Every day, Keller Williams real estate agents help people in their communities undertake one of the biggest and most rewarding challenges in life: buying or selling a home. Several weeks ago, however, tens of thousands of Keller Williams agents across the U.S. and Canada put down their For Sale signs, turned off their cell phones, and logged off MLS. May 10 was not a day to buy or sell a house. May 10 was RED Day: a time set aside to give back to the community in an entirely different way.
Started in honor of Mo Anderson, the former music teacher who now serves on the Board of Keller Williams Realty, RED Day is a yearly initiative in which agents band together to Renew, Energize and Donate. Thousands of projects are undertaken at the local level, from greening up parks to serving the homeless to hosting blood drives. This year, Keller Williams Key Partners selected the Kansas City Autism Training Center as the recipient of its efforts.
“It’s just terrific you are helping us move to our new location,” says Susan Johnson of the KcATC, a learning center that provides early and intensive instruction for children diagnosed with ASD, or Autism Spectrum Disorder. Located in Prairie Village, the center serves children ages two and a half through twelve years old. “It’s remarkable to see the changes our teachers can make with these students,” says Johnson.
The past decade has seen a dramatic rise in the incidence of ASD. Today, one in 88 children in the United States is diagnosed with the disorder, which impairs social and communication skills and may cause repetitive behavior. Early intervention is crucial, and the demand for learning environments helmed by trained, licensed educators has skyrocketed. By moving to a facility double the size of its former location, KcATC will eventually be able to serve twice as many children. “We already have a waiting list,” says Johnson. “The need is definitely there.”
With the help of Keller Williams Key Partners, the center is now on its way to meeting that need. We are proud and honored to have played a part in KcATC’s continuing effort to serve our community.
