Help save We Rock The Spectrum Antioch!

We Rock The Spectrum Antioch, a recreation and event facility focused primarily on children with autism or other neurodiversity, may never be able to open its doors without your help! $75,000 is needed to ensure this community resource can get across the starting line and open.

We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym is a franchise business with 140 or so locations around the world, serving the neurodiverse community and their families with opportunities for active play, after school care, social groups, and other programs. East Contra Costa County sorely needs businesses like this.

A new location in Antioch was on track for a July 22nd grand opening when the owners discovered, with just three days to go, that their contractor had dropped the ball on permits before closing up shop and disappearing. The contractor never even started the process to get a permit from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, a process that can take months. The contractor also didn't follow all of the safety codes, leaving the owners, Erika and Chris Buxton, having to pay the surprise remediation costs themselves.

The company broke ground in January for what was supposed to be a four month construction project. After months of delays, they were excited to open to the public in July, only to be told they couldn't open without a fire permit, something that should have been arranged by the contractor. Now nearly four months into the remediation process, having hired new contractors and working toward getting all of this sorted out, the Buxtons have just about burned through all of their startup capital -- their savings, the equity in their home, and more. Just the remediations, not including the carrying cost of renting the space, have so far cost $25,000.

Throughout this stressful process, the Buxtons have had life throw some additional curveballs at them. Erika was diagnosed with multiple pulmonary emboli and DVT, which required her to be briefly hospitalized. Her mother was also diagnosed with dementia, which added to the emotional and financial strain that the Buxtons are under.

Erika and Chris are determined to bring this vital business into Antioch. They intend to provide services to children who need them, employment to neurodiverse adults, and resources, (and respite) to parents and families -- all the things they wish had been available when they were raising their own now-adult son with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An estimated $50,000 is needed in order to cover expenses and operating costs until We Rock the Spectrum Antioch can open, and stave off bankruptcy for the Buxtons.

If you would like to know more about We Rock The Spectrum please visit the Website, Instagram, or Facebook