Special Needs Community
At the end of January 2002, AREA Properties was nearing completion of its largest and most significant project—a 75,000 square foot office build-to-suit. Around this time, our third child, Jack Allnutt, was born. Despite our experience with two children, we encountered unexpected challenges with Jack. In 2004, he was officially diagnosed with autism. Like many parents in similar situations, we struggled, adapted, and made significant life changes. Ensuring a fulfilling life for Jack has since become our most important project.
Jack’s 21st birthday marked the beginning of our greatest challenge yet: navigating adulthood with special needs. This is a challenge faced by many families, yet there is no ideal solution...
At the age of 21, many services and activities for individuals with special needs are no longer available, posing a significant challenge to providing fulfilling activities beyond the couch and video screen. Adults with special needs often face a lifetime with no clear path to subsistence or fulfillment and have few appealing options.
In 2021, a dedicated group of parents of young adults with special needs formed a charitable 501(c)(3) organization to address this issue. Our mission is to create a supportive community and implement enriching social opportunities for adults with special needs. Our goal is to cultivate an environment where they feel a sense of belonging, rather than struggling to fit into activities and venues designed for the neurotypical population.
Our long-term vision is to establish a brick-and-mortar "Enrichment Center," inspired by the successful facility launched in 2023 by Journey21 in Wisconsin. At present, The Neighborhood of Maryland is dedicated to constructing a robust virtual social infrastructure and delivering essential resources to our community members. We invite you to explore our website and consider joining us in advancing our mission.
Far From The Tree
Jack's early struggles were prominently featured in a segment of the 2017 documentary film "Far From The Tree," inspired by Andrew Solomon's acclaimed New York Times best-selling book that delves into the experiences of families facing unexpected challenges with their children. This eye-opening movie is readily available on various streaming services.
“Everyone has kids with flaws and problems. But nobody goes around saying they would like to turn their kids in for a better model. You love your children. It really isn’t up to you. They just come along and change you.” -- Andrew Solomon