Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - June 2022

J u n e 2 0 2 2 | Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S 23 Ernie Els: He Wants World-Class Autism Services, Not Golf, As His Legacy Submitted by Marlene Passell | Photos courtesy of Els For Autism In early April, World of Golf Hall of Famer and four-time major champion Ernie Els, his wife, Liezl, and publishing icon Marvin R. Shanken dug shovels into the ground to celebrate the beginning of the $7.1-million-dollar, 21,000-square-foot Stoops Family Foundation Adult Services building which will provide autism services to adults with autism. It is the latest addition to the state-of-the-art 26-acre The Els Center of Excellence® campus. The Els for Autism Foundation® provides a one-stop shop for people with autism and their families. The campus serves as an epicenter from where the foundation has made its services and support available around the globe through telehealth services, conferences, virtual programs and resources, shared programs (such as Ernie Els #GameON Autism® Golf), multi-language webinars, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. While Els is known for his achievements as a golfer, he is also known around the world as a champion for the autism community. And, nothing makes him prouder, except maybe his son, Ben, now 19, who inspired his journey to make an autism diagnosis easier for the family to navigate, from early diagnosis through their lifespan. The Els family moved from England to Jupiter a decade ago in search of the best services for Ben. What they found were excellent services, but ones that were scattered and difficult to find and navigate. With Shanken on board, the three created Els for Autism Foundation here with additional foundations in Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The campus offers services across six focus areas: adult services, education, therapy, research, education, and recreation. The new two-story Stoops Family Foundation Adult Services building provides a dedicated space for the Foundation’s adult programs and is home to the Foundation’s Adult Day Training Program, Work Experience Program, vocational and life skills training, mental health support and where employers will learn how to hire adults with autism. The building will be completed in 2023. But the Foundation is not finished yet. The strategic plan for the campus expansion includes capital fundraising to build a medical research facility, gymnasium/ cafeteria aquatic center, and athletic fields. The Jupiter campus is merely the epicenter of the organization’s vision to influence autism acceptance and inclusion worldwide, and they are doing just that. “When we started the Foundation, our goal was not only to have an impact on America but worldwide. Whatever practices we have here we’re able to spread across the world and help people no matter where they are if they have an internet connection,” said Liezl Els. “What I can tell you is don’t be fearful when you see your child is born with autism and is a little bit different than other kids. The joy and what you’re going to get out of that journey with that child will change your life for the better. That’s what it’s done for us. I cannot imagine our life without Ben,” said Els. And, despite his golf fame, Els said the autism work is his heart and soul. “A fellow golfer once said to me, ‘You know, one day people won’t remember as much about what you’ve done as a golfer but more as what you’ve done for autism’.” That would be really great.” From left: Marvin R. Shanken, co-founder of Els for Autism; Jeffrey Stoops, benefactor of new building; and Ernie Els From left: Ernie Els, Liezl Els, Aggie and Jeffrey Stoops (Benefactors of new Stoops Family Foundation Adult Services Building) CHARITY SPOTLIGHT