As 2025 comes to a close, we are filled with gratitude for what God has done this year! Despite a short and unexpected hiatus, we were able to achieve meaningful growth, deeper community partnerships, and expanded support for autistic individuals and their families. None of this would be possible without the generosity, prayers, and encouragement of people like you!
Five Years of Service and Impact
In August, we celebrated five years of service—five years of walking alongside autistic individuals and families, equipping faith communities, and meeting practical needs with compassion and dignity. What began as a small step of obedience has grown into a network of churches, volunteers, and supporters committed to making faith spaces welcoming and accessible for all.
♿ Accessible Faith Initiative
Through our Accessible Faith Initiative, we worked with churches and ministries during Autism Acceptance Month and throughout the year to promote inclusion and accessibility. This included education, resources, and practical guidance to help faith communities better serve autistic individuals—creating environments where everyone can worship, belong, and thrive. Highlighted activities included:
- Updating our Activity Toolkit, a FREE resource for helping places of worship become more autism friendly.
- Hosting a webinar with James & Tasandra Washington about Special Needs Parenting.
- Hosting a webinar with Rev. Sylvia Taylor on how to effectively start and lead a Special Needs Ministry.
🥫 Manna from Heaven Initiative
Our Manna from Heaven Initiative addressed food insecurity among autistic individuals and their families. In 2025, this program helped provide grocery assistance to households facing financial strain. For many families, this meant one less worry and a reminder that they are not alone.
This year, we provided food for 56 families! A special thank you goes out to Publix for donating towards this initiative.
🎁 Cheerful Giving Initiative
Through our 2025 Cheerful Giving Initiative, we were able to provide sensory toys, tools, and support to autistic persons in our community. Thanks to our donors and The Hedera Foundation Incorporated, 70 autistic persons around the nation received essential items and sensory-friendly resources that brought encouragement and joy during the holiday season. Cheerful Giving continues to reflect our heart to meet immediate needs while reminding families they are seen and valued.
Here are a few photos sent in to us from this year’s participants.
A Year-End Opportunity to Make a Difference
Today is the last day of the year to make a 2025 tax-deductible donation. A year-end gift to the Autism Faith Network helps us:
- Equip more places of worship to become autism-friendly
- Expand our Manna from Heaven and Cheerful Giving Initiatives
- Serve more families with dignity and compassion in 2026
Your generosity fuels hope and opens doors for inclusion.
- 👉 Give today: https://autismfaithnetwork.com/donate/
You can also donate via PayPal.
- 👉 Donate via PayPal: PayPal Giving Fund.
You can also mail a check. As long as it is postmarked by December 31, 2025, it will count as 2025 giving!
- 👉 Mail a check to: Autism Faith Network, Inc., PO Box 73122, Newnan, GA 30271
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we look toward 2026, we are hopeful and expectant. We envision more awareness and accessible spaces for people with autism. We desire to build stronger community partnerships and expand programs that continue to meet both spiritual and practical needs. With your continued support, we believe the best is yet to come!
Thank you for being part of the Autism Faith Network family—and for helping us build communities where EVERYONE belongs.
With gratitude and hope,
Autism Faith Network Board of Directors