Bowling Green, Ky. - Four years ago John and Linda Kelly of Bowling Green made a gift of $150,000 to provide initial, three-year funding for the Kelly Autism Program (KAP) at Western Kentucky University.  The couple, whose daughter has autism, had a vision for a program that would provide instruction, intervention and support opportunities to children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders as well as their families.  The Kellys continued this support in 2004, when they made an additional gift of $100,000 to continue funding for the program for two more years.

Now the Kellys have made a new commitment of $250,000 to create a permanent endowment in support of the KAP, which will provide lasting support for the program for years to come. 
According to Tom Hiles, WKU’s vice president for Institutional Advancement, the KAP, which is a part of the new Clinical Education Complex at WKU, has a goal to help young people with autism effectively transition to a purposeful, fulfilling life after their public school years are over. 

“Individualized programs for these young people strive to increase interactive social skills, community participation, opportunities for recreation and leisure activity, therapeutic vocational skills, and access to meaningful interpersonal relationships, all for the purpose of enhancing their overall quality of life beyond the final years of public school,” Hiles said.

“The completion for the CEC building provides KAP with the physical resources to operate and expand its services,” John Kelly said.  “The ability for KAP to meet and exceed its goals in the community will be a function of our success in providing stable long-term funding for the program through the development of an endowment. Our family is honored to partner with WKU in this endeavor.  It is a program that is very near and dear to our hearts.”

Marty Boman, director of the Kelly Autism Program, said the endowment commitment from the Kellys will guarantee that the program will continue to have an impact on individuals diagnosed with autism for many years to come, and it will allow for further expansion in Kentucky and beyond.

“The vision of John and Linda has provided the KAP participants and their families hope for the future and dreams of independence,” she said.  “Goals that were never viewed as possible have become reality here in Bowling Green and across the nation.”

Jodi Fleming, general manager of Mariah’s Restaurant, has worked with two young people who are a part of the Kelly Autism Program.  The first young man has been working at Mariah’s and at Buckhead Café for four years. 
“We were contacted by the Kelly Autism Program to see if we had a job available,” she said.  “The young man had some experience, was able to adapt well to the restaurant environment, and has served as a busser and a host.  Though he has a wonderful family, we are his family too. His work family is very important to him, and he takes pride in his job.”

Rick Kelley, owner of Mariah’s and Buckhead Café, said the young man’s work received a favorable mention during a newspaper review of the Buckhead Café. “He is a pleasure to have as an employee and we’re grateful for him and the KAP,” Kelley said.

Fleming said KAP workers have been available to provide guidance and support to her.  “I know many people are very thankful for the Kelly Autism Program and for the support the Kellys have provided for it,” she said.
Hiles said WKU is also extremely grateful for the Kellys’ continued support.  “They had a dream to continue their daughter’s education after high school,” he said.  “As that dream was realized, they are helping many other young people with autism.  The endowment will ensure this program will always be there to help future generations of students.”

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For more information, contact Tom Hiles, (270) 745-6208

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