Night of Hope gala - The Alex and Ali Foundation

The Alex and Ali Foundation is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to empower and enhance the lives of young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities by providing opportunities for job skill development, vocational activities and meaningful community involvement.

The Alex and Ali Foundation started when a mother (Alex's mother, Jennifer Parker) noticed that as her son was nearing the end of high school, there were fewer resources for him to have access to an accommodating job and few companies willing to hire someone with a disability. The namesakes, Alex and Ali, have been best friends since childhood and both have autism. The Foundation was created to provide purpose and meaning to adults with developmental disabilities. These individuals are worthy and capable -- they just need to be given the opportunity to show the world that.

To make this happen, the Foundation started its first vocational training site, The Hope Gallery, in 2018 in Bargersville as a retail boutique to teach customer service, cashiering, and art forms (jewelry, mosaics, etc. weaving). We sell ice cream, candy, and handmade art made by our Team Members and other artisans with disabilities. Team Members also get to tend to a garden and take pride in harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

The Hope Gallery is named after Alex's youngest sister, Hope, who was born with a severe congenital heart defect. She suffered a stroke during one of her numerous surgeries during infantry leaving her to communicate using modified vocalizations and signs, along with an AAC device. Hope loved going to the Gallery to talk to customers and Team Members and pray for everyone's prayer requests. She passed away unexpectedly in 2020 at the age of 13.

In 2020, we opened the second vocational training site - Happy Hounds doggy daycare on the southside of Indy. Team Members help care for dogs, take them on walks, play with them, and provide them with lots of love and attention. Team Members help with basic grooming and and command training.

In 2022, we opened a second Hope Gallery location in Newburgh. The Hope Gallery Newburgh provides vocational training for 75 Team Members and partners with 50 disabled artisans across the US, Canada, and Israel to sell their items in our stores. Team Members learn weaving, mosaics, jewelry, and more in addition to customer service and cashiering.

We have served over 200 individuals with disabilities in our communities, providing confidence, job skills, social skills, and so much more!

Please join our gala as we fundraise to continue providing meaningful employment and job skill training for adults with disabilities in our community.