As the holiday season draws near, we are reminded of the incredible power of gratitude. The season of giving brings with it an opportunity to reflect on the impact we can make together, and to renew our shared commitment to helping people in need.
For nearly five decades, The Edinburg Center has served thousands of children and adults living with mental health challenges, intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and brain disorders. Our mission is to provide innovative services that promote personal growth and independence, foster hope, and enhance the quality of life for all those in our care. This year, that mission came to life in a powerful new way with the opening of A Street, a Community-Based Day Service for young adults with autism that is the first program of its kind in Massachusetts.
Before A Street opened, there were few programs designed to meet the unique needs of young adults with autism after they aged out of school-based services at 22. Today, A Street is a vibrant, supportive environment where individuals with autism are thriving, learning new skills, and building meaningful connections within their communities. The goal of the program is for every young adult who attends to volunteer, work, or pursue a fulfilling occupation.
For Kristina, A Street has been truly life-changing. Kristina waited three years for the program to open. Since joining, she has made incredible progress. She’s built relationships with the staff and her peers, participates in community outings, follows a daily schedule, and has become more verbal and socially engaged.
“Up to age 22, services for individuals with autism are readily available, but after that, you enter a vacuum where there is no help,” shared Kristina’s father. “The Edinburg Center has filled those cracks. This program has been truly transformative for Kristina. I’ve seen a remarkable difference in her mental and physical well-being—she’s stimulated, engaged, and happy. The staff are amazing, and the program is a step above normal care. Kristina is an entirely new young lady, and I couldn’t be more proud or more grateful. This program must continue to exist for people like her.”
Kristina’s story is just one of many, and it’s your support that makes stories like hers possible. Your generosity helps fund programs and services that truly change lives. When you give to The Edinburg Center, you’re doing far more than contributing funds, you’re creating healthier, more vibrant futures.
There are many worthy causes seeking your support this season. We hope you will choose to make a meaningful gift to The Edinburg Center this year. With your help, we can extend our reach even further and continue transforming lives—one person, one family, one community at a time.
On behalf of all those we serve, and with heartfelt gratitude, thank you for being part of our Edinburg family and for helping us bring hope and opportunity to those who need it most.