COVID-19 threatens survival of nonprofit helping people with autism in Park Ridge, Evanston, many other communities

Apr. 4--Since he was 7 years old, Zachary Bonk has found friends, support and education through the Park Ridge and Evanston-based autism center, Have Dreams.

But today Bonk, now 32, spends his days inside his Park Ridge home. The recreational activities, outings and vocational opportunities he enjoyed each week in Evanston have been suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"He wakes up every morning and says, 'No Have Dreams?'" his mother, Patti Bonk, said. "What's really hard about it is I can't tell him when he'll go back."

While elementary and high school students can safely expect their schools to still be there when the pandemic ceases, that isn't the case for clients of Have Dreams. The cash-strapped nonprofit organization has had to furlough many of its staff, cancel its major fundraiser, and see its income cease as programming is cancelled.

"Is it scary for us because it's so precarious? Yes," said Kris Johnsen, executive director and founder of Have Dreams, when asked if the organization, now in its 24th year, is in danger of closing its doors for good.

Cathy McCarthy, director of finance for the organization, also expressed concern about its future.

"How can we continue if we don't have revenue coming in?" she asked.

With an annual budget of roughly $1.9 million, Have Dreams is largely funded through program fees paid by families, donations, grants, and a major gala that takes place every two years, McCarthy and Johnsen said.

The gala typically brings in about $500,000, McCarthy explained, and it was scheduled to take place on April 22, but had to be cancelled completely due to the pandemic.

Serving children, adolescents and adults from 26 communities, Have Dreams was founded in 1996. In its mission statement, it aims to "help individuals with autism spectrum disorder learn, function independently and socialize so that they may realize their full potential and develop into contributing members of their communities."

Some of the ways it accomplishes this is through programs offering social skill development and activities for children, teens and adults; simulated work experience and internships for high school students and adults; and the Life SCILS Program for adults, which provides social, communication and independent living programs, including recreational opportunities.

Have Dream's youngest participant is 14 months old and its oldest is 42 years old, Johnsen said.

"One of the things that differentiates us is we serve people with autism spectrum disorders across the spectrum and across the lifespan," she said.

For now, Have Dreams has applied for help from the state, is in talks with a family foundation, and is considering whether a virtual gala can be held to raise funds in order to keep the organization going, Johnsen said. Donations also continue to be accepted through its website.

During the closure, Have Dreams is trying to connect with clients free of charge through online video and paper packages of activities, though these measures are not ideal, Johnsen said.

"It's not the same," she noted. "They don't want us to be on a screen. They want to see us in person and do the things they had so much fun doing and see their friends."

"Autism is a social isolating disorder, and people on the spectrum have trouble with communicating and social interactions," Johnsen added. "Now, they and their families are totally isolated, but we're doing everything we can to stay connected with them."

Even furloughed staff members are volunteering to help.

"I'm not surprised," Johnsen said of their desire to step in. "I'm pretty emotional about it because life is really hard for everybody right now and the depth of their caring is really impressive."

Johnsen said it will be "devastating" if Have Dreams is able to reopen, but without all of its staff.

"It takes about three years to train a really good autism professional," she said. "I know if we got back without them and had to start from the ground up, our kids would not have the quality they have now. That part is really scary to me."

Have Dreams has about 150 clients annually, Johnsen said. One of them is Tila Mims' 12-year-old son Allen Norris, who participates in a social skills program each week.

"They do music therapy, they do a cooking class and it's designed to make sure it's structured in a way that allows children who need more structure to participate," Mims, of Skokie, said.

She calls Have Dreams an "anchor" for her family and a place where children are welcomed and can just be themselves.

"It's a place we can go and not have to worry about being different," she said.

Patti Bonk, the mother of Zachary, said she hopes a major benefactor will step forward to help support Have Dreams and keep the programs available to those who benefit from them.

"It would be a real tragedy (if it closed)," she said. "There are few organizations like this and Have Dreams is a model for other organizations, so it would be really devastating."

jjohnson@chicagotribune.com

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