By Matlin Smith
msmith@lcsun-news.com @msmith_lcsun on Twitter
LAS CRUCES >> Marisa Cano described it as an explosion of "let's do more."
"Out of the woodwork, people are coming and finding us. I've seen a huge shift in how the community is perceiving (autism)," she said of Hearts of Autism, an endowment established in February 2010 through the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.
Co-founders Abel Covarrubias, Aprendamos Intervention Team CEO, and Estee Hafassa, a parent of an autistic child, saw a need in Doa Ana County to provide families with autistic children and relatives with resources, while educating the greater community about autism spectrum disorder, which is diagnosed once in every 88 children.
A couple poses for a photo at the 2013 masquerade ball event, one of Hearts for Autism's biggest annual fundraisers. This year's event will be held March 8 at the Grapevine Plaza. (Courtesy photo)
"Our vision is to really education the community and provide valuable resources to families who have a child or family member with autism," Covarrubias said. "I personally have family members with mental disabilities and the education and the support are instrumental."
Cano is the board coordinator and parent liaison of Hearts for Autism. She has two children with autism, ages 4 and 7.
"My favorite part is seeing how community members pull together in collaboration," she said. "They just need idea of what to do, and are so willing to do it, and (it's nice) to see a family benefit from that."
With the uptick in community support, Covarrubias said Hearts for Autism was able to expand with new support options for local families.
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Hearts for Autism offers local events, resources for those affected by autism