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Local nonprofit outlines housing plans for adults with autism; commissioners thanked for $20,000 support
Summary
Dylan's House told Mahoning County commissioners it has held educational events, distributed caregiver mini-grants and is planning two housing projects in Struthers and Boardman, with an expected year-end groundbreaking; the group thanked the commissioners for prior $20,000 county support.
Dylan's House, a Mahoning County nonprofit focused on adults with autism, told county commissioners on Monday that it has provided educational programming, caregiver mini-grants and is moving toward building two housing projects for autistic adults.
"Our mission is to enhance the lives of adults with autism who are Mahoning County residents," said Kevin Schope, executive director and co‑founder of Dylan's House. He said the group's educational events over the past two years have drawn "hundreds of individuals" and the organization partners locally with the Rich Center and the Autism Society.
The organization has awarded more than $20,000 in mini‑grants to caregivers over the past two years, Schope said, and raised more than $95,000 at a recent fundraiser at Penguin City that brought over 500 local residents. "Our biggest initiative is our housing initiative," Schope said. "We have two housing projects in Struthers and in Boardman that are going to be going underway. We will break ground by the end of the year." Amy Shope, co‑founder and executive director, spoke about the housing plans and the demand she hears from families seeking placements for adult children.
Dylan's House described the projects as intended to fill a gap in resources when autistic people transition to adulthood. The presenters said the projects grew out of parents' need for more local housing options; they recounted frequent calls from families seeking help placing adult children. Board member Leanne Johnson attended the meeting in support.
Commissioners were thanked for a prior $20,000 county donation; presenters characterized that support as important to their operations and thanked the board for it. The presenters asked commissioners and the community for continued support as the group moves from fundraising and pilot grants toward housing construction.
No formal action tied directly to the Dylan's House presentation was recorded in the meeting minutes portion heard in the transcript.
