2021 Norma and Malcom Baker Recreation Grant Recipients
114 organizations across 31 states received funding for community programs
May 3, 2022We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2021 Autism Speaks Norma and Malcom Baker Recreation Grants. These grants fund programs that provide autistic people of all ages with social and educational experiences that positively impact their daily lives and help them reach their full potential.
Organizations were awarded grant funding of up to $5,000
Their programs fund a range of initiatives, including summer camps, adult services, adult employment programs, physical fitness activities and swimming and water safety programs.
Grant applications were reviewed by a team of independent evaluators. The reviewers consisted of people with autism, parents, caregivers, clinicians and other supporters of the autism community. Autism Speaks asks reviewers to evaluate applications in their local area so that submissions are reviewed with the current needs of the community in mind. Once the evaluation process was completed, the top-rated finalists were approved for funding by our organization's leadership team.
Grant recipients were chosen based on their ability to:
- reach a wide age range of people on the spectrum
- have a true, measurable impact on the lives of those who participate and their loved ones
- grow and replicate best practices with other partners in their community, state or region
Since 2018, the Autism Speaks Baker Grant program has awarded over $1,094,000 to 237 organizations nationwide and served tens of thousands of people with autism, their caregivers, families, teachers, therapists and peers.
Thank you to all of our grant winners and applicants. We appreciate your dedication to serve our community.
Autism Speaks 2021 Grant Recipients
Organization | Project Name | Category | City |
Arts 'n Autism Inc. | Arts 'n Autism 2022 Summer SPLASH Camps | Swimming and Water Safety | Tuscaloosa, AL |
Auburn University | Enhancing Training of Adapted CrossFit Instructors to Improve Access for Individuals with ASD | Physical Fitness and Sports | Auburn, AL |
Rockin' Baker Academy | H.O.P.E. | Employment | Fayetteville, AR |
Ability360 | Autism Empowerment Program (AEP) | Physical Fitness and Sports | Phoenix, AZ |
Detour Company Theatre | The Academy | Adult Services | Scottsdale, AZ |
Echoing Hope Ranch | Group Supported Employment (GSE) | Employment | Hereford, AZ |
5-Eleven Hoops | Project Bridge The Gap | Physical Fitness and Sports | Long Beach, CA |
AbilityFirst | AbilityFirst Camp Paivika | Summer Camps | Pasadena, CA |
Autism Peer 1 on 1 | Autism Peer 1 on 1 | Summer Camps | Cypress, CA |
Autism Society San Diego | Camp I CAN (Camp Including Children with Autism Now) | Summer Camps | San Diego, CA |
Carlos Vieira Foundation | Autism Days | Summer Camps | Livingston, CA |
Code the Spectrum | Coding Star Summer Camp for Kids on the Autism Spectrum | Summer Camps | Irvine, CA |
Desert Recreation Foundation | Adaptive Special Events for Community Inclusion | Adult Services | Indio, CA |
Etta Israel Center | Summer@ETTA 2022 | Summer Camps | North Hollywood, CA |
Gateway Center of Monterey County Inc. | Without Walls | Adult Services | Pacific Grove, CA |
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center | Inclusion Aides for Campers with Autism | Summer Camps | La Jolla, CA |
Poppy Life Care | Nutritional Program | Physical Fitness and Sports | Newport Beach, CA |
RAD Camp Inc. | Bringing Back RAD In-Person Summer Camps in 2022 | Summer Camps | Irvine, CA |
Tara's Chance | Equine Therapy | Physical Fitness and Sports | Fullerton, CA |
United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Sacramento | Summer CAMP for Kids | Summer Camps | Sacramento, CA |
Abilis | Abilis Employment Program | Employment | Greenwich, CT |
Benhaven Inc. | Career and Transition Services | Employment | North Haven, CT |
Arts for Autism | Arts for Autism Spectrum Dance Therapy | Summer Camps | Hialeah, FL |
Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities Inc. D/B/A The Haven | Sumer Camp Scholarships for Teens with ASD | Summer Camps | Sarasota, FL |
Freedom Sailing Camp of Florida Inc. | Out of the Comfort Zone and on the Water Sailing | Summer Camps | Clearwater, FL |
Greater Miami Youth Symphony | Homestead Summer Camp 2022 | Summer Camps | Miami, FL |
Miami Dance Project Inc. | Miami Dance Project 2022 Summer Dance Camp | Summer Camps | Pinecrest, FL |
St. Andrew Bay Center Inc. | Adult Day Training | Adult Services | Lynn Haven, FL |
University of Central Florida Foundation Inc. | Camp iREAD (intensive Reading for the Enrichment of Academic Development) | Summer Camps | Orlando, FL |
University of Miami | Evaluating the Good Behavior Game with Children with ASD | Physical Fitness and Sports | Coral Gables, FL |
Camp Southern Ground | Swim and Water Safety for Neurodiverse Campers | Swimming and Water Safety | Fayetteville, GA |
Extra Special People Inc. | Corps Class | Adult Services | Watkinsville, GA |
Forsyth County Parks and Recreation | Camp I Can Summer Camp Scholarships | Summer Camps | Cumming, GA |
Hands & Hearts for Horses | Summer Camp | Summer Camps | Thomasville, GA |
Rockdale County | Swimming For Everyone | Swimming and Water Safety | Conyers, GA |
Thomasville Autism Center | Responding to the Needs of Children and Families Living with ASD in the Southern Georgia Area | Summer Camps | Thomasville, GA |
YMCA of Metro Atlanta | YMCA of Metro Atlanta's Swim and Water Safety Lessons for Children with Autism | Swimming and Water Safety | Atlanta, GA |
Lanakila Pacific | Lanakila Pacific PEERS® Social Skills Training for Young Adults | Employment | Honolulu, HI |
Mosaic Haven LLC. | Future Ready Transition Program | Employment | Urbandale, IA |
Barbara Olson Center of Hope | Community Inclusion Project | Adult Services | Rockford, IL |
Brehm Preparatory Schools Inc. | Giant City Stables Equine Therapy Program at Brehm Preparatory School - Let's Ride! | Physical Fitness and Sports | Carbondale, IL |
Giant Steps | Improving Affordability of Winter Rec Camps 2021 | Summer Camps | Lisle, IL |
Keshet | Keshet Winter Camp | Summer Camps | Northbook, IL |
Special Gifts Theatre | Creating Outside the Lines: Educational, Therapeutic, Recreational Theatre Arts Program | Adult Services | Northbrook, IL |
The Hope School | Vocational Resource Room for Individuals with Autism | Employment | Springfield, IL |
Autism Community Connection | My Summer Journey | Summer Camps | Greenwood, IN |
Portage Township Trustee | Portage Township Autism Action Coalition Water Safety Classes | Swimming and Water Safety | Portage, IN |
Arrowhead West Inc. | Outdoor Inclusion | Adult Services | Dodge City, KS |
Tankproof | Tankproof: Saving 1 Life at a Time | Swimming and Water Safety | Prairieville, LA |
Gnome Inc. | Happy Camp with Gnome Surf | Summer Camps | Fall River, MA |
Kennedy-Donovan Center Inc. | Expanding KDC's ASD-only Programming | Adult Services | Foxboro, MA |
Plugged In Band Program | Summer Camp 2022 | Summer Camps | Needham, MA |
Create Calm | Fostering Safety, Mobility and Community Engagement: Yoga for Physical and Emotional Wellness | Physical Fitness and Sports | Rockville, MD |
End Hunger in Calvert County | Culinary Workforce Development Program | Employment | Huntingtown, MD |
Karina Association Inc. | Data Entry Learning Program | Employment | Timonium, MD |
Madison House Autism Foundation | Job Readiness Program (JRP) at Madison Fields | Employment | Rockville, MD |
Pathfinders for Autism | Driver Safety Program: What To Do During a Traffic Stop | Adult Services | Hunt Valley, MD |
Sports Plus Group Inc. | Instructional Swim Program-From Water Safety to Learn to Swim and Swim Team Participation | Swimming and Water Safety | Gaithersburg, MD |
The Indigo Child Therapeutic | The Indigo Child Therapeutic | Summer Camps | Upper Marlboro, MD |
The Miracle League of Harford County Inc. | The Miracle League of Harford County Inc. | Physical Fitness and Sports | Forest Hill, MD |
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital | Removing Barriers to Recreation - Swimming Classes for Youth with Autism | Swimming and Water Safety | Grand Rapids, MI |
Autism Friendly Austin at the Hormel Historic Home | Autism Friendly Austin 3 Summer Camps at the Hormel Historic Home | Summer Camps | Austin, MN |
Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis | Adventure Camp 2022 | Summer Camps | St. Louis, MO |
Autism Charlotte | Extended Learning & Development | Summer Camps | Charlotte, NC |
Transitions Foundation-NC | A Non-Profit Educational Program for Students with Autism Attending Community College | Adult Services | Wilmington, NC |
Arc of Monmouth | LIFE (Liberty Institute for Empowerment) | Employment | Tinton Falls, NJ |
Employment Network Team of NJ | Employment Readiness & Counseling Services for Autistic Adults | Employment | Princeton, NJ |
Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges | Summer Day Camp Inclusion Program | Summer Camps | Livingston, NJ |
Teaching Older Adults Digital Skills - DBA TOADS | Project: Train TOADS Team Members | Employment | Burlington, NJ |
We Make, Autism At Work | We Make Works! | Employment | Pennington, NJ |
YMCA of Westfield, NJ | Inclusion Day Camp | Summer Camps | Westfield, NJ |
Adapt Ability | Adapt Ability 4Ride | Summer Camps | Brooklyn, NY |
Center for All Abilities Inc. | Enhancing Project: A Vocational Training Program for Youth and Young Adults with Autism | Employment | New York, NY |
Eden II/Genesis Programs | LGBTQ in Autism Spectrum Disorder | Adult Services | East Meadow, NY |
Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship | Equine Therapeutic Horsemanship Technology | Physical Fitness and Sports | Bedford Corners, NY |
Kelberman Center | Sensational Swim – Water Safety and Swimming Instruction | Swimming and Water Safety | Utica, NY |
Kelly Newby, PsyD PLLC THRIVE Day Camp | THRIVE Therapeutic Day Camp | Summer Camps | Rochester, NY |
Ken Crew Inc. | Rethinking an Inclusive Workforce in the Retail Industry | Employment | New York, NY |
Nicholas Center Ltd. | TNC Studios - A Social Media Outlet of the ASD Perspective | Adult Services | Port Washington, NY |
SPARC Inc. | Summer Magic | Summer Camps | Yorktown Heights, NY |
Spectrum Designs Foundation | Workforce Ambassador Program-Sustaining meaningful employment opportunities for Autistic Adults | Employment | Port Washington, NY |
Yes She Can Inc. | Autistic Women at Work (AWW) | Employment | White Plains, NY |
Achievement Centers for Children | Therapeutic Horsemanship Program for Children 4 and Older with Autism | Physical Fitness and Sports | Highland Hills, OH |
Autism Model Community School | Full STEAM Ahead! Summer Challenge | Summer Camps | Toledo, OH |
Dreams on Horseback | Speaking Horse - A Communication Horse Lover's Camp for Children with Autism | Summer Camps | Blacklick, OH |
Learning 4 Life Farm | Learning 4 Life Farm 2022 Student Garden | Employment | Johnstown, OH |
Victoria Theatre Association d.b.a Dayton Live | School House Rock "Sensory Friendly" Performance | Adult Services | Dayton, OH |
Kind Tree Productions Inc. | KindTree - Autism Rocks Friends and Family Camp | Summer Camps | Eugene, OR |
ABA Abilities LLC | ABA Abilities | Physical Fitness and Sports | Forest Hills, PA |
Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit#21 | Spinning Towards Fitness | Physical Fitness and Sports | Schnecksville, PA |
Keystone Autism Systems DBA Keystone Human Services | Achieving Competitive Employment (ACE) | Employment | Harrisburg, PA |
Wesley Family Services | Play, Pause, Breathe - Yoga with WFS Creative Arts | Physical Fitness and Sports | Pittsburgh, PA |
Anderson School District Five Educational Foundation | Lifeskills Learning | Employment | Anderson, SC |
S.O.S. Health Care Inc. | Summer Camp Tuition Scholarships for Children and Youth with Autism in Coastal South Carolina | Summer Camps | Murrells Inlet, SC |
ABA NEXT STEPS | ABA Next Steps | Employment | Lenoir City, TN |
Emory Valley Center | Physical Fitness and Sports Program | Physical Fitness and Sports | Oak Ridge, TN |
Nashville Dolphins | Nashville Dolphins Adaptive Aquatics 2022 Swim Team Program | Swimming and Water Safety | Nashville, TN |
St. Columba Episcopal Conference & Retreat Center | Camp Able | Summer Camps | Memphis, TN |
Be A Ninth Wonder Foundation | Super Elite Basketball Clinic for Autism and Special Needs | Summer Camps | Houston, TX |
Camp Summit | Campership and Financial Assistance for Individuals with Autism to Attend Barrier-Free Camp | Summer Camps | Dallas, TX |
Care Warriors Inc. | Care Warriors Unique Experience | Employment | San Antonio, TX |
LeTourneau University | The Bridges College Success Program | Employment | Longview, TX |
The LEAP Institute | Lighthouse Learning Center | Summer Camps | Lubbock, TX |
Commonwealth Residential Living LLC | Commonwealth Residential living | Adult Services | Sandston, VA |
Complete The Puzzle | Soul Bowlers | Physical Fitness and Sports | Portsmouth, VA |
Hope Floats Foundation | Serving the Swimming Spectrum: Access to Private Lessons for Low-Income Autistic Children | Swimming and Water Safety | Woodbridge, VA |
Jacob's Chance | Buddy Athletics and Outdoor Adventures | Physical Fitness and Sports | Richmond, VA |
Northstar Academy | Northstar Career Academy | Employment | Richmond, VA |
Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center | Inclusive Horse Camp | Summer Camps | Haymarket, VA |
Greater Burlington YMCA | YMCA Adaptive Swim Program | Swimming and Water Safety | Burlington, VT |
Courageous Connections | Horse Essentials | Physical Fitness and Sports | Tulalip, WA |
Islands of Brilliance | Islands of Brilliance Sandbox Summer Camps: Intervention through Exploration & Creativity | Summer Camps | Milwaukee, WI |