If you are receiving these emails, you are my peeps. You are people who continue to subscribe, donate, participate, and support the Autism Society of Greater Akron.

So I wanted to tell you first.

After weeks and months of reflection and discussions with my family, I've decided that, at the end of 2024, I am going to step down from being ASGA's Executive Director. It is an understatement to say that I thought long and hard about this decision. It was just plain hard. I have been the Executive Director since 2011, when I was hired as the first staff person to lead what was an all-volunteer parent organization.

I left my career for a mission I loved, but an organization I had to grow from the ground up.

I often think to myself…what was I thinking?

Of course, I know the answer. I was thinking about my son and all of you. Our community. We needed consistent support, services, and places to go. We needed a strong ASGA and, we needed each other.

We needed what we are today.

ASGA's Board of Directors has created a task force to oversee the transition and hiring of a new Executive Director who will pick up the passion of our mission and carry on with, and for, our community along with an amazing staff that I am proud to call my colleagues. While I am proud of what ASGA is today and of how far we have come, we know there is so much left to do to ensure there are local supports and services for individuals across the Autism spectrum and throughout their lifespan.

I have been a part of the Autism Society network since 2004, shortly after my son was diagnosed. I will always be an advocate, and always be part of the voices of Autism, but I will be doing it from another place.

If you believe in all we have done and will be doing, support ASGA today, and support ASGA going forward.

In the words of one of the founders of the Autism Society of America, Ruth Sullivan, never give up and never give in!

I won't be.

Here's to being together one more year, my friends!

Happy New Year and Blessings to All,

Laurie

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