Turning Pointe foundation celebrates 15 years of serving families dealing with autism

When Kim and Randy Wolf, Naperville parents of 9-year-old Jack, dreamed of a place where their son could learn and thrive, they never imagined that 15 years later that dream would have turned into Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, which today hosts a day school for 50 students from elementary to high school, respite services, and the Foglia Family Adult Services with supported and independent employment programs serving up to 20 adults annually.

But in 2007, based on successful interventions that had made a “life-changing” difference in their son, and helped him to progress from isolation and destructive behaviors to connectedness and an engaged future, the Wolfs recruited a board of directors made up of other families, subject matter experts and community leaders to incorporate Turning Pointe Autism Foundation as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Over the ensuing years, what began as a backyard camp for a handful of youngsters with severe autism whose needs could not be met through the public schools moved into a townhouse campus in South Naperville with programming developed and funded through a $1 million grant from the Canadian National Railroad.

By 2012, in partnership with Walgreens, Dan Wolf Auto Group, and the community, Turning Pointe moved its Therapeutic Day School into the old Naperville Sun Publications building on Ogden Avenue in Naperville. Over the years, the facility has gone from one classroom to ten, as well as three sensory rooms, an occupational therapy gym, lunchroom, staff prep and meeting area and lounge, nurse’s office, and administrative offices. Today, preliminary plans are in place to expand the campus facility by developing some outdoor experiential gardens and an adapted playground.

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