As we reflect on the year, we are inspired by families like the Altermans, who, thanks to REED, feel a sense of optimism for their son Charlie.

“Since Charlie turned 16, he has been gaining valuable work experience in the community, helping us better understand his skills and interests,” explains his mom, Liz. “To see him thrive in these jobs has given us hope.”

Your contributions have already made a difference for families like the Altermans, but there is still more to be done. Over the next decade, approximately 1 million teens will age out of school-based autism services. “REED has meant so much to our family. My hope is that others can receive the same opportunities,” Liz adds.

Will you help us secure a brighter future for others like Charlie who need our services? When you give to REED, you ensure individuals with autism receive the resources they need to learn, live, work, and thrive at every stage of life. Together, we can make a difference.

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That’s where REED steps in, providing vital resources during this transition and beyond. As we approach year’s end, we reflect on families we’ve touched, like the Kaufmanns, whose son Chase has flourished thanks to supporters like you.

Chase’s autism diagnosis was devastating, shattering their dreams as they watched him withdraw from the world. By age two, he was receiving 40 hours a week of home-based therapy, working harder than any child they knew.

Their prayers were answered when Chase was accepted into REED Academy at age three. “That moment shifted our mindset from despair to hope, giving our son the chance to reach his fullest potential,” explains his mother, Karen. Now 21, he’s developed skills that wouldn’t have been possible without the program’s dedicated staff, who supported the family through their toughest times.

The Kaufmanns were incredibly proud to see him graduate from REED Academy this past June and successfully transition to the REED Next Adult Day Program. “As we watch him thrive, we recognize how fortunate we are,” adds Karen. “Not every family has access to a place like REED, and we believe everyone deserves the same peace and comfort.”

Will you join us in creating a brighter future for others like Chase who need our services? When you give to REED, you support our mission to provide individuals with autism the opportunity to learn, live, work, and thrive at every stage of life. Together, we can make a difference.

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For young adults with autism, turning 21 marks the end of vital school-based services and often presents a challenging path forward. “Any parent of a child with special needs starts worrying about this soon after diagnosis. It’s really the foremost concern,” her father Vikram, explains.

At REED, we’re dedicated to providing essential resources during this critical transition and beyond. We’re actively creating housing options that give parents peace of mind, knowing that their child will be well cared for at any age. We offer critical job training, supported employment opportunities, and meaningful community integration. But there’s more to be done, and we need your help.

Over the next decade, approximately 1 million teens will age out of their educational services. Vikram adds, “Supporting adulthood is essential for these individuals to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.”

Will you join us in making a profound difference for families like the Khemkas? By giving to REED, you’ll help us expand our programs and ensure individuals with autism can learn, live, work, and thrive at every stage of life. Together, we can turn hopes into reality.

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After a lively cocktail hour featuring music by Matty and the Cubano, along with specialty Shipwreck Rum cocktails, we focused on the significance of turning 21 for families of children with autism. As CEO Chantelle Walker explained, “Turning 21 is an exciting time, but for families with a loved one on the autism spectrum, it also brings new challenges. Tonight, we invite you on a journey to understand what this milestone means and why our work is so vital.” A heartfelt thank you to the families who shared their stories.

During our awards presentation, emceed by long-time REED Board Member Tim Pernetti, we honored Jack Fields, Jr., President of the Oritani Charitable Foundation, and Nick Savarese, Executive Director of the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, for their unwavering commitment to REED and our mission.

Left to right: John Fields, Jr., President, Oritani Charitable Foundation; Tim Pernetti, REED Board Member; and Nick Savarese, Executive Director, Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.

We extend our deep appreciation to our presenting sponsors: Ramsey Auto Group, the Picciano and Van Duren Families, and the Oritani Charitable Foundation. Your loyalty and ongoing support are invaluable!

We are incredibly grateful for the contributions of donors, friends, family, and staff that made this event a success. Your generosity and commitment enables us to continue our mission and provide essential services to the children, adults, and families we serve.

If you would like to contribute to REED, click here.

It was a beautiful summer day for the 4th Annual REED Foundation for Autism Golf Classic at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, NJ!

Golfers enjoyed 18 holes followed by cocktails and dinner, where we honored Anthony Fasano, Former 12-Year NFL Tight End, for his ongoing commitment to REED and the autism community.

We are grateful for the support from our sponsors, participants, and donors. A big thank you to our presenting sponsors, Ramsey Auto Group, and the Picciano and Van Duren Families for their continued role in making this event a success. Special thanks to Greens Do Good Farm Tech Jack DeSavino for highlighting the impact of our programs and the importance of community support.

Swipe through below to see some of the action, and be sure to mark your calendars for the REED Foundation for Autism 5th Annual Golf Classic on June 23, 2025!

Hackensack, NJ— Greens Do Good, a hydroponic vertical farm providing meaningful job training and employment to teens and adults with autism, is proud to announce its partnership with Bergen Community College on the New Jersey “NextGen Farm to Table Education, Employment, and Career Pathway” project. The collaboration aims to advance opportunities for diverse student populations, including neurodiverse youth and adults, in the fields of food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH).

The federal government recently awarded Bergen Community College a five-year, $4.5 million grant to help contribute to the growth of FANH professionals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals Program” sought proposals from colleges that would create pathways to employment in FANH fields, while prioritizing the selection of institutions that serve diverse student populations.

Among the initiatives, the college will create a farm to table pipeline of food grown at Bergen Community College. Through this partnership, Greens Do Good will collaborate with the college to expand and enhance program offerings. In addition to providing consultative services on hydroponic farming, Greens Do Good will focus on supporting neurodiverse individuals, offering Workforce Development coordination, job training, and mentorship.

PJ Ricatto, Principal Investigator of the NextGen For Sustainable Farming grant, and Professor of Chemistry, at Bergen Community College, stated, “We are very excited about partnering with Greens Do Good on our new USDA NextGen project; their expertise in vertical farming and workforce development for our neurodiverse population will help us create a diverse next generation of food and agriculture scientists, producers, engineers and logistics professionals.”

Chantelle Walker, CEO of REED Autism Services, explained, “We are honored that Bergen Community College chose to engage our expertise in hydroponic farming, as well as training and employing people on the autism spectrum. We are dedicated to expanding services to neurodiverse youth and adults, ultimately creating sustainable and scalable opportunities for individuals to thrive in the workforce.”

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Greens Do Good is a 501c3 non-profit organization and part of the REED Autism Services family of programs currently operating as a 3,000 square foot vertical farm located in Hackensack, NJ, growing a variety of lettuces, microgreens, and herbs sold retail, wholesale and direct to consumer. Since its inception in 2019, Greens Do Good has built a robust customer base of country clubs,restaurants and local markets and has grown its workforce development training program for teens ages 16-21 from 4 students to over 50 autistic students from 12 public and private school districts from three counties.

Hundreds of riders, runners, walkers, sponsors, and volunteers came together to raise critical funds to support REED and our event partners. Participants also had the chance to enjoy a Community Festival and Sponsor Pavilion. A special thank you to the Sabbagh Family, whose daughter attends REED Academy, for sharing their heartfelt story as part of the opening ceremony.

The success of the event would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors and donors. We are immensely grateful to Ramsey Auto Group for their unwavering support as our presenting sponsor. We’re already gearing up for next year’s event and the positive difference we can continue to make.

What inspired you to pursue a career in autism?

What motivated me to embark on a career in autism was a combination of academic exploration and hands-on experience during my undergraduate and graduate studies. As I started my undergraduate journey, I was drawn to fields that centered around aiding others, yet remained undecided about the specific profession I aimed to pursue. Ultimately, I elected to follow the Psychology-ABA track, driven by the desire to engage with and learn from a diverse array of professionals within the on-campus school environment, including speech-language therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and BCBAs. Through my experience as both an undergraduate trainee and supervisor within this setting, my dedication to working with autistic individuals deepened significantly. Witnessing the impactful efforts of the school staff and experiencing the profound connections formed while working with autistic individuals ignited a profound passion within me. Subsequently, upon completion of my Master’s degree, the natural progression was to merge my passion for speech pathology with my experience in ABA to pursue my professional aspirations.

What are the most rewarding aspects of your job at REED?

The most rewarding aspects of my role at REED are the impact of supporting effective communication among students and their families. Witnessing students acquire the ability to articulate their needs, preferences, and emotions not only enhances their communication skills but also empowers them to assert their individuality and advocate for themselves within their communities. Enabling individuals to navigate and engage with the world around them through communication is not only invaluable but serves as a cornerstone for fostering inclusivity and facilitating meaningful connections within diverse social contexts.

What skills and qualities do you consider essential for success in a career in autism?

Essential qualities for success in a career in autism encompass patience, persistence, compassion, and creativity. Given the non-linear nature of progress in education and life skills development, it’s imperative to maintain patience and persistence while navigating challenges and achieving goals. Specifically within the field of autism, it may take longer than expected to achieve a goal, gain access to a needed service, or come to the “correct” answer. Patience and persistence are key in these scenarios to ensure every individual reaches their maximum potential. Compassion plays a pivotal role in understanding and addressing the unique needs and challenges individuals face, fostering a personalized approach to their journey. Furthermore, the ability to think creatively and devise innovative solutions tailored to each individual is indispensable, as there may not always be a straightforward or universally applicable solution in this field.

Why does a career in autism make sense for students just entering the workforce?

As newly minted speech-language pathologists (SLPs) venture into the workforce, they encounter a diverse array of opportunities spanning various settings such as schools, early intervention programs, inpatient/outpatient facilities, and skilled nursing environments. Irrespective of the specific setting, it is probable that they will engage with autistic individuals requiring speech services. Opting for a career in autism enables these clinicians to refine their skills in tailoring assessments and treatments, fostering their creativity, and enhancing their aptitude for active listening. By investing time in understanding and learning from individuals on the autism spectrum, these new SLPs position themselves to become more adept clinicians, better equipped to meet the diverse needs of their clientele.

Where do you think the need is greatest in autism services? What potential areas within the field should people consider?

The greatest need within autism services, particularly concerning speech and language support, lies within Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). With technology continually evolving, the landscape of AAC is likely to expand and become increasingly complex. Comprehension of when and how to implement both high-tech and low-tech communication devices as supportive aids or alternative communication methods will be paramount. Focusing on Augmentative and Alternative Communication as a specialization within speech-language pathology presents a significant asset to the autism community, equipping professionals to be able to effectively meet the communication needs of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Considering a career in autism? Learn more about the many opportunities at REED Autism Services.

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I cannot emphasize enough what a lifeline this program has been for Evan and our family. Like any young adult, Evan desires more independence, freedom, and opportunities for socialization. Thanks to REED, he now engages in group activities such as trips to the YMCA, libraries, malls, parks and bowling with his peers. He is also gaining valuable work experience at Greens Do Good and Francesca Pizza. It is remarkable how much progress Evan has made both verbally and socially since his early days at REED.

Individuals with autism are often overlooked despite their many capabilities. Seeing Evan happy and flourishing has been our main focus therefore supporting REED for the last 13 years has been a natural choice for us. We have witnessed firsthand the incredible impact the organization has had on his development.

Please consider giving to the REED Foundation for Autism even if you are not directly touched by REED’s services. Every contribution helps create a more inclusive and supportive community for individuals like Evan.

Thank you for supporting REED’s life-changing work.

Warm regards,

Carol Winik

REED Autism Services has announced the launch of PATH, a two-year post-secondary certificate program in partnership with Felician University. Approved by the New Jersey Department of Education, PATH, which stands for Post-Secondary Achievement Through Hands-On Learning, is designed to impart crucial career readiness and life skills for students ages 18-21.

PATH blends dynamic classroom instruction with real-world application, emphasizing four key pillars: community engagement, employment, self-determination, and household/personal management. Classroom instruction is based on the licensed Learn4Independence® curriculum.The program also includes vocational training, equipping students with the tools for meaningful employment and independent living. 

Sarah David, Director, PATH explains, “The transition to adulthood can be challenging for many autistic individuals, and traditional educational models may not fully address their needs. PATH offers a supportive environment where students can develop essential skills, forge meaningful connections, and gain confidence, all while experiencing life as part of a college community.” 

Chantelle Walker, CEO, REED Autism Services, adds, “The launch of this critical programming is a testament to our commitment to addressing the needs of a growing autism community. We are thrilled to partner with Felician on this important initiative. As we continue to expand our reach in the autism community, PATH will undoubtedly make a profound difference in the lives of our students.”

Held on Felician University’s Rutherford campus, students can access Felician amenities, including the dining hall, fitness center, computer lab, gaming center, and study rooms. PATH students will receive individualized academic and social support to assist them with developing self-advocacy skills and integrating into the campus community.

Dr. Mildred Mihlon, President, Felician University states, “The PATH program aligns perfectly with Felician’s mission and vision. As an inclusive university, I am excited for the start of our collaborative effort with REED Autism Services and look forward to growing our support and programming for this important community of learners.”

To learn more about the program, click here, or email [email protected].