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Easter Seals gets big boost

By WEEK Producer
February 22, 2012 Updated Feb 23, 2012 at 11:22 AM CDT

EAST PEORIA, Ill. -- A $12,000 grant will help fund a new autism program in Peoria.

During its VIP Campaign Luncheon, "Easter Seals Peoria-Bloomington" received a check today from Northwestern Mutual. Easter Seals will use the money to buy materials and supplies for a new "intensive therapeutic autism program."

The organization's leaders said it's designed to function through grants, and not state funds.

Jim Runyon, director of grants for Easter Seals Peoria-Bloomington said, "We kind of purposely did that. We know state monies are going to continue to shrink, so trying to rely heavily on any state funds for brand new programming is a terrible mistake so we're not going there."

The program has a capacity of 24 kids, ages 3 to 5 with autism. It opened in January at the organization's Peoria facility.

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