Nonprofit Program for Young Adults with Autism Launches Capital Campaign

ORCAS ISLAND, WASHINGTON — The Concerto Project has announced the launch of a $10 million capital campaign to fund the purchase of Mount Baker Farm and Scenic Railroad on Orcas Island and the construction of five homes for professional staff and participants.

Entrance to the estate – Contributed photo

The Concerto Project was begun in 2013 to create a much-needed living and learning residential transition program in the Pacific Northwest. Its mission is to provide young adults on the autism spectrum with the vocational, social, and practical skills necessary for engaged and sustainable living through a supportive, focused and individualized two-year program.

The Pacific Northwest has few opportunities that meet the increasing needs of young adults on the autism spectrum to develop the skills and confidence to transition to adulthood, while sharing meaningful lives in a home-like environment. In addition to self-advocacy, Concerto’s programs will teach young residents to modify their environments to suit their needs; to seek friendships that will support them and where they can be equals; to develop the daily living skills they need to be healthy and settled; and to find gainful work that will sustain them.

“The Concerto Project presents a valuable opportunity that helps to meet the increasing needs of young adults on the autism spectrum. It will address a huge gap by providing vital services that develop the skills of this underserved population. I am impressed by its well-rounded and unique approach, and am convinced that it will provide the tools needed to help build strong families and a stronger community.”   Kristine Lytton, House Majority Floor Leader, Washington State Legislature

Mount Baker Farm is located in the “modern rural” San Juan Islands, which are served by car ferries and regional airlines. The 80-acre property was originally a dairy farm. In the 1980s, Burton A. Burton and his wife, Rosie, moved to Orcas Island, where they transformed the Farm into a unique wonderland that includes a full-gauge railroad that runs the perimeter of the property, complete with train stations.

The site already includes a community kitchen and dining room, classroom space, meeting rooms, woodworking and mechanical shops, a huge barn, a gymnasium, a silo conference room, stables and paddocks, caretakers’ quarters, parent guest accommodations, and much more. By utilizing the existing facilities at the Farm, The Concerto Project has reduced its original budget by $2 million.

The Concerto Project will provide “a program for mid- to higher-functioning 18-25 year-olds that addresses the gap between high school graduation and sustainable adult living,” according to the Project’s Executive Director, Marian O’Brien, parent of a 22-year-old daughter on the spectrum. “The program is being crafted to recognize and respect the individual nature of each participant, whose personal goals will serve as benchmarks as they develop their own guidebook for success.”

“I’m excited about The Concerto Project because your mission is focused on developing resiliency and tools for young adults with ASD—a community that is growing and needs focused attention.”  Raphael Bernier, PhD, Seattle Children’s Autism Center & University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability

Concerto is recruiting staff in occupational therapy, speech and language, medicine, nutrition, psychology, social skills development, vocational supports, special education, therapeutic arts and music, computer applications, graphic arts and intellectual property development. “The model we are creating,” says O’Brien, “is not so much an environment in which service is given, as one in which life is fully lived.”

Executive Director O’Brien and her husband, Keith Whitaker, are hopeful that Mount Baker Farm is within reach of The Concerto Project. Whitaker says: “Families will be forever changed for the better by the fact that their vulnerable adult child will have a safe and supportive place to transition—an educational, vocational and therapeutic environment that is interesting and productive and that is constantly evolving as each individual becomes a part of the Concerto community.”

Orcas Islanders are excited about the Project and that the legacy property—and its Mount Baker Scenic Railroad—will be preserved in perpetuity. Many have already volunteered to help in the program.

“As a parent of a young adult on the spectrum, I know the challenges for parents, children, schools, peers and employers. This well-planned program has financial stability, professional integrity and immense personal value; it will bring much to both Orcas Island and the nation.”   Joe Symons, software engineer and professor

 Informational sessions are being planned in the Seattle area. Concerto aims to welcome its inaugural group of young adults to the program in September of 2016. Executive Director Marian O’Brien can be reached at marian [@] concertoproject [.] org.

Website:     http://www.concertoproject.org

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-ConcertoProject/275113819317670

The Concerto Project is a Washington 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity with 509(a)(2) status.

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.