During the month where we celebrate Autism Awareness, we are pleased to highlight folks in our area who give their time, energy and resources to those in need. There are many organizations across the country and the world dedicated to providing acceptance and understanding of autism and one of those organizations is right here in our community. AALIVE (Adults with Autism Living with Independence, Value and Esteem) was founded in 2007 and has brought smiles through acceptance ever since.
AALIVE was started by Delaware County resident Collen Foti and for the past 16 years, Colleen and her team at AALIVE have been bringing socialization and awareness opportunities to adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. Through social activities like dinners and outings, they’ve been able to integrate these adults with special needs into their communities. “What started as an idea from my father before he passed away has created more acceptance than imaginable,” said Colleen proudly.
Colleen grew up in Bucks County and was one of seven kids. After meeting her husband Frank, they settled in Springfield, Delaware County and raised their two sons Tom and Brian there.
When Brian was just 18 months old, Colleen said that she and her husband noticed that Brian was not developing like their older son Tom was and were specifically concerned about his lack of speech. When the autism diagnosis came around age two, Colleen gave her son all the support she could to give him the best chance at an independent life. While Brian was growing up, Colleen realized what other parents of typical children may not understand. Raising children with autism and other disabilities can be very isolating. Although Brian and his parents had resources through his school, Devereux Cares, as well as through physicians, what was most helpful was connecting with other parents.
It was that need to connect with other families and some inspiration from her father that led Colleen to found the AALIVE organization. In 2006 Colleen’s father was terminally ill and knew he did not have much time left. “He spoke with me about his wish for doing something impactful that could help Brian, who was then a teenager,” Colleen explained. “Thanks to the generosity of so many people who made donations after my dad passed, his wish came true.”
Since Colleen officially started the organization in 2007, AALIVE has been able to work with more than 5,000 families to enhance and improve the lives of their loved ones with disabilities. From seminars to promote awareness to social outings, the families have benefited from experiences that otherwise may not have been available. Outings like an annual trip to Disney on Ice and to Villanova basketball games have been among the favorites. They also hold annual dances and take trips to Linvilla Orchards.
What has been most rewarding to Colleen and her team at AALIVE is watching friendships form. “What AALIVE does is create social opportunities for families with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including people with autism,” she said. “People with disabilities are often lonely. Through these social opportunities we’ve not only been able to increase their self-confidence, but we’ve helped them form meaningful friendships.”
Running the AALIVE foundation has also allowed Colleen to partner with other organizations that have special meaning to her and her family. In 2017, her son Tom helped develop a program for AALIVE called Inside Voice. The program helps teach non-speaking and limited speaking people with autism ages 16 and up how to communicate by letter board. “It’s the same technique that helped his brother,” said Colleen. She also said that while Tom originally planned for a career in sports broadcasting, seeing his brother Brian, who is autistic and non-speaking, use a spelling board to communicate, led him to change course.
Today, Tom directs the Inside Voice program, along with his longtime friend Emily Pinto Sloan, who serves as co-director. Currently, Emily and Tom have around 35 students in individ- ual and group sessions. The program has already proven to show some remarkable, life-changing results for those who are involved.
Colleen and her family’s passion for helping adults with disabilities did not stop with AALIVE and Inside Voice. In 2015, the Foti family worked alongside Peaceful Living to open Creative Gifts, a community-based day program located in Edgmont for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism. Colleen explained that when her son Brian aged out of the school system, there were limited opportunities for him to engage with others or to find meaningful work. At Creative Gifts, individuals can enjoy a mixture of activities in the community that foster belonging and skill-building as well as creative activities at the center. Students have enjoyed activities such as cooking, rock climbing at Gravity Vault in Villanova and dancing with Friend & Neighbor’s own Sheila Turner at From the Top Dance Studio. “Each person’s programming is based on their individual gifts and interests,” Colleen explained. “It’s a much-needed program that can serve dozens of people with disabilities in the Delaware County area.
Thank you, Colleen, for sharing your story and for serving the special needs community. Because of your programs, more individuals have been able to live their lives with fulfillment and esteem. For more information about AALIVE and Inside Voice, visit www.Aalive.org and their Facebook page. To learn more about Creative Gifts, go to their website at PeacefulLiving.org.