aware of many of the strengths and great resources and supports that are out there. However, I have become all too familiar with the lack of resources in some areas and where the limitations lie within the establishments built to help individuals with Autism. It is not necessarily because there isn’t the desire to help but more so a lack of understanding of the needs.

Therefore, I am here asking for help raising funds to develop and establish a clinic that is meant to service a segment of the population of individuals with Autism that is in dire need and greatly overlooked. While there are many supports in place for lower-functioning individuals, there are very few supports for those individuals who are high-functioning. Oftentimes these individuals are overlooked or underserved because their needs do not appear drastic until they are out of school and lose many of the naturally instilled supports each school environment created for them. By this time, seeking or finding services and supports are too late; and more often than not these individuals are left to figure it out with little success independently.

When they are left to transition to adulthood and expected to function as a neurotypical adult because they made it so far doing so well, that’s when the lack of support is evident and the needs of these individuals become drastic and more in need of support.

My goal is to bridge that transition and gap and offer supports to the high-functioning Autistic population at their initial stages of transitioning to adulthood and provide them with resources and tools to flourish and achieve functional independence. After years and years in this field, my understanding of the need this population has comes directly from the source. It is through this experience that I have been able to create tailor-fit programs and workshops and support systems to provide the foundation for the higher-functioning Autistic population to thrive. My clinic is set to establish weekly classes and hands-on supports and resources to support all areas and aspects of this transition and provide these individuals with all the essential tools many times overlooked.

Donations are currently being raised in order to run a one-year pilot program with all costs of rent, furniture, start-up and marketing fees, and some staffing wages covered. You may be asking why would I need all this covered and sought for through donations… good question! Here’s the breakdown:

Currently, in order to get licensed in the state of California I need to have the facility in which I am going to operate out of established and ready for use. You may ask why… well, after taking the first part of the licensing process, the second part entails inspection of the property and requirement of fire code permits. I cannot obtain a property without a minimum commitment of a 1-year lease, and as hopeful and optimistic as I am about the success this clinic will have, it isn’t a guarantee and it will take time to get it running all while the business will not be making money, but requiring money to start up.

Additionally, I cannot become vendorized with Regional Center or become a Medi-Cal provider until I am licensed and have an established facility. This is one of my biggest goals in opening this clinic so that I can provide the supports and access to all high-functioning individuals regardless of financial ability.

I currently have everything else set and ready to go. From curriculum, to potential staff and other partnerships to build a successful clinic to support the needs of such a special group of people within this world. Your donations are truly appreciated and will definitely be put to great use!

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read it this far, share my story, donate, or simply just encourage from the sidelines! It truly takes a village.