Fund Jonah's Future at Independence Academy

We are raising money so that Jonah can continue growing academically and socially through his education at Independence Academy - a great school that is perfect for someone like him.

Jonah's History: Jonah was diagnosed with Autism when he was 2 years old. After a lot of prayer we decided to move to Indiana, where from the ages of 3-11, Jonah received ABA therapy for over 40 hours a week. After he graduated out of ABA therapy, he went to public school for the first time without a one-on-one therapist. This proved to be a terrible year as his grades fell and he was bullied. We pulled him out at the end of 4th grade and homeschooled him for three years. Three years ago, we decided he needed more than what we could give him at home. We considered public school again, but Jonah has a very difficult time communicating and copes by scripting. Scripting makes it very difficult for people to accept him and for him to learn at the same pace as typically developing kids. When we spoke to Jonah about going to public school again, his anxiety went through the roof. He said, with unusually crystal-clear communication, "That would be death to me." We researched and found a school that is just for kids with Autism, called Independence Academy (IA). We created a GoFundMe and with the financial help of our friends and family, we were able to apply and enroll him in this fantastic school. He has had a wonderful 3 years of actively participating in learning, gaining life skills for his future, and building relationships.

Highlights from Jonah's 10th Grade Year: Jonah successfully completed all of his classes and his teachers brag on his participation, effort and social skills in class. He was able to work through some of his struggles in different therapies including recreational, speech, and music therapies. Last summer, through IA, he was able to obtain a paid internship with ArtMix, in which he worked 6 hours a week to create functional art that is sold in their shop (Artmix Website). He is continuing that internship this year and had his first day today. While this was a successful year, it is important to note that Jonah did have some struggles this year. Without going into the details, please understand that no school could have handled his struggles like Independence Academy. IA was extremely understanding, communicated with us clearly, and patiently helped to get him back on track. They are truly a good friend to him and make every effort to fulfill his special needs.

About Independence Academy: IA is a great school that is accredited, has a 5:1 student to faculty ratio, and is supported by or affiliated with some of the best Autism organizations in our state. For more information about Independence Academy, click here: IA Website

The Financial Need: Jonah has again enrolled at this school for next year, and he is looking forward to continuing his journey with IA. Jonah was able to obtain scholarships totaling $7,188. Unfortunately, that does not cover IA’s current tuition of $18,565. This makes it very hard for his parents to afford, who are both educators.

Our Request: We are once again asking for your help so that Jonah can continue in a school where he feels like he belongs... A school where he can learn at a pace that is manageable for him... A school that cares about him… A school that will help him transition into the next stage of his life... A place where he can build upon the relationships that he has already started. We would truly appreciate anything you could donate. Thank you for your consideration!