Hope 4 Autism

10/19/2026

💙 MEET THE BOARD: TAMMY BENOIST

Sometimes finding your next purpose starts simply by walking through the right door.

After retiring in 2020 following 28 years as a Special Education teacher, Tammy Benoist was looking for a new purpose. She wandered into Dress 2 Impress, began reading about everything Hope 4 Autism was doing, and asked one simple question:

“Do you need volunteers?”

More than five years later, Tammy serves as our Program Advocate Leader, helping ensure that decisions remain grounded in the real experiences and needs of our program participants.

Tammy is especially involved with our Training Program and PEERS. For her, one of the greatest rewards is watching participants grow from the beginning of a program through graduation—gaining skills, confidence and real-world work experience along the way.

She also wishes more people could see what happens behind the scenes at Hope 4 Autism and just how much the organization does to help people throughout our community.

And when Tammy isn't advocating for our participants? You might find her cooking up a new recipe or planning another adventure. She has visited 46 of the 50 states! ✈️

We are incredibly grateful that Tammy walked through our doors all those years ago—and decided to stay. 💙

10/16/2026

🏆 Help us thank Belgrade State Bank, the Presenting Sponsor of our first-ever Battle of the Businesses! They’ve also entered a team to compete for the inaugural Hope Cup and a full year of bragging rights!

Their generosity supports Hope 4 Autism’s vocational training and social opportunities, helping teens and adults with autism build confidence, independence, and connections.

Thank you, Belgrade State Bank, for investing in a brighter tomorrow!

Join us January 21, 2027, for an evening of friendly competition, chili, and community—all for a great cause!

🎟️ Register a team, become a sponsor, or grab spectator tickets:
https://givebutter.com/battle-of-the-businesses

10/15/2026

Some days bring big milestones. Others bring tiny victories that might go unnoticed by everyone else. 💙

A new skill.
A brave attempt.
A moment of independence.
A connection that wasn’t there before.

Every step forward deserves to be celebrated—no matter how big or small.

10/14/2026

🏆 Help us thank Belgrade State Bank, the Presenting Sponsor of our first-ever Battle of the Businesses!

Their generosity supports Hope 4 Autism’s vocational training and social opportunities, helping teens and adults with autism build confidence, independence, and connections.

Thank you, Belgrade State Bank, for investing in a brighter tomorrow!

Join us January 21, 2027, for an evening of friendly competition, chili, and community—all for a great cause!

🎟️ Register a team, become a sponsor, or grab spectator tickets:
https://givebutter.com/battle-of-the-businesses

10/12/2026

💙 MEET THE BOARD | Luke Roussin | Board President

For Luke Roussin, serving Hope 4 Autism is personal.

As the father of a daughter on the autism spectrum, Luke understands how difficult it can be for families—especially those living in rural communities—to find the resources and support they need.

That is one of the reasons he values Hope 4 Autism.

“It's often difficult to find services in rural areas, and Hope 4 Autism fills in the gap.”

Luke has served on our board for two years and currently serves as Board President. One program especially close to his heart is PEERS, where teens and young adults learn practical social skills that can help them build relationships and navigate everyday interactions.

One of Luke's favorite Hope 4 Autism experiences was participating in mock interviews with our Visions of Hope students. He describes watching them push beyond their comfort zones and challenge themselves toward greater independence as “thrilling.”

And when we asked what he hopes to see in Hope 4 Autism's future, his answer was simple:

"Growth."
"Growth that puts Hope 4 Autism in a stronger position—financially and functionally—to recognize needs in our community and take action."

🚙 A little about Luke: His favorite vehicle is a 1980s Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Yes, specifically the one with the woodgrain on the side! He also blogs about his experiences as a special needs dad.

We're grateful to have Luke's perspective as a parent, his leadership as our Board President, and his commitment to helping Hope 4 Autism continue growing to meet the needs of individuals and families in our community.

10/08/2026

A diagnosis may be part of someone’s story, but it is never the whole story. 💙

Look beyond the label and you’ll find strengths, talents, interests, dreams, humor, determination—and so much potential.

See the person. See the possibilities.

10/06/2026

At Hope 4 Autism, we are thrilled to kick off a new program year filled with opportunities for teens and adults with autism. From workplace experiences to our upcoming Battle of the Businesses event in January 2027, your support makes a difference! Join us in fostering confidence and skills for individuals with autism through our PEERS program and Dress 2 Impress initiative. Together, we can create positive change in our community!

https://conta.cc/4egK5cu

Email from Hope 4 Autism A new internship year, community connections, and a friendly business battle ahead!   AUTISM, Think Differently News You Can Use October 2026   Hello Friends,  Fall brings

10/05/2026

💙 MEET THE BOARD | Jessica Grunewald
Co-Founder • Board Secretary • Dress 2 Impress Retail Manager

For Jessica Grunewald, Hope 4 Autism has always been deeply personal.

As the mother of two sons with autism, Jessica knows firsthand the questions and uncertainty families can face as their children prepare to leave the structure of high school and enter adulthood. That experience helped inspire a mission focused not on limitations, but on possibility, purpose, and belonging.

“What means the most to me is seeing individuals who may have spent their lives being told what they can’t do discover what they can do.”

Since the beginning, Jessica has watched students step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, form friendships, and discover abilities they may not have realized they had.

And her hope for the future?

To see even stronger partnerships with local employers and a community where individuals with autism aren't left wondering, *“Where do I fit?”—but where businesses and organizations are asking, “How can we make a place for you?”

💙 A little about Jessica: When she isn't working with Hope 4 Autism or Dress 2 Impress, she loves spending time with her family, watching movies, trying new recipes, reading, writing, studying the Bible, decorating, planning events—and, of course, finding a great bargain!

We are so grateful for Jessica's heart, vision, and commitment to helping individuals with autism build lives filled with purpose, confidence, and HOPE.

10/04/2026

The world offers temporary peace.

Jesus offers lasting peace.

A peace that steadies your heart in uncertainty.
A peace that remains when circumstances don't.
A peace that reminds you He is always with you.

May His peace guard your heart today.

10/01/2026

Hope grows when someone believes in you. 💙

It grows through encouragement, new opportunities, small victories, and the courage to keep trying.

At Hope 4 Autism, we’ve seen what can happen when individuals are given the support and opportunity to discover what they’re capable of.

Plant a little hope, and you never know what might grow. 🌱