News and Knowledge

Back in September, Dr. David Schiff, a professor of neurology at the University of Virginia, contacted OAR seeking information on its current and future programs and resources for families impacted by autism. His family foundation, he explained, was interested in making a donation to support the development of resources, adaptable over time, to be disseminated to help families affected by autism.

Shortly after his initial message, Dr. Schiff spoke with OAR executive director, Mike Maloney, who described OAR’s ongoing program initiatives as well as several new resource developments that were already underway or planned for 2018. Three months later, just before Christmas, OAR received a letter from The Schiff Foundation awarding the generous gift of $100,000 and directing that it “go toward current and future efforts or projects to disseminate useful information to families, teachers, prospective employers/employment, and similar projects.”   

“The timing and focus of the gift could not have been more opportune,” says Maloney. “We were just getting ready to reprint materials in preparation for the demand we anticipate during National Autism Awareness Month in April, and we were actively looking for funds to pay for major updates to our resources for military families.”

OAR is honored to be the recipient of The Schiff Foundation’s generosity and grateful for its support of the autism community. Thanks to this donation, OAR is printing 25,000 copies of its highly popular “What’s Up With Nick?” peer education resource, which has helped 100,000 students learn about their peers with autism since 2014. OAR is also moving ahead with its plans to upgrade the Operation Autism website and revise “Life Journey Through Autism: A Guide for Military Families” this year. Even with those expenditures, additional funds remain to support new projects later this year and into 2019.