Support Rooted in Desire to Improve Lives
ISAND
Before ISAND was established, Autism Speaks Canada and KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation funded a study led by Dr. Wendy Roberts to examine autism services in Ontario. The study revealed significant gaps and identified a desperate need for integrated, coordinated and comprehensive services. Subsequent support from these two organizations, as well as additional donors, founding Board members and referring partners, enabled the creation of ISAND in 2013.
Since then, Autism Speaks Canada and KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation have continued to provide generous and strategic funding for ISAND.
“Their support has been absolutely vital,” says Wendy, ISAND’s Clinical Director. “It has enabled us to create a unique organization, build an outstanding team, and break new ground in the delivery of autism services.”
Jill Farber, Executive Director of Autism Speaks Canada, is not surprised by ISAND’s continued progress. “The approach to integrated services, as well as the organization’s collective passion and vision to realize their mission, has helped propel ISAND’s success since the beginning,” Jill says. “Supporting ISAND has been a natural fit for us. Their vision and mission closely align with our own. We both seek to improve the lives of people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.”
Steven Wise, founder of KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation, adds, “The clinical experts at ISAND recognized an enormous void. I was struck by the goal of caring for the whole person, across the spectrum and along the life span, all under one roof. We were inspired to help bring their vision to reality.”
Autism Speaks Canada, KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation and Steven Wise’s ongoing commitment and support are enabling ISAND to further develop and strengthen its services and programs for families living with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Together, they have provided more than $500,000 in funding to ISAND, as well as support for collaborative services and programs that serve the autism community in which ISAND participates.
“We are deeply grateful for the funding from Autism Speaks Canada, KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation and Steven Wise,” says ISAND’s Executive Director David Gray. “ISAND does not receive funding from government, United Way, or any other ongoing source. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on gifts such as these to support our programs and services for the families we are privileged to serve. We look forward to our continued work together.”
