When it was time for Carolyn Dentz’s daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, to start thinking about middle and high school, Dentz wanted to find an alternative to a large public school. She knew her daughter would do better with one-on-one support at a place where she fit in. Dentz expressed her frustration to her daughter’s longtime Occupational Therapist, Jana Sanford-Heller, COTA/L, owner of Ride The Wave Therapy Services in St. Augustine. Sanford-Heller had also been noticing a huge gap in services for the teen population in our area, both on and off the spectrum. Together, in just a few short months, the women founded Independence Youth Center on Philips Highway near Nocatee.
“I want a place for my daughter to go to where she fits in and is accepted,” explains Dentz. “I want to know that her challenges are supported so that her strengths can shine. Sending her to a huge school and expecting her to fit into a neurotypical box just isn’t an option that I am willing to choose. I wanted to lend my skill set to assist in building a place where children like my daughter can find acceptance and, of course, independence.”
Started as a nonprofit organization so that they can accept funding and other assistance to make it affordable, Independence Youth Center will offer therapy services, a day program with guided virtual school, life skills training, mentoring, and support groups for families and teens both on and off the spectrum. “Everyone fits in here,” says Sanford-Heller. “Neurodiverse, LGBTQIA, on the spectrum, off the spectrum, or even those who just don’t fit the mold for traditional middle and high school, everyone is welcome and encouraged to reach out.”
www.independenceyouthcenter.com
