Youngstown community invited to attend fundraiser for construction of Dylan’s House
According to research, only 7% of autistic adults in America have access to the support needed to live outside of their family home.
There are organizations working hard in the Mahoning Valley by helping these individuals find the right fit to begin their adult lives.
Welcome to Dylan’s House
Dylan’s House is a Mahoning Valley-based nonprofit created to promote independence for autistic individuals of all ages by assisting with suitable housing and support for caregivers. Dylan’s House was created by Shope and his wife, Amy.
The organization was founded by the couple in 2022, and the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley recently donated a portion of land for the first physical Dylan’s House to be built on Glenwood Avenue in Youngstown.
“We are incredibly grateful for this community collaboration,” said Kevin Shope, director of Dylan’s House. “We were shopping for property to begin our efforts, so this donation couldn’t have come at a better time!”
The groups came together with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber to cut the ribbon yesterday at the future Dylan’s House.
The 2-acre lot was purchased by the Autism Society in 1990 with the hopes of building an adult housing complex. Plans were delayed and the idea was put on the shelf – until Dylan’s House came into the picture.
“We are excited to see this land realize the dream of our founders,” said Robin Suzelis, director of the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley. “Autism is a spectrum full of varying levels of need. Many adults will require the support of shared living to achieve their most independent life. This is a great step toward filling a major community need.”
More information about their mission and service work is available at autismmv.org or by calling 330-333-9609.
Supporting adults with autism
To help get this project up and running, the community is invited to attend the first major Dylan’s House fundraiser.
It’s happening Sunday from 2 – 7 p.m. at Steel Valley Brew Works located at the Southern Park Mall. Headlined by high-energy local rockers RDNA, the “Sunday Funday”fundraiser will have food, music, raffles and auctions.
More information about Dylan’s House is available on Facebook.
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