Sponsor Spotlight: Greenwich Autism Alliance Foundation
Students at the Archway Program learn about autism acceptance through Autism New Jersey’s Kids’ Guide to Autism Acceptance, helping build understanding, empathy, and inclusion in the classroom.
Thanks to the generous support of the Greenwich Autism Alliance Foundation, our Kids’ Guide to Autism Acceptance is reaching classrooms, libraries, and communities across New Jersey, helping students learn about autism in a way that’s simple, inclusive, and empowering.
Greenwich Autism Alliance is a nonprofit organization founded by Kelly and Bob Milazzo in 2007 to provide support for individuals with autism and their families. For at least a decade, the organization has sponsored the Kids’ Guide, a resource Kelly says disappears quickly at every event she attends. Autism New Jersey printed 15,000 copies of the Kids’ Guide this year.
“It’s such a great resource; it always flies off my table at whatever event we’re at,” said Kelly Milazzo, president of the Greenwich Autism Alliance. “It’s not just for the kids. I feel like everybody can get something out of it.”
The mission is personal for Kelly and Bob, whose son, Will has autism. Now 28, Will lives at home and works part time doing data analysis at his father’s company. He fills his schedule with the things he loves: ice hockey, gym workouts and NASCAR. He loves to plan family outings, which Kelly affectionally calls “Willadventures.”
“Will likes to keep us busy,” Kelly says, her voice warm with adoration.
Her work with Greenwich keeps her active, too. She often appears at conferences and fairs to keep the community informed about support and resources. The organization also holds an annual golf outing. Since its inception, Greenwich has contributed roughly $750,000 to Autism New Jersey, including their platinum sponsorship of the annual conference in Atlantic City. As part of their generosity, Greenwich has sent hundreds of parents and teachers from their area to the conference.
Kelly connects with Michelle, one of our Helpline team members at an autism information fair.
Kelly is especially committed to reaching parents in underserved parts of rural Warren County, where she lives.
“Residents of Warren County think there are no resources here,” Kelly said. “There’s so much more than what they think. I’m trying to make sure people know what’s available to them.”
That includes Autism New Jersey resources like the 800.4.AUTISM Helpline and all the free awareness and acceptance tools for registered Autism Ambassadors.
“We're honored to provide funding to Autism New Jersey for their statewide awareness and acceptance initiatives,” Kelly said.
To learn more about their mission, visit the Greenwich Autism Alliance Foundation.
