CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Family Initiative, a non-profit in Cape Coral, started when Anjali Van Drie and David Brown noticed an emerging population in our Southwest Florida community.

But, that population wasn’t getting the support it needed.

Brown is the co-founder and president of Family Initiative.

“That was really the catalyst for why we started Family Initiative, I think really to provide support services for families that have children diagnosed with autism,” Brown said.

“That time 8 years ago, the prevalence of autism was 1 in 101,” Van Drie added.

This year the CDC released data saying it’s 1 in 36. Autism impacts many families in Southwest Florida, but in order for our kids and families to be successful — that’s where Family Initiative comes in.

“We’re working hard every day to just meet them where they are and to continue to scale and build up to what they need,” Brown said. 

Eight years ago the non-profit started with one child and one program.

Fast forward to now, Van Drie said, “onboarding new employees to meet the demand added a bunch of community-based programs, expanded our clinical services, in every capacity I think we’ve expanded.”

As the prevalence has increased, more families are coming to Family Initiative for support and since day one its founders have always listened to what families have asked for and tried to create that support.

Part of that is building an educational setting for high schoolers on the spectrum, but also a natural disaster shelter.

“The state legislature has long known the autism community is a population that’s needed more support,” said Brown.

The State of Florida recently funded $5 million for the organization to help more families that have children with autism.

Currently the non-profit is in the process of purchasing land for its own campus, Thrive Academy, and the much-needed shelter.

“Our kids have so much talent and ability that if they just had the right vehicle to provide the education and support they need, they can be successful in the community,” said Brown. “So god forbid if we ever face something like this again, we’re much better equipped to meet that need of a vulnerable population.”

The organization realized through its growth that there’s a need for what they do, in every community in Florida and until it gets there, they won’t stop.

For more information on Family Initiative or its free autism screenings, click here.