Home - Foundation for Empowering Citizens with Autism

The VisionHelping individuals on the autism spectrum have a brighter tomorrow.

Developing and supporting sustainable and accountable educational, vocational, employment, community outreach and integration, and other related programs and services for individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders.

The Foundation for Empowering Citizens with Autism (FECA) was established 30 years ago with the mission to open a school for children with autism. That school, the Devereux Millwood Learning Center, is now in its 21st year providing 48 children and young adults ages 5 through 21 with an exemplary education.

The school, now known as Devereux Cares, moved in 2016 to a new, expanded location in Mt. Kisco. As students have grown and graduated into adulthood, FECA has responded with support for vocational and employment opportunities, including a continuing partnership with the Devereux Adult Program and critical funding for the Extraordinary Ventures New York initiatives.

In recognition of our expanded mission and to further enhance the lives and wellbeing of individuals on the spectrum, FECA has retained its acronym while becoming the Foundation for Empowering Citizens with Autism. We extend our deepest appreciation to our many long- standing loyal supporters who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us as we continue to support the individuals we endeavor to serve.

FECA’S 30 YEAR MISSION CARRIES ON FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA

Three decades ago this past summer a mighty band of eight families joined together with the singular mission to create a state-of-the-art school for children diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and autism. Under the newly incorporated Foundation for Educating Children with Autism (FECA) the school would be a state of the art one to one teacher to student, publicly funded private school employing the then radically new model based on applied behavior analysis. Two years later, a partnership with the Devereux Foundation made possible the opening of the Devereux Millwood Learning Center with two entering class of 12 children. Today under the renamed Devereux Cares the school continues to educate 48 children, ages 5 through 21 from the metropolitan New York area.

As students grew and began graduating from the school, we expanded our mission and renamed FECA as the Foundation for Empowering Citizens with Autism to address the enormous challenges of the adult world. A day habilitation program was established to serve graduating students, scholarships were provided to support and address the growing need for trained professionals in the field, vans were purchased to enable community integration and substantial support was given to address the need for employment opportunities.

Our mission to serve when and as we can includes and now reaches beyond our local communities. We are delighted to support needed services from Hawaii all the way to Israel among many that embrace more local programs and individuals.

We celebrate these programs as we reach out to thank our long-time, dedicated supporters and friends who have walked shoulder to shoulder with us over three decades continuing to make all of this possible! More to come!!

Shames Jewish Community Center/Extended Family/Devereux Adult Program (Tarrytown, NY)

This newly launched program offered FECA the opportunity to further embrace our mission of encouraging and supporting collaborations between and across the organizational landscape. The Shames JCC/Tarrytown launched a weekly hiking program for adults on the IDD spectrum and soon after invited participants in the Devereux Day Habilitation (DAP) program to join. Next the opportunity to invite the extraordinary program, The Extended Family (TEF) presented itself and the three organizations began their collaboration which looks to further expand in the future.

TEF is an extraordinary program initially established by two dynamic women, Laurie Cameron and Susan Disbrow to create art programs for participants in the IDD community. The program quickly and significantly expanded to provide the opportunity for now hundreds of participants to embrace their communities with creative contributions to food pantries and throughout the Covid pandemic, gifts to essential workers.

After an morning hike, participants adjourn to the expansive JCC facility for lunch and work on the EF projects, largely created for local food pantry donations which will then be delivered by the DAP participants.

Shutaf Inclusion program (Israel)

FECA was introduced to this wonderful program in Israel and readily agreed to support their mission. The Shutaf Inclusion programs in Jerusalem offers year-round inclusive informal education experiences for children, teens and young adults all all abilities. .Shutaf is a driving force in inclusion-innovation, with year round information education programs for nearly 250 participants, ages 6-30 of diverse needs and backgrounds committed to providing quality services for all participants of all abilities, regardless of labels, financial limitations and cultural and religious differences. Clearly they live up to their Hebrew name which means partnership and companionship.

Shames Jewish Community Center Vocational Program (Tarrytown, NY)

The Shames JCC on the Hudson is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, welcoming community that enhances the lives of its members through social, recreational, educational, social action, wellness, cultural and supportive programs and resources. To that end the JCC has inaugurated a program to address the shortage of job opportunities and vocational support for individuals with disabilities. The first of a three pronged initiative, training in childcare, was launched in the fall with support from FECA. Custodial and food services training programs are to follow. FECA provided funding for job coaches who through their training of participants will enhance their acquisition of credentials that will make possible further training internships and inclusion on resumes and job applications to reassure employers that candidates have mastery of relevant skills.

The Nicholas Center (Pleasantville, NY)

The Nicholas Center was created on Long Island thirteen years ago by two parents of children with autism. Their mission was to create and provide their soon to be graduating young adults with community programs to foster work training, employment support and provide further learning and social development The program has since expanded to a second site in Pleasantville in Westchester County. Across both locations, TNC supports over 60 young men and women in paid jobs or internships across nineteen different business enterprises. FECA provided support for the expansion of TNC's "Pathway to Employment" program at the new site to further their assessments, coursework and internships to help participants further discover what types of employment or volunteer opportunities are best suited to them. Prepared meal kits are assembled and delivered to local food pantries.

Select Connects (Pleasantville, NY)

The Select Human Services program in Pleasantville opened a new program called Select Connects last year with the mission to "challenge ourselves to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities." Dedicated staff bring participants out into their communities in a variety of programs both recreational and educational. In order to make this possible, FECA purchased one van and successfully worked with the national Toyota company to access their donation of a second van.

FECA Awards Grant for Eagle Scout Service: Henry Drukenbrod Begins His College Career

FECA proudly continues our support for Henry, who is attending his first year of college!

"I didn't realize how lucky I am to have lifelong friends and a great family. I guess I expected to connect with people to connect with people on a similarly deep level right away. But I get along well with my roommate and the last month was better because I joined two clubs. So I think things will improve in the second semester."

FECA wishes Henry all good things for his next college adventures!"

Devereux Adult Program Music Class

FECA has been a long time supporter of a variety of entertaining and educational classes for Devereux Adult Program participants. This year music was a popular choice.

The Nicholas Center and The Extended Family

A second Nicholas Center FECA grant will provide funding for a start-up partnership that promises to expand vocational training and community service opportunities for young adults with autism. The partnership focuses on two key initiatives: meal kit preparation and Arts with a Purpose both designed to provide valuable skills to participants and address critical community needs.

Lahaina (Maui, HI)

The deadliest wildfire in the US in over a century resulted in the total destruction of the beautiful town of Lahaina on Maui in Hawaii. In addition to the horrific loss of over 100 residents over 2,000 homes were destroyed as well as most schools and businesses. Maui resident, Susan Varsames, a longtime FECA advisory board member and dedicated professional serving the autism community has served as our partner in our mission to help the Lahaina autism community by providing Ipads and supporting computer equipment directly to one of the schools serving the autism community.