Break Barriers for Youth with Autism

Break Barriers for Youth with Autism

Camp Yes And

Support Deleted

$2,110

Raised (USD)

Days Left: 0
Goal: $3,000

From Deleted User

Help break down the barriers to career and college success for youth with autism! Your gift will support IU’s ongoing commitment to creating more diverse and inclusive communities in Indiana and beyond.

Support this campaign

Subscribe to follow campaign updates!

More Info

Mihaela lived her first two years of life in a Romanian orphanage, followed by two years in a foster home. At the age of four, she was adopted by an Indiana couple who said they knew something was different about her. Soon, they learned Mihaela had developed a form of autism. 

The sensory and communication differences associated with autism – on top of a language barrier and a sometimes-inflexible education system – made school a struggle for Mihaela. As a teen, she attended our free Camp Yes And program for two summers and went on to become one of our first Counselors in Training, working with our staff to support youth with autism at camp. 

After graduating from high school, Mihaela went into training to become a certified nursing assistant, and she recently passed the CNA exam. She credits Camp Yes And as a significant factor in her success, and we’re pretty proud of that. 

Since 2015, Camp Yes And has provided communication and social skills instruction to teens on the autism spectrum. Research tells us these skills are key to helping the more than 50% of youth with autism who don’t participate in post-secondary education and careers. 

We scale our impact by making our theater programs like Camp Yes And a professional learning opportunity for teachers. Studies show that many teachers don’t feel confident in their ability to teach students with autism. We aim to change that reality, and we’re so encouraged when teachers say things like, “Several times this week, I found myself wishing I was more like them.” That’s the power of Camp and IU’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. Your gift will help us to continue breaking down barriers for people like Mihaela and her teachers. Learn more at yesand.indiana.edu.

Campaign Wall

Join the Conversation

Sign in with your Facebook account or

Don’t see the IU cause you want to support? Head directly to My IU to make your gift now. Thank you!

The Indiana University Foundation solicits tax-deductible private contributions for the benefit of Indiana University and is registered to solicit charitable contributions in all states requiring registration. For our full disclosure statement, see http://go.iu.edu/89n.

Gifts will be administered by the Indiana University Foundation, which represents Indiana University, including the IU School of Medicine. This is not a gift to Indiana University Health, and the Indiana University Health Foundation will not play a role in administering these accounts.