FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2025
Austin, MN – Beginning September 1, 2025, the Autism Friendly Austin (AFA) program will officially transition from the Hormel Historic Home (HHH) to LIFE Mower County. This collaborative move is designed to ensure continued growth, sustainability, and innovation in services for individuals with autism and their families in the Mower County area.
Since its founding, Autism Friendly Austin has been a vital community initiative under the leadership of the Hormel Historic Home. The program has offered sensory-friendly summer camps, monthly recreation nights, educational resources, and autism awareness training to promote inclusivity throughout the region. This transition to LIFE Mower County reflects a shared vision for expanding impact while honoring the legacy built at HHH.
“LIFE Mower County is honored to become the new home for Autism Friendly Austin,” said Dawn Helgeson, Executive Director of LIFE Mower County. “We recognize the incredible work done by the Hormel Historic Home to build and grow this program, and we are committed to continuing and expanding upon that work. As an organization focused on providing inclusive programming for individuals with developmental disabilities, this is a natural and exciting fit for our mission.”
Molly Lanke, Executive Director of United Way of Mower County, shared her support for the transition, stating: “United Way of Mower County is proud to support this thoughtful transition that will strengthen autism services in our community. We deeply appreciate the Hormel Historic Home's dedicated stewardship of the Autism Friendly Austin program over the years, creating vital camps, recreation nights, and community awareness initiatives that have made a real difference for families affected by autism. We're equally excited to see LIFE Mower County take on this important work. Their mission to expand opportunities and enrich lives for individuals with developmental disabilities makes them an ideal home for the program. This transition represents a commitment to expanded impact while maintaining the quality and care participants have come to trust. We look forward to seeing how autism programming continues to grow and serve our community under LIFE's leadership.”
In the coming months, both organizations will work closely together to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition. Families currently involved in Autism Friendly Austin programming can expect consistent communication and continued access to the services they know and value. LIFE Mower County plans to assess community needs and explore ways to further enhance offerings as part of this exciting new chapter.
For more information about the transition or upcoming programming, please contact LIFE Mower County at (507) 433-8994 or visit www.lifemowercounty.org.
Media Contact:
Dawn Helgeson
Executive Director, LIFE Mower County
Phone: (507) 473-4831
Email: [email protected]
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July 1, 2025
Austin, MN – Beginning September 1, 2025, the Autism Friendly Austin (AFA) program will officially transition from the Hormel Historic Home (HHH) to LIFE Mower County. This collaborative move is designed to ensure continued growth, sustainability, and innovation in services for individuals with autism and their families in the Mower County area.
Since its founding, Autism Friendly Austin has been a vital community initiative under the leadership of the Hormel Historic Home. The program has offered sensory-friendly summer camps, monthly recreation nights, educational resources, and autism awareness training to promote inclusivity throughout the region. This transition to LIFE Mower County reflects a shared vision for expanding impact while honoring the legacy built at HHH.
“LIFE Mower County is honored to become the new home for Autism Friendly Austin,” said Dawn Helgeson, Executive Director of LIFE Mower County. “We recognize the incredible work done by the Hormel Historic Home to build and grow this program, and we are committed to continuing and expanding upon that work. As an organization focused on providing inclusive programming for individuals with developmental disabilities, this is a natural and exciting fit for our mission.”
Molly Lanke, Executive Director of United Way of Mower County, shared her support for the transition, stating: “United Way of Mower County is proud to support this thoughtful transition that will strengthen autism services in our community. We deeply appreciate the Hormel Historic Home's dedicated stewardship of the Autism Friendly Austin program over the years, creating vital camps, recreation nights, and community awareness initiatives that have made a real difference for families affected by autism. We're equally excited to see LIFE Mower County take on this important work. Their mission to expand opportunities and enrich lives for individuals with developmental disabilities makes them an ideal home for the program. This transition represents a commitment to expanded impact while maintaining the quality and care participants have come to trust. We look forward to seeing how autism programming continues to grow and serve our community under LIFE's leadership.”
In the coming months, both organizations will work closely together to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition. Families currently involved in Autism Friendly Austin programming can expect consistent communication and continued access to the services they know and value. LIFE Mower County plans to assess community needs and explore ways to further enhance offerings as part of this exciting new chapter.
For more information about the transition or upcoming programming, please contact LIFE Mower County at (507) 433-8994 or visit www.lifemowercounty.org.
Media Contact:
Dawn Helgeson
Executive Director, LIFE Mower County
Phone: (507) 473-4831
Email: [email protected]
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