As a mother of three boys Val Young already had all she could handle when, at age 4, her middle son Derris was diagnosed with autism. Fortunately, with her parents by her side, Val had a support system  that allowed her to care for Derris and his brothers Derrick and John.

Although it was difficult to explain to two young boys that their brother was different and wasn’t always subject to the same rules, love prevailed and the family took care of each other. One of the biggest early hurdles was a lack of information and understanding. The resources that we have today weren’t available at the time and Val didn’t know where to turn. But rather than focus on her hardship and look for ways to receive, Val chose to find ways to give and trust in her faith.

In the process, Val began working with those who did not have homes and was shocked to find families raising children just like her own. Seeing these parents fighting poverty and the daily challenges of raising a child on the spectrum compelled Val to do something about it. In 2010 Val started U2LWA and began doing what she could to help.

Although it would be another 11 years before U2LWA would become an official nonprofit, Val never lost hope and never wavered in her mission. U2LWA is what it is today because of Val and those that supported and continue to support what she believes in. Nobody should be alone in their journey with autism and thanks to U2LWA nobody has to.