PERRY VILLAGE, Ohio — A Perry Village nonprofit that serves children with autism is asking the community for help to close a $10,000 shortfall by Oct. 10, saying the funds are needed to keep programs running through the end of the year.
In a Sept. 29 Facebook post, executive director Erin Bolyard shared a letter with supporters explaining that the organization typically experiences a tight financial stretch in the fall as it transitions from summer programming to the school year.
But this year, she said, “things are more than just tight—we are facing a significant shortfall and need your help to get through the weeks ahead.”
Footprints Center for Autism, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2018 by Bolyard, Nicole Best and Claire Caldarea. The founders, all Northeast Ohio natives with experience in autism services and nonprofit or business management, strategically located the center in Lake County to reach communities with limited resources for children with autism and their families.
The center opened in September 2018 with four students and grew to 10 students by the end of its first school year. By the end of the 2019-2020 school year, enrollment had climbed to 23 students.
Footprints provides individualized programming for each child through a collaborative approach involving teachers, therapists and families, and it is both an Ohio Department of Education Autism Scholarship Provider and a Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Provider.
Bolyard said the $10,000 is needed to cover essential operating expenses, including keeping the lights on, paying staff and maintaining programs.
“Footprints is more than just a program—it is a safe place where children are understood, where families find hope, and where growth is possible,” Bolyard wrote. “Your support today will allow us to stay strong through this season and ensure stability for the families who count on us every single day.”