Letters

Last month, the Flying Point Foundation for Autism achieved a longtime goal: the creation of a safe, supportive space within our community at which individuals with autism may gather. The Point is at Southampton Youth Services, the town’s recreational center on Majors Path.

The foundation’s mission is to enrich the lives of those with autism through opportunity and understanding. The Point is a place for individuals with autism to gather, along with their peers, and to engage with the community at large and foster their understanding of a special population.

We hope that all SYS members get to know us, and we want to get to know you.

The idea for The Point started percolating when we realized that the adorable young campers we had at our first camp in 2010 grow up. We started to think about what they needed after aging out of school — and the result is The Point, what we hope will grow into a place where all feel welcome, valued and cherished.

In addition to the leadership of the board, and especially its president, Kerry Ann O’Connell, there are a number of people and businesses that helped us realize this goal.

First, SYS Executive Director Scott Johnson, and everyone on staff there, all of whom have given us a warm welcome.

Jen Going of Jen Going Interiors and her design partner, Stephn Czeck, were instrumental in the renovation. Jen understood what we were trying to do, the upbeat environment we wanted to create, plus called on her vendors for discounts and donations to the project.

A.J. Hackert of AJ Painting in Sag Harbor and his crew painted the entire room and all the doors and trim for free. If you’ve ever called a painter in the Hamptons then you know what a huge donation that is for us.

The Carpetman in Southampton did our beautiful floors, RLWIV Contractors did the kitchen cabinets, North Sea Plumbing hooked us up, and East End Locksmith has made our space secure. Gardens by Romi has made our outside area just beautiful, and Fowler’s Garden Center sent along a bunch of grasses to fill it out.

It truly does take a village, and we are grateful to everyone who helped make it happen (forgive me if I’ve left anyone off).

On a more personal note, I try to limit the details of my family’s challenges with autism, although my husband has sometimes chronicled them in these pages. Let’s just say that sometimes it’s over the top, but there is no one I’d rather be on this crazy adventure with than my husband, Tim. We know that whether it’s autism adventures, or otherwise, love always gets us through.

Kim Covell

Executive Director

Flying Point Foundation for Autism

Water Mill