PACTT’s Vision for the Future

FOUNDING MISSION

Thirty years ago, PACTT started as a school supporting a group of autistic students who were told they didn’t belong in a community school—PACTT disagreed and began to build programs with the mission of connecting people with autism to their communities. Working tirelessly to create programs that meet the needs of autistic children and adults, the agency has expanded to residential homes, vocational programs and a thriving therapeutic school. This growth has been exciting and now it is time to address the school facility itself, the original home of PACTT. What was a good founding building is no longer suitable to meet the needs of those we serve. Not only is the structure itself in disrepair and inadequate for today’s students, it also inhibits growth—growth that is essential to the expanding need for educational opportunities for autistic students in Illinois.

Building on our Mission

Our project is guided by our vision to advance human rights, expand opportunities, create deep and meaningful community connections, and effect change through our work. To begin this next phase of PACTT’s story of success, we engaged the Illinois Facilities Fund (IFF) to explore the feasibility of this project, including where to build a new school. What followed was an exciting process of discovery, engaging stakeholders to contribute to the concept of what a new Center on Autism could be as PACTT grows to meet the needs of autistic students and their families in Illinois.

Phase One emerges

The decision to build on our existing property was an easy one that will deepen our roots in Rogers Park. The next question; where to temporarily move our school during construction of the new facility? An extensive search of rental properties produced no viable options. In an incredible turn of good fortune, PACTT became aware of a 13,000 square foot facility just one block north of the school that not only would serve as an ideal temporary school, but would also ultimately be an excellent permanent home for PACTT’s adult day program, administration and other clinical services following completion of the new school. Building on our history of collaboration and an openness to opportunities, what started as simply building a new school became a vision of learning and support across two buildings and encompasses support over the full lifespan of the people we serve today and those we will serve in the future. PACTT purchased this property in late March 2023 with funding that had already been secured, but funding for the interior renovation is still needed to complete Phase One of the PACTT Vision. To date, 1.6M of the total budget of 2.5M has been secured.

State of the art education

Following completion of the Phase One renovation, PACTT will begin to secure the philanthropic support needed to construct a state of the art facility that represents PACTT’s dedication to its mission and programs. This new Center on Autism will honor our participants, staff, families, and community by providing an environment that embodies their values. This Center will not simply be a building, but a model for guiding communities across Illinois on how to support their members living with autism in a way that invites participation and prevents isolation. The new Autism Center will include:

• Therapeutic Day School – elementary and secondary education (ages 5-18)

• Transition Program - for post-graduation vocational training (ages 18-21)

• Behavioral Support Services & Early Intervention

• Training Space for Autism Professionals

• Community Spaces - to further enhance our community engagement

• Recreational Spaces - to support health and well-being for students