An organization in Saskatchewan which helped provide support for families with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder will be closing its doors in April of next year. The Casey Foundation for Autism Support will be ending its operations in the spring due to an inability to remain sustainable.

Katie Emde is a local advocate for families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She said the news was a surprise.

“The Casey Foundation, they were helping families on kind of a financial standpoint by offering families $500 per year in reimbursement,” Emde explained. Over the past 15 years, the foundation has raised and distributed over $900,000 to thousands of Saskatchewan families.

The charity was finding it increasingly difficult to assist those who were seeking assistance, as the demand for their services had increased by more than 100 percent over the past three years. As a result, the difficult decision was made to dissolve as of April 30th, 2019.

The Casey Foundation will continue to work to help those who have already submitted applications for the 2018 year. Applications for the 2018 year must be received by March 31, 2019 and will be processed depending on available funding.

Emde is currently raising funds for five families in the southeast that are affected by ASD through her A Journey for Avery Facebook page. The funds will go towards Christmas presents for the families, who must endure many extra costs while taking care of a child with ASD.