
    <div class="challenge-data-title">
        What are you doing to lead others and to help the community, and what have been the results of your actions?
    </div>
    <p>Establishing after school programs for children with autism in the inner city. Currently there are no affordable programs like PEEA that exist. Thus far the results are more parents are contacting PEEA because they have a child or children on the spectrum and are desperately trying to find resources. Since no other programs exist, I&#39;m the only resource. Due to the rising number of documented cases, this is a much needed program. This type of service could help support children,families and researches gain statistical data that maybe beneficial in trying to understand autism. The saying for autism &quot;if you don&#39;t know someone with autism you soon will&quot;. I&#39;ve been trying to establish this type of resource in communities since 2004. I&#39;ve spent valuable time and finances trying to make a difference. I&#39;m very passionate and dedicated to this cause. Most important, I&#39;m a parent raising a child with autism.My family and I have to live with this for the rest of our life.  </p>
    
		<div class="challenge-data-title">Choose the project category or categories:</div>
		<ul style="padding-left: 0;">
			
				<li>community building (helping to create or promote a sense of belonging and caring)</li>
			
		</ul>
    
    
		<div class="challenge-data-title">Brief summary of the community issue or opportunity the project will address:</div>
		<p>Project Elijah Empowering Autism is an after school program for school aged children on the autism spectrum. PEEA is named after my 13 year old son Elijah, who at age three was diagnosed with autism. PEEA will be staffed three days a week by Penn Speaks for Autism. Penn Speaks for Autism is a student volunteer organization from the University Of Pennsylvania. KenCrest will staff the other two days. PEEA, is unique and innovative because most foundations focus on finding a cure. This is unacceptable not to have proper facilities for our children and families who desperately need help!</p>
    
    
		<div class="challenge-data-title">State how the project will work – the activities and timeline:</div>
		<p>In a nurturing, safe and friendly environment, PEEA will offer speech, gross motor, recreation, music, inclusion and life skills therapies that will stimulate sensory functions in an integrated setting in preparation for independent living. PEEA plans to open January 2012 on the campus of KenCrest located 59th &amp; Elmwood Avenue in the Southwest Philadelphia section of the city. Along with this service, PEEA and Penn Speaks for Autism offer free quarterly sensory workshops at the Free Library of Philadelphia located at 40TH &amp; Walnut St in West Philadelphia. PEEA has partnered with Temple University menʼs and womenʼs tennis teams to host two tennis clinics on the beautiful campus of Temple University for individuals with autism. PEEA is currently negotiating with KenCrest to offer a summer camp for individuals on the autism spectrum. I am also a volunteer basketball coach for Special Olympics organization.</p>
    
    
        <div class="challenge-data-title">State the results you wish to achieve:</div>
        <p>My goal is to offer PEEA programs to families who are faced with autism on a daily basis. Most families in my community have limited or no resources such as PEEA. There are no affordable good quality centers
in the inner city. They are only offered in the suburbs or main line which are to far and expensive for low to moderate income families. My family included. This could serve as a pilot program with goals of expanding to several communities throughout the US and internationally.</p>
    
    
        <div class="challenge-data-title">Choose the project category or categories:</div>
        <p>up to $50,000</p>
    
    
        <div class="challenge-data-title">Who is leading the project? State the name of the person or the project team:</div>
        <p>Eric D. Williams - Founder/CEO Dionne Jones - Director of Educational Programs for KenCrest Employnet Alison Lai &amp; Michele Fang-Founders of Penn Speaks for Autism</p>
    
    
        <div class="challenge-data-title">How will the project engage others in this issue or opportunity affecting the community?</div>
        <p>Autism is the fastest spreading developmental disability and has no ethnic or geographical boundaries. My community (West &amp; Southwest Philadelphia) has the highest number of documented cases for individuals 5 to 21 with autism. Not only am I an advocate for PEEA &amp; autism, Iʼm also a parent. My passion and determination have given me the opportunity to “BME” and share my vision of PEEA through interviews on various media outlets. Visit www.peea.org for more information. These interviews give parents a sense of hope and confidence to take a responsible stance to improve the lives of their loved one with autism and family. My message is supported by them attending PEEA sponsored events and spreading the word about this epidemic that is affecting the black and many other communities. The saying for autism is “if you donʼt know someone with autism, you soon will.” As a black male, I accept this challenge to change the world one step at a time. “You canʼt lead unless you love and you canʼt save until you serve.” (Dr. Cornell West). Thank you BME for allowing me the platform to BME!</p>