EVERETT — For those with developmental disabilities, life after high school can be lonely.
That’s how it was for Kathy Burke’s son before she got him involved at All Aboard. The nonprofit that offers activities and a place to socialize for adults with special needs.
All Aboard serves about 250 people across Snohomish County and has outgrown its building on Broadway.
“We’ve hit the wall on space,” said Burke, of Edmonds. “We see this program growing and growing.”
To accommodate the increasing number of clients, the nonprofit is raising money for a larger building. All Aboard hopes to raise $180,000 for a down payment on new space that is at least 3,000 square feet.
Volunteers have already raised about $75,000 by holding bake sales, craft fairs, car washes, art shows and other events the past two years.
Now they are hoping the community will pitch in. In November, the nonprofit launched a 60-day crowdfunding campaign. The organization is also looking for new volunteers and donated supplies.
Burke got involved with All Aboard after she met the founder, Gene Rogoway, at a Special Olympics event several years ago. Rogoway started the nonprofit in 2002 to provide his son, Mike, who has Down syndrome, something to do after he finished his schooling.
Rogoway convinced Burke to let her son, Andy, volunteer at All Aboard. Andy, now 26, has Asperger’s, an autism-spectrum disorder characterized by challenges with communication, social interaction and restrictive or repetitive behavior.
Andy started by reading stories to others at All Aboard. Now he helps people who use wheelchairs with activities such as bowling and card playing. He also takes on many other tasks around the nonprofit.
“He comes home and he’s so happy,” Burke said. “Doing his job is the most important thing in his life.”
After Rogoway’s death in 2011, volunteers decided to form a board of directors to keep All Aboard going. Burke, a retired customer service representative, serves on the six-member board.
She gives her time to the organization because it so profoundly changed her son’s life. Like many with developmental disabilities, Andy had trouble finding steady work after high school.
He was left without a lot to do. He spent much of his time in his bedroom, watching TV and playing video games by himself.
“It was very sad,” Burke said. “The problem is, when they don’t have a place to go, they lose touch with all their friends.”
It wasn’t until Andy got involved at All Aboard that he started to regain social connections. The nonprofit offers a variety of classes, such as cooking, exercise, bowling and karaoke. Most classes cost $10 and last two hours. There are long breaks to encourage socializing. The organization also has events, such as dances and a prom.
“The goal is for them to be able to get together with friends and have fun,” Burke said. “When you walk in, you’re greeted by many people. You get lots of hugs. It’s a cheerful, happy place where there’s a whole lot going on.”
For more information, go to allaboardwa.org, call 425-327-5533 or email info@allaboardwa.org.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.
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